Light your candle every time you pray in Advent. You may need to get more candles. That would be great. This common practice will unite us in the darkening days. Shine your light on social media using #HowWeHope as often as you need to feel the connection. You are not alone. The Lord is near. We are near.
Today’s Bible reading
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”—Luke 2:12-14
More thoughts for meditation
Even the multitude of the heavenly host are expecting this announcement. Just as the angel delivers the message that this savior, born in the city of David, they erupt in worship. The whole world is getting the good news and this announcement is even excited for the angels, the ones who dwell “in the realms of endless day.” The day they’ve been waiting for arrives and they are ready to worship. God Almighty is now God-With-Us. The one in the highest heaven has now entered the world through a child wrapped in bands of cloth. This dramatic contrast, the “Light of light descendeth” to offer peace on the ones his favor rests. And the whole sky erupts in worship. The shepherds may have no idea what they are walking into, but the angels know and are declaring it.
Suggestions for action
Worship is an act of freedom, a release from our lamentation, and an expression of the promise that’s coming, a reflection on the promise of joy that awaits. Worshiping now helps us hope, helps us wait. So today, engage in an act of worship. Maybe it’s joining the lamentations on racism tonight (Zoom link here), which is an act of worship onto itself. Maybe it’s spinning this Audio Arts record designed for Advent.
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