Come, let us walk in the light: Advent Daybook 4
An Advent daybook for these weeks of prayerful expectation.
Pray: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus and more like the true self you've created as I savor your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look: Sho Shibuya - Source
Listen*: Drive Out the Darkness, The Porter's Gate (feat. Latifah Allatas & Paul Zach) - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube
Read**: Psalm 119:1-24; Psalm 12-14; Isaiah 2:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20; Luke 20:19-26
Excerpts:
"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors."
*
“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.” The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
Yo u, O Lord, will keep them;you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man."
*
"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?"
*
"The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord."
*
"The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."
*
"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy."
*
"The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.... But he perceived their craftiness... And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent."
*
"Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."
- Psalm 119:18-24 * Psalm 12:5-8 * Psalm 13:1-2 * Isaiah 2:1-5 * Psalm 14:2-3 * 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 19-20 * Luke 20:19-20, 23a, 26 * Psalm 14:7 (ESV)
Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Prayers of the People (Form VI)
On Wednesdays, through Advent, we’ll practice an intercessory prayer method called “Prayers of the People”. This comprehensive format of call and response guides us through each sphere of our world with specific prayer. If you’re praying with a friend or family member, one of you can read the first part (the bidding) and one can read the second part (the response).
“In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For our church leaders; and all other ministers; For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation.
Silence
Add your own requests and petitions: ____________.
Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
Silence
Add your own thanksgivings: ________________.
We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We think of all who have died in Christ, and thank you that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silence
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. Alleluia!”
Do: If you own more than one nativity set, consider combining them all into a caravan.
Thanks to author and advocate Sarah Quezada for sharing this idea and photo from her friend: “I shared this week a glimpse of my friend Katie's mantel, where she's combined her nativity sets to create a caravan, similar to the one Mary and Joseph would have likely traveled with to Bethlehem."
You might also enjoy: Sarah’s excellent weekly newsletter, The Road Map (subscribe here). Sarah has become my go-to source for a gracious, biblical perspective for justice and mercy for refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers at and within our nation's borders.
These daily devotional posts are available to those who subscribe at the Daybook ($5 a month) level.
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook Explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2019 posts here.
* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Advent 2020: Gracious Invitation. Add it to your account by clicking right clicking on the three dots and selecting "Save to Library".
** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year B of the Book of Common Prayer 2019 (Anglican Church of North America). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 1).