Tuesday, November 30, Third Day of Advent

Tuesday, November 30

Isaiah 64:1 Open heavens

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

The whole world waits for God’s coming. But how does one prepare? How does one get ready? As we begin this first week of Advent together, sinking our toes into this idea of giving something away every day, these are the questions we’ll be asking and working to answer. Our hope and prayer is that as we “give away” each day change will happen in our lives and in the lives of those around us, that quite literally the heavens will open.

I invite you today to think of someone you have not heard from in a long time. Maybe you can write them a note, send an email or remember them in your prayers. As you write or pray, imagine this person being lifted into God’s arms of love. Offer thanks for that person and the ways in which your life has been blessed through them.

Blessings. 

Rich  

This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give.

        ...Give yourself this Christmas!   (Peter Mayer)

Monday, November 29, Second Day of Advent

Monday, November 29

Isaiah 11:1-10 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=158040066

Little acts of justice

I hope you will spend some time with this wonderful text from Isaiah today. It speaks of justice, justice that will change who we are and everything about the world in which we live. God’s justice is rooted in righteousness and faithfulness. It sees each and every human being for who we really are—children of God! I’ve heard it said that the most basic act of justice is to treat each person as a person. Whether that person is dressed in a suit in an office or holding a "help me" sign on a street corner, he or she is God’s child, a precious gift to this world. Maybe you will have a chance this week to practice a little justice, noticing someone you may not have normally noticed, speaking to someone you’ve never spoken to, praying for that person or family you hear about on the news. Little acts of justice change our lives and this world.

Blessings.

Rich

This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give. Give yourself this Christmas!

                                                                                             (Peter Mayer)

Devotion: Sunday, November 28, Advent Day One

Sunday, November 28th

Exodus 4:1-17 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=157970686 

What is that in your hands?

God asked Moses a simple question as Moses whined about not being the person to do God’s work, “What is that in your hands?” That’s a question I hope each of us prayerfully asks of ourselves over and over again through these 27 days of Advent. What are the tools, the gifts, the blessings that God has given to me, to us to help others? Moses had a shepherd’s staff in his hands that would prove central to his work as he approached Pharaoh and eventually led the Hebrew people out of Egypt. What do you have in your hands that might make a difference in someone else’s life today?

Advent Blessings.

Rich

This Christmas, give the gift that only you can give. Give yourself this Christmas!

                                                                                                       (Peter Mayer)

27/12 An Advent Adventure

27/12!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Advent 2010

Advent is a season of anticipation and waiting. We wait for something we sense is already somehow waiting for us: something already present, and yet, something waiting, yearning, longing to be born fresh and anew for and in each of us. It’s an expectant waiting we practice, involving not so much will as willingness—a willingness to receive the new, the unexpected. It requires a decision to be open to the ways God is and will be at work in our lives. Advent is an adventure and we have a part to play -- waiting, opening, staying watchful, being prepared to receive. Something new is coming. Will we be ready to receive it?

This year, I want to invite you to share in a community effort to make Advent a real time of preparing to receive God’s most precious gift. “27/12,” is rather simple, for the 27 days of Advent , November 28- December 24, each of us is invited to give away something each day. A hug, a note, a smile, your time and attention—it’s not about spending money, it is about giving yourself. Some of our giving should be well-planned and intentional, some should be spontaneous as opportunities arise. Some of our connections will be up close and in person, some should be anonymous. It’s not about us. It is about giving. Our hope, our prayer, our intention is to prepare our hearts and our world to receive the magnificent gift God is waiting to share.

Then, on Christmas Day our focus will change just a bit from preparation to active receiving. What does it mean to receive the love, joy and peace that God offers and that we celebrate each year in the Christ Child? Each day throughout the 12 days of Christmas you will be invited in prayer, thought and deed to better understand, receive and share God’s most precious gift.

Our 27/12 adventure will be supported by daily devotions, a blog and Facebook page, all accessible through our website. Hard copies of the devotions will also be available.

Please join us and invite family and friends to join too as we wait in active preparation to receive and be made new. O come, O come, Emmanuel! 

Grace and Peace, 

Rich