Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.
REFLECTION: Written by Allan Anderson
All Christians are aware of the Advent season. The story of Jesus’s impending arrival becomes foremost in our minds during the month of December and culminates with his birth on Christmas Day. It is the most demanding, joyous and family-focused month of the year. The year 2020 has added some additional dimensions to what we all may hope is coming, in addition to the most wonderful gift ever offered us, the birth of Jesus! Life outside of the church community is concerned about other comings. Will the end of the year bring the arrival of a new vaccine to offer protection against the continued COVID virus? As we move through December will doctors and scientists have brought forward new therapeutic regimens to help with current treatment options? Will we be able to gather together as a church community to celebrate our savior’s arrival? Will families be able to join together in celebration and thankfulness for this very special time of year? There are also questions surrounding the arrival of the New Year, 2021. We will have completed the November election and hopefully begun the work of giving our nation continued positive direction that benefits us all. Vaccines, therapeutics, medical advances, and the sacrifice of so many will blend together and will direct a healthy and revised pathway that leads us in our faith, work, and caring efforts for the New Year and beyond. Advent is the “coming” and the arrival of our savior, Jesus Christ. God will send this light once again to strengthen our daily lives and actions that reflect our continued desire to follow Jesus, for life.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27:1, 5
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Pause and meditate on the Scripture.
PRAYER: The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.
O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Click on the link to see and hear the music video.
MUSIC VIDEO: Hillsong Worship: O Holy Night
IMAGE: Painted by Connie McCoy of our church
Pathways Press.com 
Leave a Reply