Advent 2020: Reveal Your Presence Lord

Ignatian Imaginative Prayer for Christmas day.

Wishing you and your family a joy filled Christmas!

Reminder that Masses are reserved seating only.
Please join us through our livestream at 7:30pm.
You can find it on our parish website, Facebook, and YouTube.

Examen with Barb Bennett, Spiritual Director

Great for ALL ages: Ignatian Imaginative Prayer for the fourth week of Advent

Today’s gospel from Luke recalls the praises that Mary sings to God for being chosen to bring Good News (literally) into the world.

In the movie, The Nativity Story, there is a small scene where Mary and Joseph ponder how they will know when Jesus “is no longer a child.” They both acknowledge their fears and Joseph wonders if he will be able to teach Jesus anything at all.

What fears do you have this Advent? What ponderings do you carry? What little joys are you looking for?

For over 2,000 years each of us has been presented with the choice to be bearers of Good News, certainly not in the same way Mary was chosen, but none-the-less, each of us are chosen to bring God to others.

As we near the end of our preparations to receive, again, the Christ Child, may we ask God to “Open our lives and help us to live in God’s love, so that we can bring Good News…bring God to others, especially those closest to us.

-Tom Primmer, Director of Faith Formation

Here’s are some activity ideas from our Faith Formation Team:

Ways to TAKE TIME & REST as a family this week

Choose one (or two) a day as we enter into the final days before Christmas

• Take 2-3 minutes each day to pray together (Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, etc.—keep it simple!)

• Prepare a meal together (one pot meals are a great idea!)

• Take a family nap

• Decorate Christmas Cookies together

• Drive around & look at lights

• Make a (store kit) gingerbread house

• Help with Christmas prep

• Listen to carols and sing along

• Go to bed on time /sleep in

• Play board games together

• Watch a Christmas show/movie as a family

• Play a video/app game together

• Read a Christmas story book as a family

• Have a no-tech day/night

• Order delivery or take-out. Kids clean up.

From Fr James

“Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth.” - Song of Songs 2:10-12

Spring may still be a way’s away, but the spring of which today’s first reading and the Scriptures speak isn’t one that’s bound by the season.  Just as the growing presence of the sun, the warmth of the day, the thawing of the earth, and the coming of the rains prepare the way for a new fullness of life in nature, the scriptural spring also heralds the coming of a new fullness of life, albeit of a different nature.  Rather than longer days, warmer weather, and water from the heavens, this new life is presaged by the light of God which darkness cannot overcome, the all-consuming fire of His love, and the Spirit from Heaven which fills the hearts of men to proclaim God’s salvation for His people. And rather than the simple recognition of yet one more stage in the endless cycle of subsequent seasons, the new life of the scripture’s spring is something entirely new: something the world has never seen, but has been prepared for since the days of our first parents; something which will irrevocably change and bless the entire created world and everything in it until the end of time.

The Creator has become part of His creation: God has become man.

It is through the coming of the Son that avenues of grace and new life are torn open and poured out upon the world and its peoples.  All of human kind, struggling under their self-forged chains of sin, is offered salvation, new-found freedom, and the fullness of life, by the self-humiliating love of God. This True Spring of Eternal Life (of which the yearly season is only shadowy sign and poor imitation) comes to us slowly, humbly, and hidden, made possible by one girl’s life opened to God: blessed in belief, blessed among women, and blessed in the fruit of her womb.  By her will united to God’s, mankind’s New Life enters the world, which she holds in her arms, wraps in cloth to keep warm against the winter’s cold, and lays in a manger to rest.  This New Life would not find its work of salvation fulfilled until many years later when His body would once again be held in His mother’s arms, wrapped in a cloth, and laid to rest in another man’s tomb, but at least that work could begin, all because of a life open to God.

