Advent Devotional, Week 4
Adapted from Every Moment Holy 2022 Advent Journal. Copyright 2017 Douglas McKelvey.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.
A Liturgy for Enjoying a Christmas Tree
O Immanuel, we would find in our traditions
these reminders of the wonders of your love:
First, let this fragrant tree, cut down
and then raised beneath our roof,
remind us how once upon a time,
the High King of Heaven consented to
be cut off from the glories that were his birthright,
and descended instead to
dwell with us in a broken world, beset by harm and evil.
Praise to you, Immanuel!
Next, let the hard wood of the trunk
and the outstretched branches remind
us how that same Heavenly King who
had entered our world on that distant
night, would soon act to redeem his
creation and his people in it,
though it would require the stretching out of his
arms upon a cross of wood—
his death for our life.
Praise to you, Immanuel!
Then, let these evergreen boughs
be a reminder of his mighty triumph
over death and hell, of his resurrection
unto a life eternal which will never fade—
an eternal life which he has also secured
for us. There is no greater gift!
Glory to you, Immanuel!
Worthy are you, O Lamb of God,
to receive all glory, honor, and praise!
Glory to you, Lord Christ!
RESPOND
In the “eye of the storm” of the Christmas season—somewhere in the midst of grief and loss, celebration and giving - there is quiet. Perhaps this was how Mary and Joseph felt the first time Jesus heard Mary’s heartbeat as he laid upon her chest and closed his eyes to sleep. The labor was over, the shepherds had yet to arrive—quiet was underscored with the hum of livestock settling into a night of rest.
Have you found moments of quiet in these weeks? Maybe by the fire late at night, or sitting at the dinner table on a particularly calm evening, or just catching the lights of the Christmas tree in the corner and staring for a moment. What have you learned in the peace of quiet this year? This month?
Optional: Use a journal to respond by writing your own prayer.
