So last week we made our way through Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth and this week we turn our attention to the Gospel of Luke. But, before you begin today’s reflection maybe just pause , turn your attention to God and pray the prayer below:

God, according to your mercy,
we ask that the dawn from on high
would break upon us today.
We ask that you would give light
to all those who abide in darkness
and who live their lives under the shadow of death.
Amen

Daily Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. You can also find it here.

Advent Poem: ‘No one can celebrate Christmas’

No one can celebrate
a genuine Christmas
without being truly poor.
The self-sufficient, the proud,
those who, because they have
everything, look down on others,
those who have no need
even of God- for them there
will be no Christmas.
Only the poor, the hungry,
those who need someone
to come on their behalf,
will have that someone.
That someone is God.
Emmanuel. God-with-us.
Without poverty of spirit
there can be no abundance of God.

| Oscar Romero

Advent Poem: The Magnificat

  And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Mary (Mother of Jesus)

Advent Song: Canticle of the Turning

Closing Benediction

Be people of hope.
Let hope live in your heart and share the hope of Christ with all you meet.
Share hope by noticing someone else’s humanity.
Share hope by listening to someone’s story.
Share hope by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share hope.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share hope with those you meet.

Rev. Susannah DeBenedetto

As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and reflections and so please do leave a comment in the section at the bottom of this page. Much love to you all on this Advent journey!

Evening Zoom Reflection at 9pm

We will be meeting tonight on Zoom to reflect on this together. You would be most welcome to join us. We start at 9pm and finish at 9:20pm. Bring a Bible and a candle if you have them.

We are usually on a few moments before for a chat. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743926286

Feel free to leave a comment below with any thoughts, prayers or things God might have been speaking to you about.