Every Christian life is called to this: to receive the Word of God, to carry it within them, and to give new birth to God’s salvation in the world. But it all begins with a life open to God…

When I ponder the concept of opening my life to God, Mary is the first person to come to my mind. After the Angel Gabriel brings her the good news that she will bear a son and name him Jesus, Mary replies with, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” We hear similar words from Jesus as he prays in the garden alone after the last supper, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but Yours be done.” Jesus wasn’t as welcoming to the will of God at that point as Mary is at the annunciation, yet He knew the heart of the Father so intimately that He too said yes. Both Mary and Jesus knew that it would not be easy to do the will of the Father, that living a life of saying yes to God is hard. It requires us to see God in our lives, to hear His voice and know it so well that we hear it even when the world is louder, and it requires us to trust in God’s will for us in both the little and big decisions.

Sometimes it is hard to trust that we can live up to the example of Mary or Jesus and how they said yes and allowed their lives to be opened to the will of God. Six years ago I read an incredible story of a man by the name of Louis Zamperini.  He is known for being an Olympic runner and a World War II veteran. If you haven’t read his story check it out (Unbroken – book or movie).  During WWII Louis was lost at sea for 47 days, when he was rescued it was by the Japanese.  He became a prisoner of war for the next two years where he became a regular target of one of the guards.  After returning home Louis struggles with life until he meets and listens to Billy Graham and turns his life around.  In the end, Louis forgives his tormenter and finds peace. This is what happens when we open our lives to God – when we say yes to doing the hard things in life, while trusting that the fruit of what we do is far beyond what we can even imagine.

What parts of my life do I open to God? Is it just certain pieces, or do I give it all to Him? When have I surrendered to God’s will and what came from it?

Action:

Prayer:

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: This is the final week of Advent, the final days of waiting and anticipating the coming of Jesus. Jesus came to earth for each one of us. During His ministry He tells us to care for others and that through caring for others we care for Him. So this Christmas, when our day to day world feels so different, celebrations are smaller, and traditions have been cancelled, how can we care for others?

One way we can do this to pray for them. Who do you want to keep specially in our prayers this week?

Have everyone name the person(s) they would like to pray for.

Pause in silence.

Leader:

O God,

you wonderfully created us in your likeness and image.
When we struggled to live in unity with you,
your Son Jesus reminded us
of our goodness and our friendship with you.

He teaches us that we have a choice
to love you and follow you in all we do.

We pray, that we may love like Jesus has shown us. 

Hear the prayers that we offered,
and grant them through your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

Light the Advent wreath (all four candles)

Reader: “And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:35-38

All: “Open my life, Lord so that I, too, can live the life You call me to.”

Song: “Open My Eyes, Lord”

Leader: May Almighty God Bless and watch over us this Advent season.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Connect: On our Facebook page share your favorite Christmas tradition!

Study: Listen, Learn, and Watch on FORMED.org

Let’s Journal

This week past when was…

• My heart open to God’s love?

• My heart open to love others?

• My heart open to hearing the voice of God, even if it challenged me?

• My heart open to seeing God’s presence in my daily life, even when it was hard?

In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Joseph deciding to quietly divorce Mary so as to not expose her to shame. Then an angel comes to him in a dream “do not be afraid to take Mary into your home.” Do not be afraid. Fear causes our flight/fight/freeze response to take over. I know that for me I freeze more often than I take flight or fight. What about you? How do you respond to fear?

Joseph was going to flee, yet, as a righteous man he was taking steps to protect Mary. Fear causes us to not think rationally.  When we are living in fear our hearts are not open. So while he was sleeping the angel comes to Joseph and speaks to his heart. Upon waking Joseph is able to live without fear, even though the road ahead will be hard.  He trusts God’s plan for his life with Mary and Jesus.

What does it take for you to overcome your fear? Do you trust God’s plan in your life?

