Advent Daybook, 24: He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope
My Advent daybook for these 24 days of waiting. Join me, won't you? (see previous Advent daybook 2016 posts here)
Nightscapes: Paintings by Sarah Williams (source)
Christmas In The Room by Sufjan Stevens
all readings for the day: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Genesis 21:1-21; Galatians 4:21-5:1
“God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up.
God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up.
He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope,
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Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born. Sarah said, ‘God has blessed me with laughter and all who get the news will laugh with me!’
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Remember what Isaiah wrote: Rejoice, barren woman who bears no children, shout and cry out, woman who has no birth pangs, because the children of the barren woman now surpass the children of the chosen woman.
Isn’t it clear, friends, that you, like Isaac, are children of promise?”
prayer for today:
“Shepherd of Israel, may Jesus, Emmanuel and son of Mary, be more than just a dream in our hearts. With the apostles, prophets, and saints, save us, restore us, and lead us in the way of grace and peace, that we may bear your promise into the world. Amen.”
Give a secret gift to someone you know who has had a very difficult year.
(see all Advent daybook posts from 2015 here)