Advent Week 2
Sunday December 6, 2020
In both the Gospel of Matthew and Isaiah, a messenger appears as a sign from God, heralding a new era. In each passage, the words “do not be afraid” appear… offering a clue that the messenger was referencing something that induced fear in the recipient. A new way of being together, of relating and loving takes courage–giving up the present order, so that a better day can be born.
Holy One,
we thank you for the glimpses we catch
of your gift of daring love.
Even in the midst of fear,
of challenge, of struggle–
even when we cannot yet see a better day
when we will act
like the human family we are,
ignite the flame of love within us,
that we might glow with its brilliance
from the inside out. Amen.
(Light the candle of Love and relight the candle of Hope.)
Read Isaiah 7:1-14 and Matthew 1:1-25
Litany of Love
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 that daring to
love each other as God loves us is a faithful response.
Hear these statements of belief from members of our own congregation:
Holy is the ground we stand on, holy is the silence
We listen for the echoes of Your love.
Sculpted by the Master’s hands we yearn to be held and loved
We hunger for the embrace of Your love.
In the beauty of a blue sky or the cold of the rain
We stand in wonder and awe of Your love.
Come Lord Jesus, come
We welcome you in love.
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 love 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.