BONUS: Watch Joseph of Nazareth on FORMED.org

Today in the Gospel we hear the Genealogy of Jesus, connecting Jesus to David and Abraham. Why a genealogy? It is a depiction of relationship.  These names represent those who came after Abraham, and before Jesus, connecting the history with the present. If you were to study these names you would find all sorts of people.  Jesus didn’t come from a long line of holy people, but from generation after generation of people who struggled to open their hearts to the will of God.  To me the Old Testament feels like a mantra of “trust God.” When they trusted God they prospered, when they didn’t trust God (and tried to do it on their own) life was hard. It’s the same today. We need to open our hearts to trust God.  

Today pick 3 or 4 of the names in this long list and find out something about them. Did they trust God? What can you learn from them about trusting God?

Here is a video of Bishop Barron talking about the genealogy we find in Matthew. When we hear his words we can enter more fully into this list of names!

Remember Thursday Evening Advent Reflection tonight! Register now!

Thursday, December 17, 7-8pm, on ZOOM
Praying with Scripture: “May it be done to me”
Register: Here
Facilitator: Patty Mayer and Randy Henderson

Our lives are changed when we open our hearts to the will of God. In the Gospel this Sunday Mary says yes to God’s will in her life. We all know that saying yes to God can create challenges in our lives. We see this in the Scriptures as Joseph learns about Mary plans to quietly divorce her, until his heart is opened as he listens to the words of the angel in his sleep.

Tonight we will sit with Mary and Gabriel as we quietly contemplate the joy and struggle of saying yes to God’s will in our lives.   

Great reflection for all ages: Ignatian Imaginative Prayer for the third week of Advent

From our Faith Formation Team:

Daily Service Challenge

Opening our hearts means several things, including serving others.  Jesus—this week help us to find small ways to love like you—by putting the needs of “the other” in front of our own.

Tuesday: Serve your Neighbors — decorate & write a card to your neighbors and deliver it, if it snows or gets icy—shovel or salt their sidewalk & driveway

Wednesday: Serve Your Neighbors —pray for your neighbors, give a quick (socially distanced) visit to see how they’re doing this Advent. See if there’s anything they need

Thursday: Serve your parish—write a note of thanks/Christmas card to a priest/staff member, participate in one of the charity drives at the parish

Friday: Serve your town/community—take a walk and pick up trash, smile at everyone you meet - you can smile with a mask on—use your eyes!

Saturday:  Serve the world—pray for the world and make a small donation to a reputable charity.

Open My Heart
by Joyce Clawson, Assistant Director of Faith Formation Grades 1-5

This week, we are called to open our hearts to God.  When you give your heart to God, you stop worrying about what you can’t control.  You are quiet, you listen,  you slow down and begin to trust; you let the “little things” roll off your back.  You know your heart is in a safe place and find comfort knowing God will never break or leave it.  You surrender.  As Matthew 6:21 tells us we need to put value into the right people and places and we will experience real love (Romans 5:8)  With all that is going on in our world currently, this can be a challenge but God is here, waiting for us to open our hearts to Him.  There is hope; lets channel our energies, to open  our hearts to His Divine Presence, Love and Peace. 

Please listen Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart”

Fr James and the Saints

Feast of St John of the Cross:

Balaam the Prophet, the star of today’s first reading, was no prophet of Israel, but rather one of the gentile tribes during the times of the Israel’s journey towards the Promised Land. He was an honest man and, no matter how much wealth he was offered, he spoke no prophecy except that which he would receive from the Lord. As the king of the Moabites saw the other tribes fall before the Israel’s advance, he sought out Balaam to cast a curse upon the Israelites.  Balaam, in response, proclaimed the words he received from the Lord: that the Israelites are not cursed, but blessed and held specially before God.  Time and again, the Moabite king asked Balaam to offer more sacrifices and seek more divinations in hopes that the subsequent answer would be the one he wanted, but each time Balaam could only pronounce God’s blessing upon Israel. The Moabite king’s obstinance would be his undoing and by his repeated refusal to acknowledge the will of God, he gradually brought a curse upon himself: the curse of a hardened heart, walling himself off from recognizing and receiving the goodness of God into his life.

