Advent Daybook 4: Sojourner
Pray: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus as I sit in your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look: Mary and Joseph enter the stable in Bethlehem. From original lithograph circa 1870. - source
Listen*: See the Traveler, Sara & Ruby Groves - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube
Read**: Psalm 119:1-24, Amos 3:12-4:5; 2 Peter 3:1-10; Matthew 21:23-32
Excerpts:
"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."
*
“ 'Listen and bring witness against Jacob’s family' — this is God’s Word, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! 'Note well! The day I make Israel pay for its sins, pay for the sin-altars of worship at Bethel. The horned altars will all be dehorned and scattered around. I’ll tear down the winter palace, smash the summer palace—all your fancy buildings. The luxury homes will be demolished, all those pretentious houses.'
God’s Decree.
'Listen to this, you cows of Bashan grazing on the slopes of Samaria. You women! Mean to the poor, cruel to the down-and-out! Indolent and pampered, you demand of your husbands, ‘Bring us a tall, cool drink!’
'This is serious—I, God, have sworn by my holiness! Be well warned: Judgment Day is coming!' "
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"Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment."
*
“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’
“The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.
“The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.
“Which of the two sons did what the father asked?”
They said, “The first.”
Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him."
- Psalm 119:19-24 (ESV) * Amos 3:13-15, 4:1 * 2 Peter 3:8-10 * Matthew 21:28-32 (MSG)
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."
Savor the nativity
From Sarah Quezada's series, Advent Refuge: Seeking Safety With the Holy Family:
"Did Mary and Joseph walk alone (and pregnant) to Bethlehem? Would no one really make space for them once they arrived? How did they respond when their child's life was in danger?
I was blown away the first time I learned that the idea of Mary and Joseph walking alone to Bethlehem is a distinctively Western way of reading the Bible. It would have made sense at the time to be traveling in a large caravan of family members. It would've been safer.
Join this 5-part Advent series where we consider how Mary and Joseph nurtured and protected the Christ child and how it can help us connect to the current reality of people on the move seeking hope, love, joy, and peace today."
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.
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook Explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2018 posts here.
* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Advent 2019. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’
** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).