Advent Devotional, Week 1
Adapted from Every Moment Holy 2022 Advent Journal. Copyright 2017 Douglas McKelvey.
Luke 2:10-12
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.”
A Liturgy to Mark the Start of the Christmas Season
As we prepare our house for the coming Christmas season,
we would also prepare our hearts for the returning Christ.
You came once for your people,
O Lord, and you will come for us again.
Though there was no room at the inn
to receive you upon your first arrival,
We would prepare you room
here in our hearts
and here in our home,
Lord Christ.
As we decorate and celebrate, we do so to mark
the memory of your redemptive movement into
our broken world, O God.
Our glittering ornaments and Christmas trees,
Our festive carols, our sumptuous feasts—
By these small tokens we affirm
that something amazing has happened
in time and space—
that God, on a particular night,
in a particular place, so many years ago,
was born to us, an infant King, our Prince of Peace.
Our wreaths and ribbons and colored lights,
our giving of gifis, our parties with friends—
these have never been ends in themselves.
They are but small ways in which we repeat
that sounding joy first proclaimed by angels
in the skies near Bethlehem.
In view of such great tidings of love announced
to us, and to all people, how can we not be moved
to praise and celebration in this Christmas season?
As we decorate our tree, and as we
feast and laugh and sing together,
we are rehearsing our coming joy!
We are making ready to receive the one
who has already, with open arms, received us!
We would prepare you room
here in our hearts
and here in our home,
Lord Christ.
Now we celebrate your first coming, Immanuel,
even as we long for your return.
O Prince of Peace, our elder brother,
return soon. We miss you so!
Amen.
RESPOND
What does it look like to prepare your heart for the advent season?
How do you navigate the highs and the lows of a societal celebration in the daily rhythm of life?
How can you begin to set the table for the spiritual reverence of the coming weeks?
Optional: Use a journal to respond by writing your own prayer.
