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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

God’s promise—“I am with you”—comes with an invitation—“Will you be with me?” With is a powerful word that evokes a sense of connection and partnership. God does not bulldoze over us, forcing God’s self into our lives. We can choose to live without God. … Wonderfully, even though we repeatedly turn our backs on God, Advent reminds us that God never gives up on us and continues to live within us, offering a steadfast love that will not let us go.

—Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Advent: Words of Wonder (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What helps you feel God’s presence with you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.”
—Matthew 1:23 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy One, guide me as I reflect on the wonder of Jesus’ birth this Advent. May Jesus be born anew in my life. Help me to show his love and grace to others. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This year, The Upper Room Chapel is celebrating Advent with preachers from across the globe in a special Advent Around the World Series. Hear preachers from Ukraine and the Caribbean, just to name a few. Join us on Facebook or YouTube each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. (CST) for a moment of prayer and worship this Advent season.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted December 10, 2022 9:21 am

    Looking at creation, especially sunrises and sunsets. Prayer and reading the Bible. This group of people who pray for one another.
    H continues to chafe at restrictions caused by his limited cognitive and physical abilities. He constantly takes these frustrations out on me. He conttinues to believe he will “get better.”
    Prayers for Ally and David, may Ally recouperate and rest while David is in rehab and may David be released prior to Christmas. Prayers for Jill as she continue with physical therapy and for Becky as she faces surgery and an extended recovery period. Prayers for Lou and her family as they unite to celebrate Christmas as well as mourn her brother. Prayers for Robert and Erich and the CCUMC, may Erich find the patience to await the move and may the CCUMC grow and thrive.

  • robert moeller Posted December 10, 2022 9:49 am

    There are moments, especially during worship, when I believe I am feeling God’s presence. They sneak up on me. Some would say they are emotions, and some of that may be true, but it could just the way God makes His/Her presence known. Emotions come from the heart. For years I didn’t have these moments, but in the last 25 years they are certainly there. Thank You, Lord.
    A tough situation with H , Julie, we are taught to be positive, never give up, always have hope. It’s hard to understand H’s situation, we aren’t him. Knowing that God is always there, will help him through this, is the best understanding I have. Yes, I ad my prayers for Ally’s recovery, David’s PT,
    Becky’s surgery and recovery, Lou and her family, and thank you and all NEM for your prayers for Erich, CCUMC, and me. More dialog, and understanding that patience is needed, that there are actions we can are are taking to prepare for the much desired move are all helpful. From the smallest seed the mustard bush grows, hopefully that will apply to CCUMC as well. The valley needs more young people, that is a serious issue. Enrollment is dropping at schools. Climate change is affecting the winter side of tourism. and this is a very tourist focused economy. Low pay and insufficient housing don’t help. There are more “old” people than young. Keeping an eye on the market, the weather, and what we can do to improve the situation. God is always with us. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted December 10, 2022 10:37 am

    Me being intentional about stilling my mind, then turning to the Psalms or a specific song or two – these have been crucial in the past few weeks as I have stepped into His presence. I have enjoyed extended periods of good focus and peace.
    Julie – I continue to ask God to strengthen you as you are in the midst of ever-changing scenarios. May you sense His peace and guidance in the decisions and conversations you have.
    Robert – your steadfastness and perseverance speaks deeply to me – your wisdom is an example.
    Last evening, prior to a rivalry basketball game, a gun was found on a student inside our school. These incidents are occurring with increasing frequency – and the climate amongst the staff is harried at best. Another school in our district had police called to it yesterday, as there were 6 fights and pepper spray was used. These escalations are playing into the hands of our negotiation committee, no doubt. But the school climate is in the toilet. Gotta make it 8 more school days until break.
    Heading to my dad and sisters here after lunch for an afternoon of games and dinner. Then to my god son’s basketball game. He got his first start last evening and the team won the game.

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