Advent Devotional, Week 3

Adapted from Every Moment Holy 2022 Advent Journal. Copyright 2017 Douglas McKelvey.

Matthew 18:20
”For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

A Liturgy for a Purposeful Gathering

And so we will be gathered,
uniquely in all of history, we particular
people in this singular time and place.
Accomplish your purposes among us, O God.
Tune our hearts to the voice of your Spirit.
Wake us to be present to you and to one
another in these shared hours we are given.
For it is you, O Lord, who have
so gathered us from our various places,
and you alone who know our hearts
and our needs.

Among us are some who arrive anxious,
some who are lonely,
some who suffer pain or sorrow.
May we in our joys find grace
to enter the sorrows of others.

Among us are some who arrive rejoicing,
Hearts made light by good news,
good health, glad anticipation.
May we in our sorrows find grace
to embrace the joys of others.

Let us prize these moments and care for one another deeply—
for each of us, and our relationships to one another,
are precious and eternal.

Breathe upon our gathering, O Spirit of God.
Grant each of us a place to humbly receive
and to faithfully serve, that we might know
in this brief gathering a foretaste
of that greater communion yet to come.

O Father, enlarge our hearts.
O Spirit, expand our vision.
O Christ, establish your kingdom among us.
Be at work even now, O Lord.

May your will, in us, in these hours,
be accomplished.

Amen.

RESPOND

Last week, we acknowledged the losses that are felt, perhaps heavier than usual, during this season. But what about the gains from this year? Relationships, circumstances, community celebrations, laughter, events. List some things God has given you this year, no matter how small, and reflect on how the presence of those things can be celebrated with joy and thanksgiving during advent.

Optional: Use a journal to respond by writing your own prayer.