Advent 2022: Christmas Day

Christmas day Prayer from Anglican Book of Common Prayer  Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;… Continue reading Advent 2022: Christmas Day

Advent 2022 week 4

The pathway to peace Prayer from Anglican Book of Common Prayer  Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us. As we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us, through Jesus Christ… Continue reading Advent 2022 week 4

Advent 22-Week 3

Joy of the beginning Prayer from Anglican Book of Common Prayer  O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers, the prophets, to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the… Continue reading Advent 22-Week 3

Exiles, still

O come Emmanuel, our glorious hope Veni, veni Emmanuel  Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, Nascetur pro te, Israel! Music holds listeners in ways that words often cannot. Throughout history, music has continually reflected legacy, loss, longing, love, and lament. Biblical songs appear as early as the Exodus (Exodus 15) and continue through John's revelation (Revelation 15). The… Continue reading Exiles, still

Advent 2022-week two

Week of December 4 The Preparation for the Kingdom Prayer from Anglican Book of Common Prayer Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, learn, mark, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace… Continue reading Advent 2022-week two

Advent 2022-week one

Week of November 27 The Promise of Hope Isaiah 55 Prayer from Anglican Book of Common Prayer  Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day,… Continue reading Advent 2022-week one

Justice, Mercy, and Humility

Gratitude requires all three. Thanksgiving and Advent are upon us. Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to look at the past and the present with gratitude for the good in our lives. Advent points us forward to the new year living under the new covenant with God and to the coming of the Lord in glory.  We… Continue reading Justice, Mercy, and Humility

Still, Advent

Christmas is just days away; the season of expectant waiting is coming to an end for this year. The culmination of Advent, the Incarnation of God into human form, bursts forth in songs of wonder, adoration, and joy. The first coming of Jesus we celebrate with gifts, food, and family visits that include a trip… Continue reading Still, Advent

The Greatest Grace

Thoughts about Advent and Incarnation Part one The coming of the Promise. Fulfillment of prophecy in a mystery of yes and not yet. A baby born of a virgin on a not-so-silent night who grew up and changed the world, even to the marking of the calendar days. BC (before Christ) and AD (anno Domini)… Continue reading The Greatest Grace