Second Week of Advent: Peace
Second Week of Advent: Peace
(December 7-13)
First Reading–Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Meditate on the passage
Consider: To where do you look for peace? Imagine what peace will be like in God’s Kingdom. Write down some of the things you imagine; tell God about these longings.
Prayer
Intercession: pray for the children of our church, eastern Kentucky, the afflicted in our city
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer:
Merciful God, who sent your messengers, the prophets, to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer
Benediction:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace.
Second Reading- Psalm 137:1-6
1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
Meditate on the passage
Consider: Do you ever feel like you cannot sing to God? What is your heart longing for in those moments of absence?
Hymn- “O, Come All Ye Unfaithful”
O come, all you unfaithful
Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone
O come, barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
O come, bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come, taste of His perfect love
O come, guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done
He’s the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
So come, though you have nothing
Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done
Meditate upon, listen to, & sing the hymn
Prayer
Lament: be honest with God about the pain, disappointment, and loss in your life; plead with him to “Come, Jesus…drive out the darkness.”
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer:
O God, the author of peace and lover of unity, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely
trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer
Gari Melchers, The Nativity
Consider the Painting: how does this rendition of the Nativity compare to others you’ve seen? Which do you consider more accurate?
He, through whom time was made, was made in time; and He, older by eternity than the world itself, was younger in age than many of His servants in the world; He, who made man, was made man; He was given existence by a mother whom He brought into existence; He was carried in hands which He formed; He nursed at breasts which He filled; He cried like a babe in the manger in speechless infancy–this Word without which human eloquence is speechless!
-Augustine
“In our world too, a stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”
-C.S. Lewis
