Advent Daybook, 6: My God, My God
An Advent daybook for these 24 days of prayerful expectation. Join me, won't you?
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2018 posts here.
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: A Senegalese woman kneels in front of a grave, 2017
A Senegalese woman kneels in front of a grave to mark the 15th anniversary of the sinking of the ferry, Joola. (2017), AFP/GETTY IMAGES (source)
Listen: “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People ” from Advent & Christmas 2015, The Many (lyrics)
Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Advent Carols & Hymns 2018. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. ...
Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.’”
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”The Lord has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples. The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people:
’It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?’ declares the Lord God of hosts.”
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”Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”
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”From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!”
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:
Taken from Evening Prayers For Every Day of the Year by Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
“I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.” Psalm 22:22, NIV
”Lord our God, Almighty Father in heaven, we stand before you as your children, whom you want to protect through the need of our time, through all sin and death. We praise you for giving us so much peace in an age full of trouble, and for granting us the assurance of your help. Even when we suffer, we do not want to remain in the darkness of suffering but want to rise up to praise and glorify you. For your kingdom is coming; it is already at hand. Your kingdom comforts and helps us and points the way for the whole world, that your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. ”
Give
Find joy in giving a simple gift to a friend or stranger you’d like to bless.
Is there someone you want to bless this weekend? Bake something, pick up a few extra groceries, a bouquet of flowers, a loved possession you choose to give away to someone else (e.g., favorite books), or make something.
Here's a collection of some of my favorite ideas for homemade gifts - simple, inexpensive, and thoughtful.
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)