the best character

Dear Church, just a reminder. In case you have forgotten.  The character that best personifies the holiday season is not Santa Claus.  (St. Nicholas, perhaps...mall Santa and his jolly gift-giving, not so much).  Santa is everywhere anymore. Every event, every location, every holiday party.  He's going to be at two different Burger Kings on Monday, at the same time!  You try to do that!  Amazing.  Santa is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of the Holiday.  From his "first official appearance" at the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade to his invisible presence on Christmas eve, Santa is here.   But Santa is not this season's main man.  Do you hear me?  Santa is NOT the person that embodies this holy season.  Santa is NOT God.
You are thinking: Obviously, it's Jesus. Put Christ back in Christmas--- blah,blah, blah! And, you are right, but not completely right.  Jesus is not the reason for the season.  Jesus is the life of the world yesterday, today, and forever.  Jesus is every season.  We cannot pin Jesus down to our time,to a date on the calendar (Dec. 25).  So, if not Jesus, who?

Prayer of the Day

Lord our God, grant that we may be ready to receive Christ when he comes in glory and to share in the banquet of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

"...ready to receive Christ when he comes in glory..." This is church language.  What does it mean? I think, when we pray, we might want to understand what we are saying.  The context of this prayer is that the true KING and ruler of the earth is absent.  He is going to return, as when a King returns victorious from battle.  Coming in glory means that the King will return triumphant as the true and only ruler.  All will then see the King as their ruler. A great banquet to honor the King's return will commence, to which we hope to be the invited guests.     We must hear "Christ" as a royal title.  The bible espouses to a divine monarchy, on which Jesus--the crucified and risen King--is enthroned as ruler forever.
In a free democracy, pledging allegiance to a monarch seems archaic.  But, a divine monarchy, in which one perfect and just King is enthroned forever is the bible's political persuasion.
In Advent, we imagine the return of the King to restore order and peace.

praying

Praying is, well, strange.  For many of us, our prayer life consists of a sort of informal conversation with God.  I say "sort of" because it's not really a conversation.  It's more like a therapy session, whereby God is the listener/therapist and we are the clients.  The conversation is one-sided for a lot of us.  How does one become the listener in that conversation?  Someone once said, "When I tell people that I speak to God, they call me a saint.  When I tell people, God spoke to me they call me a lunatic."  But the motto of the United Church of Christ is "God is still speaking..."  At any rate, the informal conversation with God thing has been touted as the sign that one's prayer is sincere, personal, and meaningful. Rote prayers, ritualized, fixed, written, or liturgical prayer have been maligned as insincere, impersonal, and lacking proper expression. But you know that we talk about prayer more than we actually pray. Because we don't know how to pray.  We want to think it's easy, but it is not.  It is unnatural and takes practice.  Prayer is more like learning a foreign language than chatting with an old buddy.

Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer/ Matins

Dialog

L          O Lord, open my lips;

C         And my mouth shall declare your praise;

Glory to the Father, and to the Son +, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever, amen.

Psalmody  Psalm 95

O come, let us sing to the LORD;

            let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

  ²Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

            let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

  ³For the LORD is a great God,

            and a great King above all gods.

  ⁴In his hand are the depths of the earth;

            the heights of the mountains are his also.

  ⁵The sea is his, for he made it,

            and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

  ⁶O come, let us worship and bow down,

            let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!

  ⁷For he is our God,

            and we are the people of his pasture,

            and the sheep of his hand.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and will be forever, amen. 

Psalm 148

Praise the LORD!

            Praise the LORD from the heavens;

            praise him in the heights!

  ²Praise him, all his angels;

            praise him, all his host!

  ³Praise him, sun and moon;

            praise him, all you shining stars!

  ⁴Praise him, you highest heavens,

            and you waters above the heavens!

  ⁵Let them praise the name of the LORD,

            for he commanded and they were created.

  ⁶He established them forever and ever;

            he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

  ⁷Praise the LORD from the earth,

            you sea monsters and all deeps,

  ⁸fire and hail, snow and frost,

            stormy wind fulfilling his command!

  ⁹Mountains and all hills,

            fruit trees and all cedars!

  ¹⁰Wild animals and all cattle,

            creeping things and flying birds!

  ¹¹Kings of the earth and all peoples,

            princes and all rulers of the earth!

  ¹²Young men and women alike,

            old and young together!

  ¹³Let them praise the name of the LORD,

            for his name alone is exalted;

            his glory is above earth and heaven.

  ¹⁴He has raised up a horn for his people,

            praise for all his faithful,

            for the people of Israel who are close to him.

            Praise the LORD!\

C         Amen

readings

Week 1:  Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Week 2:  Isaiah 58:1:12

Week 3: Romans 5:1-11.

Week 4: Ephesians 4:17-24

L         In many and various ways God spoke to his people of old by the prophets.

C         But now in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

Gospel Canticle 

Magnificat "Song of Mary" Luke, ch.1

‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 
for he has looked with favour 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 for ever.’

PRAYERS

Mighty God of mercy, we thank you for the resurrection dawn, bringing the glory of our risen Lord who makes every day new.

Especially we thank you—

            for the sustaining goodness of your creation...

            for the new creation in Christ and all gifts of healing and forgiveness...

            for the gifts of relationship with others...

            for the communion of faith in your church...

Other thanksgivings may be added.

Merciful God of might, renew this weary world, heal the hurts of all your children, and bring about your peace for all in Christ Jesus, the living Lord.

