Advent Week 3
Sunday December 13, 2020
This week we turn to Luke’s writing which is an account in two acts: the Gospel biography of Jesus and then the story of the early church–the “Jesus community.” Whether you were a Jew or Gentile in those days, deciding to become a part of this illegal, early Christian movement could bring punishment for your allegiance. Surely the message in both Luke and Isaiah that the downcast, lowly, and oppressed would rise up is a welcome and inspirational account. Like the Jewish exiled people of Isaiah’s time and like the early Christians, we also sometimes wonder where God is in our suffering. We long to hear the promise that a reason for joyful praise is the good news on the way!
Holy One,
we thank you for the glimpses we catch
of your gift of the depths of joy.
Even in the midst of fear,
of challenge, of struggle–
even when we are not sure of your presence,
ignite the flame of joy within us,
that we might glow with its brilliance
from the inside out. Amen.
(Light the candle of Joy and relight the candles of Hope and Love.)
Read Isaiah 57:14-19 and Luke 1: 1-4; 26-56
Litany of Joy
In times when humanity disappoints,
perhaps when even our own thoughts and behaviors disappoint,
it is an important act to call out, name and claim
the consequences of our wrongs.
And in times of distress, it is a prophetic act to call out, name and claim
our belief in the promise of joy.
Hear these statements of belief from members of our own congregation:
Hear the good news of Joy, Emmanuel is coming
On the hills or in the valleys, God is with us.
Hear the good news of Joy, that a child is to be born
In our slumber and in our work, God is with us.
Hear the good news of Joy, that the angels sang so long ago
To Mary so meek and mild, and to us is Joy foretold
The ancient song still echoes on, of peace and joy to all the world.
Benediction
We wait for justice
but we do not wait to work for change;
We wait for restored health
but we do not wait to work towards healing;
We wait for wholeness
but we do not wait to work at binding brokenness;
We wait for peace
but we do not wait to work to eliminate hatred.
Go into your lives humming the tunes that keep that joy alive in you and that spur you on in your work of justice and reconciliation. Raise your voices and say, “Do not be afraid!” Amen!
Adapted from Worship Design Studio materials by Marcia McFee.
Used With Permission.
Read other Advent 2020 Devotionals or download the book as a PDF.