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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, the first season of the church year, we relive the story of Jesus, the wonder of how he came to be, the story of his birth. We don’t yet know what God has in store, but we trust God’s promises of righteousness, justice, and peace for our hurting world and our discouraged spirits. We live in the hope, that despite our current struggles, God has something good in store for us.

Jesus, the hope of the world, is coming to an unsuspecting world.

—Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas (Upper Room Books, 2009)

Today’s Question

How can you trust more deeply in God’s promises today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his servant David.”
—Luke 1:68-69 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Clear away the clutter, O God, that I might have more room for you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room wishes you a blessed Christmas season, full of joy and love, in celebration of the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ. You can continue to spread the gift of Jesus by giving to The Upper Room. With a tax-deductible donation of any size, you can impact lives throughout the world.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted December 20, 2021 7:46 am

    Two words come to mind immediately, TRUST and OBEY. Having seen, felt God work, that’s easier nowadays even though i am challenged a lot. A calm morning here, cold – high of 28, sun and cloudy skies. In this week leading up to Christmas I hope, pray that Julie finds the right job, Larry sells the condo for the right price, Ally&David receive the disability approval they seek, Roger and Jeremy do well, and everyone is safe from Covid and its variants. Concerns about Omicron mat affect my Christmas plans, that’s yet †o be determined, but the hot topic for the moment. Thank You, Lord for the blessings of the day.

  • Julie Posted December 20, 2021 8:34 am

    I try to think of the past and how God must have been there throughout my life. My life has been rife with hardships but I am still surviving.
    I have applied to so many jobs! The customer service job that my church friend told me about still hasn’t been posted, but I will continue to check and will apply immediately. I have applied for the position with my eye doctor. These are the two I most hope are God’s will for me.
    Prayers for Ally, David and Jeremy’s, for finances, disability application approval and health. Prayers for Jill, Larry and Roger, for health and house sales and a break. Prayers for Robert and Erich, for discernment regarding holiday plans given Covid concerns and for discernment regarding plans and responsibity for a future. Prayers for Marti and her staff.
    Thank you again for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Jill Posted December 20, 2021 3:30 pm

    Keeping His promises fresh in my mind and talking well to myself are at the top of the list. Remaining consistently in the Word, so that I am familiar with His promises is important.
    Brilliant sunshine today. A doctors appointment and some errands completed before noon. So, I was able to take a nice nap and get in a walk this afternoon. The first walk in a long time.
    Trying to figure out what Christmas Eve will look like, as my best friend and her family are not vaccinated. We usually do church, dinner and cookies. I will be taking Roger to their house, as my friend and I leave for the beach on December 26. It is best to get him there and settled Christmas Eve, as we both will be going to various relatives for Christmas Day.

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