Advent Week 4
Sunday December 20, 2020
The “great light” prophesied by Isaiah in today’s text is echoed in the first strains of John’s Gospel of good news: the light that brings peace–that saves the people from all that would extinguish it–has been there from the beginning. The Word is made flesh and dwells among us. This reign is now… will we believe it? Will we continue to put flesh on it, embodying the peace meant for all humanity?
Holy One,
we thank you for the glimpses we catch
of your gift of peace on earth.
Even in the midst of fear,
of challenge, of struggle–
even when we aren’t sure that
goodwill among us can be found,
ignite the flame of peace within us,
that we might glow with its brilliance
from the inside out. Amen.
(Light the candle of Peace and relight the candles of Hope, Love and Joy.)
Read Isaiah 9:2-7 and John 1:1-18
Litany of Peace
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 peace for the world.
Hear these statements of belief from members of our own congregation:
When I look to the sky and feel the wind blowing by, I know peace.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
When I am gripped by fear and life seems fragile, let me seek peace.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
When I fall to my knees and do not know what to believe,
let me pray for peace.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Renew and restore us to yourself and to each other,
and let your peace be born anew.
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 peace 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.