Invitation and Preparation
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us
(Silence)
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, merciful and gentle: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your light has shone in our darkened world through the child-bearing of blessed Mary; grant that we who have seen your glory may daily be renewed in your image and prepared like her for the coming of your Son, who is the Lord and Savior of all. Amen.
Listen and Receive
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:18-20
May the Word of God rest gently on our hearts, that when our hearts break the Word of God may flow in.
(Silence)
Reflect and Respond
The heavenly host has glorified God across the skies and proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. These same shepherds have come and worshipped the Christ child. Wonder and awe have filled the town. Yet, in all of the joy and noise, Mary finds quiet to ponder all of these things and treasure them in her heart.
We find ourselves in this Advent journey only a few days before Christmas. We can easily lose ourselves in the joyful celebrations or in the stress of the preparations. We can become overwhelmed by worry or grief in this time of memories and expectations.
I wonder, how might you find moments of quiet in the busy-ness and chaos of this season? What might you find to treasure and ponder in your heart?
Blessed and Sent
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
In this season of light, may your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.