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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

During Advent, we glory in the humble and small. Herod felt threatened by a small baby. Once that baby was a grown man, his friends fanned out into the world and provoked riots. Paranoid authorities complained, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also. . . . They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus” (Acts 17:6-7). But not just another king. The King. The King of kings. Emmanuel, before whom rulers silent fall.

—James C. Howell, Why This Jubilee? Advent Reflections on Songs of the Season (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

How would a wise leader embrace the arrival of the King of kings? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one.
—Zechariah 14:9 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The new year is just around the corner. Don’t forget to order your copy of The Upper Room Disciplines 2021.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted December 10, 2020 5:21 am

    A wise leader would need to be a child of The King to properly embrace Him, honor His Lordship and rule while walking in step with His Saviour. This leader would recognize God’s sovereignty and would be humble in service.
    I attended an advent zoom thing last night, led by my former spiritual director. It was a nice respite from the hecticness of grading and exam prep. It’s crazy to me how fast the weeks are flying by and here we are just a few short weeks from Christmas. Despite doing an online devotional with my friend and reading a book about Advent – the “Christmas spirit” – whatever that is – is woefully lacking.
    I spoke with my colleague last night who is battling breast cancer. She soldiers on…her calendar and life tied to treatments. Yet – she sounded good, the fight is still there in her.

  • Julie Posted December 10, 2020 8:35 am

    There was an article in the Washington Post about Biden and how he attends church every Sunday. It highlighted how he quietly attends and doesn’t draw attention to the fact or to himself. It also pointed out how politics ended at the door. This represents my answer, a wise leader would reogize that he is leader of the political sphere and that Jesus is King of the Spiritual realm and the two would live in harmony.
    Prayers for Jill and her friend who is fighting cancer, may the fight never leave her soul and may those around her continue to stoke it when it lags.
    Prayers for Ally and David and may their health and legal issues be soon resolved.
    Prayers for Robert and his family, may all be safe and well.
    Prayers for Rick, and thanksgiving for hearing from him again. May he find what he searches here and in God’s Word and may he find peace during this season or birth and rejoicing.
    The kittens have rsumed their antics and are now able to jump on the counter. Megan and I will have a talk regarding this as I am worried that they could do real harm and damage.

  • Lou Posted December 10, 2020 8:52 am

    A wise leader would bow down and worship Him and praise Him as we should find time to do daily. I’m finding worship opportunities throughout the day- my neighbors probably think I’m a little crazy but I’ve been singing praise songs (very very quietly) as I walk my little dog – she has 3-4 short walks each day and as my back has been giving me some trouble I’ve started singing my praise songs as I walk in order to give me strength ! As well as to praise the Lord – My prayer bowl reminds me to pray throughout the day also- these small acts are keeping me focused on this season- I am struggling with the Christmas Spirit as Jill noted –
    Prayers and blessings to all today that you may find ways to worship the Lord and therein find the Spirit.

  • robert moeller Posted December 10, 2020 2:52 pm

    I agree with the comments on how a worldly king would meet THE KING. Search, ask questions, listen, accept, believe, and know that Jesus is not a threat, on the contrary it is Jesus who enables. A good worldly ruler depends, like all believers do on God, the Father, Jesus the Sun, and the Holy Spirit.

    A quieter day and yet problems to solve, thankful the solution is ready to go. Progress too in the mail-express car, stirrup steps installed, extra ones needed have been ordered, working on the windows and security bars. A nice meal awaits. Breakfast with the pastor in the morning. Some snow flurries, but the snow settled only on higher elevations.

    Prayers for cancer patients mentioned here, at church, and any where in the world. Thankful so much progress has been made, still a ways to go, certainly not an easy disease to overcome, but we keep at it.
    Thankful Rick has posted, hope all is going well with him. Prayers for Marcy and Julie, their health, well-being, means of support, and safety. A positive end to this semester for Julie and her students. Schools here and elsewhere closing down as virus cases climb. Be safe and sound. The Lord is ever present knowing that we need Him. Thank You, Lord.

  • Rick Posted December 10, 2020 3:20 pm

    How would a wise leader embrace the arrival of the King of kings? I think a wise leader would bow down to the King of Kings and be gracious and humble as well as hospitable. This advent season I too have struggled with the Christmas Spirt and know I’m lacking in it this year. I will press on and continue with my advent readings. I think perhaps once we finally get into our new home, I will feel more settled and more comfortable. It has been a year of much change with all that we have all endured through these times. I feel most at home with all of you here. I have been focusing on gratitude, as well as the light of the world coming into to the world. Keeping you all in my thoughts and lifting you up in prayer.

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