This hardness of heart is hardly an isolated occurrence. In the Old Testament, we hear about Pharaoh’s hardened heart rejecting the Moses’ appeals until it cost him the life of every Egyptian first-born son, his own included. In today’s Gospel, we witness the hard-hearted Pharisees, whose pride and rejection of John the Baptist trapped them and kept them from recognizing that their long-awaited Messiah was standing right in front them.  Holding so tightly to one’s own will and one’s own plans, especially to the exclusion of God’s, means throwing out, locking out, and missing out on the goodness, joy, and salvation which God readily offers each of us.

If that is a hardened heart, what does an open heart look like? A good example is found in the life of St. John of the Cross, whose feast is today. John was a humble man of 16th Century Spain tasked with reforming the monks of the Carmelite Order, monks who would respond by kidnapping, beating, imprisoning, and nearly starving him. Strangely enough, on borrowed scraps of paper, this was when John penned some of history’s greatest theological love poetry: stories of God and a soul in the words of a Lover wooing His beloved and the beloved’s longing search for the One she loves. John’s open heart was able to recognize God’s loving presence to him, even in the midst of his unjust imprisonment and suffering, and in Him, John found joy in God’s closeness and strength to love and forgive his captors. Where a hardened heart rejects joy wherever it might be found, a heart opened to God can find it even in the most unlikely places, even in a humble manger on a cold winter’s night.

For more on St John of the Cross click here

As we continue to see and hear the Lord revealing himself to us, may our hearts be opened.

In our second reading today Paul tells us to “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.  In all circumstance give thanks.” Wait, in all circumstances give thanks, even in 2020? … YES!

Since March, I have learned to live with the pandemic – masks, sanitizer, physical distance, and video chatting have become a part of my daily ministry and quality time with others. In the beginning, my personal calendar was wiped clean month-by-month, ZOOM kept me connected to those I minister with/to, and trips out of my house were only necessary and quick. I could navigate the grocery store in less than 30 minutes, because I didn’t stop to ponder options, nor did I stop to chat. I knew what I needed and was focused on getting back home.  As a single person I found myself disconnected from people, yet I found it difficult to connect, or even desire to connect, because I knew that home was safe, and, until we learned more about the virus, others were potentially dangerous. How often are we the same with our heart? We keep it safe and protected, we open it just enough to think we are taking a risk, but are we really afraid to risk opening our hearts because others are “dangerous.” 

One of my favorite movies growing up was The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy walks the yellow brick road in search of Oz, and picks up companions on the way – the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion – who are all in search of something they believe they are missing. The tin man lacks a heart, and feels hollow inside.  In the end the wizard tells him, “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.” A few years ago I had a beautiful prayer experience that reminded me how easy it is for me to love God, but it’s not always easy to remember that God really loves me. Love only works if it is reciprocated – both given and received.

Open my heart Lord as I rejoice, pray, and give thanks, trusting that you love me and that I am made for love!

Action:

Prayer: Bless your family nativity scene and light your Advent wreath.

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.

Reader:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-8)

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Leader: God of every nation and people,
from the very beginning of creation
you have made manifest your love:
when our need for a Savior was great
you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary.
To our lives he brings joy and peace,
justice, mercy, and love.

Lord,
bless all who look upon this manger;
may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus,
and raise our thoughts to him,
who is God-with-us and Savior of all,
and who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.

Light the Advent wreath (two violet candles and one rose)

Reader: “Make known to me Yur ways, Lord;
    teach me Your paths.
Guide me by Your fidelity and teach me,
    for You I wait all the day long.
Remember Your compassion and Your mercy, O Lord,
    for they are ages old.
Remember no more the sins of my youth;
    remember me according to Your mercy,
    because of Your goodness, Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord,
    therefore He shows sinners the way,
He guides the humble in righteousness,
    and teaches the humble His way.”
Psalm 25:4-9

All: Open my heart, Lord to receive your love, allowing it to flow through me into the world.

