First sunday of advent

Let us walk in the light of the Lord

Breath prayer: “holy light” “lead me”
   (while breathing in speak "holy light," and while exhaling speak "lead me")


Many peoples shall come and say, 
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob; 
 that we may learn of God’s ways and that we may walk in the paths God sets before us.’ 
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 
God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
                                                                                              ~ Isaiah 2: 3-5 (full reading 2: 1-5)
              
            May we mark this first day of Advent in ways that prepare our hearts and minds, our energy and our focus. This year may we be mindful of the precious gift these days can bring.

            In these days we are invited to set aside what our patterns have been. Even as our culture pushes and prods us forward to the 25th, may our practice be one of preparation, of intentionality, of welcoming in God’s faithful lovingkindness.

            What is yearning in you this year? What is calling you to step outside the hustle and bustle and intentionally wait instead? Who are you seeking? What gift awaits you this year?

            For me I long to breathe. My spirit is weary as I begin these Advent days. And this weariness comes, I’m sorry to say from pushing against the river. Too often in this past year I have been on a merry-go-round and I haven’t been able to find the “off switch.” This Advent season brings this gift:  “Stop. Stop and listen and lean into and wait. Just stop.”

            So now, today, let us begin. Let us walk in the light of God’s presence. May these upcoming days serve as a welcome companion, as a guiding light to all that can bring us renewal and restoration.  Come, now is the time to walk in the light of the Lord.

Prayer: Ever-loving God, may the yearning of our waiting draw our hearts closer to you. We pray in your holy name, Amen.

~ thank you, Susie for sharing your picture

(This is the first of 25 daily meditations for this Advent Season. Each day will have a reading, reflection, breath prayer, one of Susie's pictures and then end with a prayer for the day. I'm glad to send you the first week's readings if you'll email me at lesleybrogan57@gmail.com. The entire series will be available for you to download for a small fee)

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