Monday in the First Week of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 121 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
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Reading: Isaiah 4:2-6 (NLT)

But in that day, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious; the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of all who survive in Israel.

All who remain in Zion will be a holy people—those who survive the destruction of Jerusalem and are recorded among the living. The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains with the hot breath of fiery judgment.

Then the Lord will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night, covering the glorious land. It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain.
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Reading: Matthew 8:5-11 (NLT)

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 1nd I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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Prayer:

Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth: we turn to Your Son, Jesus Christ, for help and protection as we begin our day. Come, Lord Jesus!

+ Christ, You are the Daystar, powerfully dispelling our darkness: awaken our faith from sleep.
+ Reveal Your presence in the world through the lives of Christian men and women.
+ Come to create a new world, where justice and peace may find a home.
+ End the long night of our pride, and make us humble of heart.

Lord God: Give us the grace to be ever on the watch for Christ Your Son. When He comes and knocks at our door, let Him find us ready and waiting, joyfully proclaiming His glory.
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“The Glory of God” – Matt Papa

God of earth and sky and sea | Creation lives and moves in Thee | it’s all for your glory | Galaxies and worlds of light | Singing silent hymns of night | It’s all for Your glory | These will pass | These will fade away | In the end | there remains

Shining in splendor | Pure and forever enduring | The glory of God

God of joy in summer’s rain | God of sorrow, winter’s pain | It’s all for Your glory | God of time and history | Kingdoms rise and fall to Thee | It’s all for Your glory | Fame will pass | Riches fade away | In the light | Of Your face

Shining in splendor | Pure and forever enduring | The glory of God

Rising, our praises | For endless ages we’ll sing of | The glory of God

From all that’s passing | Lift up our eyes oh Lord | This is what we were created for | To see You on that day
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Blessing

As we make our hearts be ready for the King of Glory to come in; we pray, come dwell among us and be our peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!