Song: “Open My Eyes, Lord”

Leader: May Almighty God Bless and watch over us this Advent season.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Connect: In honor of Bambinelli Sunday, and blessing of your nativity scene, share a picture of your nativity scene on our Facebook page

Study: Watch, Learn, and Listen on FORMED.org

Let’s Journal

In the past week…

• When I slowed down and listened what did I hear?

• What did the world tell me?

• What did God tell me?

• Did I recognize God’s voice?

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe click here for more information

From the Psalm:

“Blessed is the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
Nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the Lord
And meditates on his law day and night.”

We had a big election this year and there were many voices ready to “counsel” us on what is right vs wrong, just vs unjust, etc, etc. When I went through my divorce many people had “suggestions” on what I should or should not do. There are many times in our lives – in big decisions and in little every day decisions – where the world will offer “advice.” Our job isn’t to dismiss others, but to discern God’s voice in the midst of all the voices. What does God call me to?

Discerning God’s voice comes with knowing God’s voice. We learn God’s voice through daily prayer - prayer that involves not only speaking to God, but listening also. When we know the voice of God, we can hear it more clearly even in the midst of the noise and busyness that threatens to drown Him out.

For many of us discernment is not easy. Here are some steps that can help guide you in making those big, and little, decisions in life.

From the Gospel:

“And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”

John the Baptist did not always say things that were comforting to people. He was the forerunner for Jesus, who would also challenge good people to re-evaluate their choices or stances. Do you know someone who has a gift of telling you want you need to hear even though you don’t want to hear it? As much as you don’t want to hear it, you know that you need to hear this. Are you willing to listen to the voices in your life that challenge you rather than comfort you?  Are you willing to be that voice that challenges others knowing that it may not be welcomed?

Remember Thursday Evening Advent Reflection tonight! Register now!

Thursday, December 10, 7-8pm, via ZOOM with Emmaus House
Contemplative Music Service: Creating Sacred Space
Register HERE
Cost: $10
Musician: Steve Dressel

We transition from the busier autumn months into the Advent Season, please join us for an hour of contemplative music to still our minds and create the inner sacred space so we can receive the graces God desires for us.

In addition to the featured musical prayer, this service will include moments of silence, short readings, visuals to engage our senses, and an opportunity for those of us gathered to offer prayers of gratitude & petition for all that we hold in our hearts this Advent.

Great for all ages: Ignatian Imaginative Prayer for the Second week of Advent

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - Masses are 8:30am and 6:30pm

From our Faith Formation Team:

Name that Carol:

Jesus came to earth. He cared for the sick and well. He was God with us. 

O ________.

We shepherds saw them & were afraid; perhaps we were scared we might die. But these beings said not to worry; they were

A________.

The King of kings born in a simple stall-what beginning could be stranger? This simple act changed the world. Jesus arrived

A ________.

4. Mary pondered many things; she loved that baby so dear. In the stillness of the night,

I__________.

The Prince of Peace fought a war no human could fight. Yet he came in love rather than to blame, in the stillness of a

S ________

Here’s a list of carols to choose from (extra carols added to not just give away the answer)

• It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

• The First Noel

• Angels We Have Heard on High

• Little Town of Bethlehem

• Silent Night

• What Child is This?

• O Come, O Come Emmanuel

• Joy to the World

• Away in the Manger

• Little Drummer Boy

 Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception click here for more information

Fr James and the Saints:

Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Many years ago, the priests and people of the region had gathered the local basilica.  Their diocese had been held in the grasp of a usurping bishop of the Arian heresy for the past twenty years and now, upon his death, the local church had a chance to find a new shepherd, a bishop who would lead them with wisdom and charity, by word and example, to the pastures of right and fruitful faith.  (At that time, it was not uncommon for the local bishop to be elected by the local populous, pending the subsequent approval of the nearby bishops, sometimes the emperor, and often the pope) The atmosphere was tense, waiting for a spark that might lead to violence, and factions were preparing to advocate their chosen men.