Especially we pray—

            for those who govern nations of the world...

            for the people in countries ravaged by strife or warfare...

            for all who work for peace and international harmony...

            for all who strive to save the earth from carelessness and destruction...

            for the church of Jesus Christ in every land...

Other intercessions may be added.

L         O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us in safety to this new day; preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome in adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (249)

L          Lord our Father, each morning you welcome us as we are; gie us a heart that is pure and free, to receive your Word, and discover in our brothers and sisters the message of life you bring us, through Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

C         Amen

The Lord's Prayer

C         Our Father in heaven,

            hallowed be your name,

            your kingdom come,

            your will be done,

                        on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

            as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

            and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

            now and forever. Amen

Benediction

L          Let us bless the Lord.

C         Thanks be to God.

L          Maythe Lord bless us,

Keep away all evil, and lead us to eternal life.

C         Amen.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42246.

Evening Prayer for a small group or household

Vespers

Evening prayers may be prayed between the hours of 6 pm and 10 pm. 

O, God come to my assistance;

O, Lord make haste to help me!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever, amen.

Confession

I confess to almighty God, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts, words, and deeds, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; I have not loved you with my whole heart or my neighbors as myself.   Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.  Amen. 

Psalmody One or more Psalms is prayed daily

Sundays:          Psalms 103, 104, 105

Mondays:         Psalms 115, 116,117

Tuesdays:        Psalms 130, 131, 133

Wednesdays:   Psalms  135, 136, 138

Thursdays:       Psalms 139, 140, 141 

Fridays:            Psalms 142, 143, 144

Saturdays:        Psalms 145, 146, 147

Short readings

Week one                                Week two

Romans 12:1-2.                                   Romans 6:3-5

2 Corinthians 5:17-21              1 Corinthians 15:3-7

Ephesians 4:1-5                                   Galatians 5:16-22

Philippians 2:4-11                    Ephesians 2:1-10

Colossians 1:15-20                  Philippians 4:4-7

1 Peter 1:3-9                            Colossians 3:13-17

1 John 1:5-9                            Hebrews 1:1-3

Magnificat Song of Mary, Luke 1

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day, all generations will call me blessed. The almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.  He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.  He has broght down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.  He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered the promise of mercy; a promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.  Glory to the Father and to the son and to the holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.  (or sing)

Litany

Blessed are you O Lord our God.  In your great love you sent your Son Jesus to bring light to our darkness and to show us the way of truth: hear us as we pray.

---For those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Lord, have mercy.

---For those who live in fear, anxiety, depression, and any form of mental illness. Lord, have mercy.

---For those who are sick, suffering, grieving, or dying. Lord, have mercy.

---For those who are hungry, homeless, poor, thirsty, or lack in any daily need. Lord, have mercy.

---For those who suffer the consequences of war, violence, or crime. Lord, have mercy.

---For the end of unjust governments and laws that threaten human dignity and oppress minorities. Lord, have mercy.

---For Christians facing persecution. For Muslims and Jews.  That we pursue peace together with  God’s help.  Lord, have mercy.

---For all who have died, hoping in the life to come.    Lord, have mercy.

---Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.  Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. 

Concluding prayer

We thank you, Lord, for the day that you have given us.  Your goodness and love were made known to us this day. You have mercifully sustained us and provided for our needs.  You have permitted us to serve you and love others.  The day is now ending and we entrust to you this night.  Tend to those who suffer in the darkness. Keep watch over us while we sleep that we may rise in the morning to praise and serve you again.  In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.   

Final blessing

May the Lord bless us, keep away all evil, and lead us to eternal life.  Amen.  

Advent prayers

Creator of the stars of night, your people's everlasting light,
O Christ,redeemer of us all, we pray you hear us when we call.
In sorrow that the ancient curse should doom to death a universe,
You came, O savior, to set free
 your own in glorious liberty.
Come, sun and savior to embrace
our gloomy world, its weary race,
as groom to bride, as bride to groom:
the wedding chamber, Mary's womb.
At your great name, O Jesus now
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
All things on earth with one accord,
like those in heav'n , shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below,
For all assaults of our dread foe. ---8th century.


O Lord, you promised that you would come again.  We await your return, doubting if you will.  We grow weary under the tyranny of sin and death.  We long for your forgiveness, your freedom, your peace.  We search for signs of your eternal presence.  We hope for your good future to arrive, bringing life and salvation to every living thing.  Will you come again?  Will we see your face? Will you come down to dwell with your people?  Will you make all things new? Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ and come.  By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

the beginning

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' " 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

breaking the cycle

 ‘But in those days, after that suffering,the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ Gospel of Mark, 13 

The countdown has begun.  The decorating, the baking, the shopping, the TV specials, the 24/7 Christmas music, the shopping, the madness that is the “Holiday Season” is now thrust upon us.  Black Friday is being characterized as a frenzy of violence by the Sunday newspaper.  I doubt most shoppers witnessed violence, but it did occur in the wee small hours of the morning while men and women wrestled flat panel televisions, Ipads, and other tech gadgetry out of big chain stores.  "Right now get the hottest deals on the things you want this holiday.  Stores are opening at midnight."  One man was in line at best buy at 1 am on Thanksgiving day---he spent his entire thanksgiving day waiting in line at a best buy, so that he could be the first one in.  He got in at midnight like everyone else.  But he was first and he was prepared. Something is wrong here.  How did things get to be so far off?