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 1:5-25

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

Quote: ‘The Lantern of the Lord’

John’s whole life was lived with but one purpose; he was born, a man of destiny, to declare the imminent arrival of the coming Messiah. This voice crying in the wilderness, this “lantern which shone in front of the Son of God”, is extraordinary in many ways, but most of all for the single-mindedness with which he pursued his mission even to death, for John the Baptist feared no man … But let us take note: this firebrand who recognized no superior was utterly submissive before the One whose coming he lived and died to illuminate. “John said to them, ‘One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of his sandal'”

| Fleming Rutledge

Advent Poem: John the Baptist

Midsummer night, and bonfires on the hill
Burn for the man who makes way for the Light:‘
He must increase and I diminish still,
Until his sun illuminates my night.’

So John the Baptist pioneers our path,
Unfolds the essence of the life of prayer,
Unlatches the last doorway into faith,
And makes one inner space an everywhere.

Least of the new and greatest of the old,
Orpheus on the threshold with his lyre,
He sets himself aside, and cries “Behold
The One who stands amongst you comes with fire!”

So keep his fires burning through this night,
Beacons and gateways for the child of light.

Malcolm Guite

Advent Song

Have a listen to the song below and have a look at the painting of John the Baptist that depicts him pointing away from himself and toward Jesus. Maybe take a bit of time and reflect on how we too are called to live lives that point away from ourselves and toward the Christ!

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.