Poem by Elizabeth A. McDonald of Alva, Oklahoma USA

It’s exactly what [God] promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

Based on the Advent Devotion for Families and Households available at https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/h/0e18630581_1729692500_hope-is-near-advent-2024-23102024.pdf 

Open: Light a candle or ring a chime.

Ask: Take a few minutes and ask yourself, “When did I feel hope today or yesterday?”

Listen:

Peace on earth hardly seems a possibility
When violence erupts in every corner,
When hatred is heard in the report of a gun,
And sorrow and pain are reflected in the eyes of children.

We frantically make plans for Christmas to come—
We bake, shop, wrap, trim the tree, sing, and party.
Yet Christmas eludes us and seems more distant.
A hunger arises in our souls, and we search to make it whole.

We catch the echo of music from above us
And pause to listen to the ever-swelling strain.
Our voices begin to join the chorus born of stardust,
And we hurry with tired feet to find a sacred place.

We enter a stable, where cows and donkeys abide.
A place where a baby’s cry comes from a bed of straw.
Moving closer to get a better view of one so small
We kneel to touch tiny fingers and murmur a quiet lullaby.

And suddenly we know…we know…we know!
Here is the peace we seek for troubled times;
Here is healing for every wound in our lives;
Here is love and light that confronts darkness and hatred.
Here we have found Christmas…
Here where God meets us in the ordinary
And touches us gently like we are newborn babies.
Here we have found Christmas, a holy place in our hearts. NOEL! NOEL!

Breathe

The season of Advent reminds us that even as we wait for the birth of Christ in our lives and world, God is always with us. Right here, right now—wherever we are and with the ones we love. Take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God.

Respond

How can you bring hope to others today?

Song Prayer

Choose a song to sing or invite others to sing with you (making up their own melody) whatever prayer phrase they want to contribute. They can be silly or serious.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.