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Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Lois Blanchard Eades (1919-2011), an American poet.

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do

I know you’d give your nicest room, to such an honored guest and the food that you serve Him, Would be the very best

You’ld keep assuring Him, you’re glad to have Him there That serving Him in your own house, is joy beyond compare

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door with arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor?

Would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines, and put the Bible where they’d been?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?

And I wonder…if the Savior spent a day or two with you, would you go right on doing the things you always do?

Would you go right on saying the things you always say? Or would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you go? Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your closest friends? Or would you hope they stay away until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief when he at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know, the things that you would do, If Jesus came in person, to spend some time with you.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46:7, 11

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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 Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Choir of King’s College: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  (submitted by Juan Carlos Acosta)

IMAGE: Mark Price: If He Came to Your House