In the midst of this gathering, the emperor-appointed governor of the region got up to speak, to call the people to peace and civility, and someone shouted out of the crowd, “Make him bishop!” The cry was quickly taken up by the rest of the people and clergy, unanimously demanding that this unbaptized, but virtuous and honorable official would be made their next bishop. Much to the man’s chagrin, even the emperor joined his voice to the crowd’s. In humility, the man assented: he finished the catechumenate, was baptized, confirmed, ordained, sold all his earthly goods, gave the proceeds to the poor, and embarked upon an absurdly adventurous episcopal ministry through which he would call the greatest and the least of the world to the salvation which Christ has prepared for us.  This man, St. Ambrose of Milan, one of the greatest bishops of the Early Church and whose feast we celebrate today, became a powerful instrument of God’s grace in a chaotic world, because he listened to the call, recognized it as God’s, and answered with his whole heart.

God calls us each. That call might consist in ways of life such as the vocations of marriage, the priesthood, or the religious and consecrated lives. That call might be towards something right here and right now: to act, to speak, to pray for someone, a friend or a stranger. That call might come to us in any manner of ways: in the silence of the heart moved slowly, in the quiet of prayer and the study of the Word of God, through the grace of the sacraments, in the comment of a colleague, or perhaps the shouting of a basilica full of 4th century Christians. Whenever, however, or whatever the call from God might be, are we listening?

For more on Saint Ambrose click here

In the Gospel today we hear there is a voice of one crying out in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  This voice continues, “One mightier than I is coming after me.”

What do we hear? Whose voice do we listen to, especially in the hard times?

While I went through my divorce it would have been easy to listen to the voices in our society that told me to be angry, to not forgive or forget, and to make him pay. But instead I heard two words that called to me from deep within: integrity and forgiveness. I knew that as I traveled this difficult time I did not want to lose myself. I trusted that through forgiving I could be true to who I am. Anger rose up many times, with the loud voice of society saying “yes, be angry,” next to this solitary voice from within that said, “forgive.” Forgiveness led me on the path of not losing myself.

A year ago we offered a CEW weekend for the Deaf and I was honored to be able to be part of the weekend. Spending time with those who are deaf or hard of hearing was both a challenge and a blessing. Sign language was an important tool used to communicate on the weekend.  Several of us “hearing” folks were reminded that we cannot talk too fast and that we can only have one discussion happening at a time.  Often in our hearing world there are multiple conversations, and lots of noise, but what do we give our attention to? The words and ideas that enter my ears fills my heart and my mind – what do I allow to have access to my heart and mind?

During this past year what voice have you been listening to? The voice of those around you, or the voice of God within you?

 Action:

PRAYER: Blessing of the Christmas Tree, and lighting of the Advent wreath.

Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever.
All: Amen.

Leader: Family, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.

Reader:

Thus says the Lord God:
I, too, will pluck from the crest of the cedar
    the highest branch.
From the top a tender shoot
    I will break off and transplant
    on a high, lofty mountain.

The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Leader: Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this
sign of our faith in the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.

Leader: That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on
which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the
Lord.

All: Lord, give light to our hearts.

Leader: That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let
us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, give light to our hearts.

Leader: That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the
world, let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, give light to our hearts.

Leader: Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.

Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

The lights of the tree are then illuminated.

Now light the the Advent wreath (two violet candles)

Reader: “When they heard the sound of the Lord God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard You in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.” Then God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat?””
Genesis 3:8-11

All: “Open my ears, Lord so that I can come to know and trust your voice as a sheep knows the voice of the shepherd.”

Song: “Open My Eyes, Lord”

Leader: May Almighty God Bless and watch over us this Advent season.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Connect: Take a picture of your Christmas Tree and share on our Facebook page!

Bonus: Share on our Facebook page a link to your favorite Christmas song!  

Study: Watch, Learn, and Listen on Formed.org