Advent Week 3
Wonder
“The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”
Below, you will find a short liturgy for Advent Week 3. You may do this alone or with a few others. If you do this with others, first assign who will be the leader(s) who will read the prayers; read the prompts under each section, and will play the audio recording of Scripture and ask the lectio divina questions. (Also, if you like to journal, get your journal out now and jot down thoughts and reflections as you go.)
Opening Prayer
Begin with this prayer:
“In anticipation we gather.
With expectation we wait.
We gather to watch for the coming of the good news
into our world and into our lives.
We wait to see the fullness of God’s vision.
O God, open the doors to our hearts,
that this year we may have room for the birth of Jesus.
O God, as we marvel over all that you are doing,
overwhelm us with so much wonder
that words of praise spring forth from our lips!
In this time of waiting, let true worship begin in our hearts.
Let our praises rise up to the heavens!
Let our celebrations spread new hope over a tired world!
Let us gather together all our dreams and lives
to worship our God! Amen”
Contemplative Song
Begin your devotional time today by listening to “Joseph’s Song”. If you want to meditate on the words more, the lyrics are found below the video. (If you like to journal, you might want to write down the words that stand out to you. Otherwise, just listen.)
Joseph’s Song
CovCath Records 2015
“O come let us adore.”
Let all the earth rejoice and sing, a tiny child, a Mighty King.
He shall be called Immanuel, a Son born for me.
A Son born for you.
The wiseman came, their guide a shining star, to honor him from country far.
Sleeping now so peacefully, my child a King will be.
My child a King will be.
Let all the earth rejoice and sing, a tiny child, a Mighty King.
He shall be called Immanuel, a Son born for me.
A Son born for you.
A Son born for me.
A Son born for you.
How can it be that a simple man could be a part of God’s great plan.
To raise a child sent from above, a son, the King of Love.
My son, the King of Love.
The angel came to me, his message clear.
There is no room for doubt or fear.
Of Mary, blameless mother mild, our God a little child.
Our God, a little child.
Let all the earth rejoice and sing, a tiny child, a Mighty King.
He shall be called Immanuel, a Son born for me.
A Son born for you.
The shepherds heard the angels joyful cry, their glorious praise to God on High
For unto us a child is born, “O come let us adore”.
Silence
Enter into a time of silence, reflecting on the following:
What words from this song stood out to you? Take a moment of silence to reflect on all you have heard. Is there a particular word that God has for you today?
Reflection and Practice
Reflection
Ponder the following:
This time of year is truly a wonderful time of the year, not only in the fact that it awakens delight and pleasure within so many of us, but because it truly inspires wonder. It is a season when we hear of angelic visits; heavenly choirs; a bright star guiding wisemen from afar; and shepherds, kings, and animals worshiping a child, who happens to be God in the flesh. This season truly invites us to marvel at God’s ways. Yet, I wonder if we do.
When we are children, we find it easy to marvel at the miracles of God’s world - the fluttering butterfly, the sweet-smelling rose, the ants marching over our picnic blanket, and more. And then when it comes to the weeks leading up to Christmas, we can’t help but be even more awed by the marvelous story that this season tells us.
Yet, when we grow-up, so many of us lose this sense of awe. Maybe it is because of the busy and/or harsh realities of our world, which have crowded out any sense of wonder. Or maybe it because we have heard the story so many times that we forget how truly amazing it is. Whatever the reason may be, we miss out on all that God has for us in this season.
So what if we opened ourselves up once again to truly experience wonder and awe in this season? What if we became like little children again?
Friends, I invite you in this Advent Season to become like little children and to enter into a posture of wonder and awe.
Self-Reflection
Let’s start now! Ponder the following:
First, if you have lost your sense of awe for this season (and in general), spend a few minutes asking God why this is so, and asking him to renew once again that experience of wonder, especially in this season. And if you have not lost your sense of wonder, spend some time now thanking God that you can see with the eyes of child, who marvels at all his miracles, great and small.
Now, enter into a time of worship, where you give thanks and praise to God for all the marvelous things He has done - for you and for the world. Speak your praises out loud or write them in your journal.
Lectio Divina
Now spend some time in the Scriptures, resting in God’s presence and reflecting on Matthew 1:18-25. Listen to the Scripture below several times, paying attention to the questions asked below during each reading. Truly savor the words of Scripture. (If you are doing this in the group, the leader should ask the first question below, then play the audio recording, ask the second question, then play the audio recording, and so forth and so on.)
1) First Hearing Pay attention to a word or phrase or impression that stands out to you. After listening, speak out or write down that word/phrase/impression.
2) Second Hearing Pay attention to any questions you may have about the story. What do you wonder about? Also, is there anything in the story that inspires awe and wonder in you? After listening, speak out or write down your questions, as well as those parts of the story that inspire wonder in you.
3) Third Hearing Ask if God has any invitations for you inspired by this Scripture. What may God be calling you to in this season and beyond? Faith? Wonder? Trust? Hope? Compassion? Love? What ever it may be - and it is unique for each person hearing this Scripture - speak it out or write it down.
4) Reading the Scripture Now, if you wish, read the Scripture found here and see if you notice anything else or if God has additional invitations for you. Speak out and write down your additional noticings or sense of invitations.
Silence
After your time in the Scriptures, spend a moment or two in silence, resting in the Lord’s presence and savoring all that God has awakened in your heart during this time of devotion to Him.
Closing Prayer and Blessing
End with this prayer and blessing.
“Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father
and ours. ”
“Now let us go forth into the world, being amazed at all the wonders of this season and marveling at all God has done, is doing, and will do. And like the angels and wisemen and shepherds, let us bring him our adoration and praise. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”