Advent 12 : Making Room In The Midst Of Everything Else

Advent 12a : Making Room In The Midst Of Everything Else

Morning

There is so much that needs to be done in preparation for Christmas...

At times – and especially if there are any other factors in our lives that drain us, as there so often are – it is as much or even more than we can do to get done what needs to be done.

At times, we just need to take time out.  Re-focus.  Pray.

Pray, even though prayer is elusive; even though the Christ-child, the King of Heaven, is elusive.

And then step back into the day.

This prayer, for the morning during Advent, is taken from Common Worship.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,

to you be praise and glory for ever.

In your tender compassion

the dawn from on high is

breaking upon us

to dispel the lingering shadows of night.

As we look for your

coming among us this day,

open our eyes to behold your presence

and strengthen our hands

to do your will,

that the world may rejoice

and give you praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son

and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

Advent: making room for Jesus – in the midst of everything else.

Advent 12b : Making Room In The Midst Of Everything Else

Evening

There is so much that needs to be done in preparation for Christmas...

At times – and especially if there are any other factors in our lives that drain us, as there so often are – it is as much or even more than we can do to get done what needs to be done.

At times, we just need to take time out.  Re-focus.  Pray.

Pray, even though prayer is elusive; even though the Christ-child, the King of Heaven, is elusive.

And then step back into the night.

This prayer, for the evening during Advent, is taken from Common Worship.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God,

creator of light and darkness,

to you be glory and praise for ever.

As evening falls, you renew

your promise

to reveal among us the light

of your presence.

May your word be a lantern to our feet

and a light upon our path

that we may behold

your coming among us.

Strengthen us in our

stumbling weakness

and free our tongues to

sing your praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son

and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be God for ever.

Advent: making room for Jesus – in the midst of everything else.