Below are some suggested readings, reflections and prayers, offered for our devotional use and spiritual benefit this Advent season, and to prepare for the second Advent Sunday service, which will focus more on Peter’s words, “….As you hasten the day…..”
- Monday, Dec. 4: Isaiah 40: 1-11: Some of these words are familiar from some Christmas carols, and from Handel’s Messiah. They are words of comfort and hope for the Hebrew people looking down the road of a long, dispiriting exile in Babylon, after which God promises a regathering and a restoration.
- In what ways does Jesus fulfill the promises of this passage?
- When and how have you experienced any of the comforts and consolations promised in this passage?
“In prayer we must not seek the consolations of God, but the God of consolations” by St. Francis de Salles.
- Tuesday, Dec. 5: Psalm 85:8-13: These words are God’s response to people’s prayers for the restoration of Israel.
- What must people do so that “God’s glory might dwell in our land,” (v.9) and to “prepare the way for God’s steps (v.13)?”
- Is there any relationship, or any action to which you must attend in order “to prepare the way for God’s steps?”
“May the presence in our midst of the One who is to come, your Beloved Son, give us courage and preserve us from the degradation of sin.” From the Order of St. Benedict
- Wednesday, Dec. 6: Luke 1:5-17; 57-66: Like another prophet (Jeremiah 1:5), John was foreseen and called by God for a certain mission even before his birth.
- Have you ever thought of yourself as being similarly known, called, blessed and commissioned by God?
- If not, why not? If so, for what?
“…lead us to repent according to John’s preaching and, after his example, constantly to speak the truth, boldly to rebuke vice, and patiently to suffer for the truth’s sake..” from Book of Common Prayer
- Thursday, Dec. 7: Mark 1:1-8
- Why do you think John the Baptist had to precede Jesus at his first coming, and prepare people for it?
- How are we, the church, like John the Baptist before Christ’s return?
“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… Amen.” Book of Common Prayer
- Friday, Dec. 8: 2 Peter 3: 8-15a: These words, both frightening and comforting, reflect the biblical expectation of a final day of reckoning, renewal and restoration, called “The Day of the Lord,” going at least as far back as the Old Testament prophets Amos and Zephaniah. This was in contrast to the belief of Israel’s neighbors, that history was circular, going nowhere of any value. Peter here is not trying to frighten his friends as much as he seeks to give them comfort and courage in the face of persecution, opposition and public shaming for their faith.
- Despite the bad news in this passage, what’s the good news?
- What difference does or might this good news make in your life, here and now?
- How do you think we mortals might “hasten the day” of Christ’s coming?
“Christ’s first coming was hidden and humble; his third will be visible to all and glorious; his second (to each of us, personally) is hidden but also glorious…because he is enlightenment and wisdom for the soul; invisible, yet he is seen, immaterial, yet perceived!”
Guerric of Igny, 12th C. French monk