Advent Daybook, 1: Redemption Is Near
An Advent daybook for these 24 days of prayerful expectation. Join me, won't you?
For an introduction to this series read this post: Advent Daybook explained.
Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.
Look: Adoration of the Name of Jesus, El Greco,
(source)
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“‘Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.’”
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“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.””
Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 1).
Pray:
“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”
Do:
Light
Enjoy the increase of light as Christmas approaches.
If you haven't done a single thing yet to get ready for Advent, you are exactly on time. That's the beauty of a season of preparation like Advent. It's a gradual, unfolding story. Today, gather four or five candles in a special place in your house you can come back to each day of Advent. Light one candle this week and add another candle each of the following weeks until you have four burning.
You might also enjoy: A few simple ways to decorate for Advent
If you don’t receive blog posts via email already, Advent is a great time to start!
(see all Advent Daybook posts from 2017 here.)