First Week of Advent
December 3, 2017
Advent Reading
Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus Christ.
We are called to grow in that grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus.
Our God has been faithful to all generations, showering his grace upon all peoples. We light this candle to praise God for his gift of grace and his faithfulness.
As we wait, let us grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reading for Reflection
O high and glorious God,
enlighten my heart.
Give me unwavering faith,
sure hope,
and perfect love.
Give me deep humility,
wisdom, and knowledge,
that I may keep your commandments. Amen.
From I, Francis by Carlo Carretto
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we’ve fallen short of loving you with our whole hearts.
We’ve allowed ourselves to wander away from your will
with things that we have said and done. Forgive us, we pray.
Wash us clean with your love and grace.
Pray in silence as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Pardon
Eternal God, we receive your forgiveness and grace.
We receive also the assurance of your Holy Spirit
which reminds us that we are your sons and daughters.
By your Spirit, empower us to live as
a living and holy sacrifice worthy of your name.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
Beaumont Police Officers Association
December Devotional
Second Week of Advent
December 10, 2017
Advent Reading
God has loved us and comforted us and given us eternal hope. The Lord has helped us through difficult times and has promised to turn our mourning into dancing. The Lord comforts those in distress and has compassion on those who suffer. We light this candle to remember the gifts of comfort and hope offered by a gracious God. As we wait, may we seek to extend these gifts to others as we show God’s love for all people.
2 Peter 3:8-15a
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
Reading for Reflection
Lord, the calendar calls for Christmas. We have traveled this way before. During this Advent season we would see what we have never seen before, accept what we have refused to think, and hear what we need to understand. Be with us in our goings that we may meet you in your coming. Astonish us until we sing “Glory!” and then enable us to live it out with love and peace. In the name of your Incarnate Word, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Unsettling Season by Donald J. Shelby
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we’ve fallen short of loving you with our whole hearts.
We’ve allowed ourselves to wander away from your will
with things that we have said and done. Forgive us, we pray.
Wash us clean with your love and grace.
Pray in silence as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Pardon
Eternal God, we receive your forgiveness and grace.
We receive also the assurance of your Holy Spirit
which reminds us that we are your sons and daughters.
By your Spirit, empower us to live as
a living and holy sacrifice worthy of your name.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
Beaumont Police Officers Association
December Devotional
Third Week of Advent
December 17, 2017
Advent Reading
God said, “Let there be light,” and light came into being on the earth. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world!” We know that God is our light and our salvation. We light this candle in gratitude for the light that guides us and sustains us. Once we were people in darkness, but now we are people who walk in the light of Jesus Christ. Praise God for the gift of light!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Reading for Reflection
When the perfect and ultimate message, the joy which is The Great Joy, explodes silently upon the world, there is no longer any room for sadness. Therefore no circumstance in the Christmas Gospel, however trivial it may seem, is to be left out of The Great Joy. In the special and heavenly light which shines around the coming of the Word into the world, all ordinary things are transfigured. In the mystery of Peace which is proclaimed to a world that cannot live in peace, a world of suspicion, hatred and distrust, even the rejection of the Prince of Peace takes on something of the color and atmosphere of peace.
Raids on the Unspeakable by Thomas Merton
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we’ve fallen short of loving you with our whole hearts.
We’ve allowed ourselves to wander away from your will
with things that we have said and done. Forgive us, we pray.
Wash us clean with your love and grace.
Pray in silence as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Pardon
Eternal God, we receive your forgiveness and grace.
We receive also the assurance of your Holy Spirit
which reminds us that we are your sons and daughters.
By your Spirit, empower us to live as
a living and holy sacrifice worthy of your name.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.
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