Scripture: Isaiah 9:6
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Thought for the Day: I offer you these words on the Season of Advent from Henri Nouwen:
Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace, the one who doesn’t cling to his divine power… Where is this peace to be found? The answer is clear. In weakness. First of all, in our own weakness, in those places of our hearts where we feel most broken, most insecure, most in agony, most afraid. Why there? Because there our familiar ways of controlling our world are being stripped away; there we are called to let go from doing much, thinking much, and relying on our self-sufficiency. Right there where we are weakest the peace which is not of this world is hidden… Claim that peace that remains unknown to so many and make it your own. Because with that peace in your heart you will have new eyes to see and new ears to hear and gradually recognize that same peace in places you would have least expected.
Tomorrow, we begin the season of Advent. It is the same thing that has happened for centuries, but just because it is a part of the Christian routine does not mean it must be routine. Let it be the unexpected power that it was that first Christmas adventure. Let it announce again its message of peace in our weakness and places of insecurity. Let it be a message of Good News like never before.
Prayer: For your message preparing to be born anew, we look and listen. O God of the Incarnation, continue to find places of revelation like a feeding trough in an insignificant town among a forgotten people. It is such places that help to communicate the message of love, mercy and compassion. Amen.
BEGIN THE NEW CHURCH YEAR IN WORSHIP
Advent Begins Tomorrow
