This week in our Advent journey 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 2:1-20

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: Song of the Shepherds

We were familiar with the night.
We knew its favourite colours,
its sullen silenceand its small, disturbing sounds,
its unprovoked rages,
its savage dreams.

We slept by turns, attentive to the flock.
We said little. Night after night,
there was little to say.
But sometimes one of us,
skilled in that way,
would pipe a tune of how things were for us

They say that once, almost before time,
the stars with shining voices
serenaded the new born world.
The night could not contain their boundless praise.

We thought that just a poem —until the night
a song of solar glory,
unutterable, unearthly,
eclipsed the luminaries of the night,
as though the world were exorcised of dark
and, coming to itself, began again.

Later we returned to the flock.
The night was ominously black.
The stars were silent as the sheep.
Nights pass, year on year.
We clutch our meagre cloaks against the cold.
Our aging piper’s fumbling fingers play,
night after night,
an earthly echo of the song that banished dark.
It has stayed with us.

| Richard Bauckham

Advent Song: Glory to God

Advent Song: Noel

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

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

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!