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.
