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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

An embodied Advent invites us to live the experience of this season fully, with our whole selves, right here and right now as we await the Christ child. For many of us, it is challenging to embrace this concept. The world pulls us away from the joy of being present in our bodies and gives us expectations of what our bodies should be, how they should perform, and what they should look like. We forget that our bodies are blessed and consecrated. God did not create the body to bring us doubt or shame. … Instead, God created us as living and breathing human beings who have the ability to live as whole persons—body and spirit together.

—Whitney R. Simpson, Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Advent Devotional for the Whole Self (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Today’s Question

What helps you be more present in your body? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

God created humanity in God’s own image,

in the divine image God created them,

male and female God created them.
—Genesis 1:27 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, thank you for creating my whole self. Help me
to continue to slow down and hope, be mindful and present,
and use my body to draw closer to you on the journey this
Advent. Make me a wise one who seeks you always. Amen.
Prayer by Whitney R. Simpson
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Are you enjoying this week’s reflections? It’s not too late to join us for Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Embodied Advent Online Experience. In this season, we are challenged to live in the “right here, right now” as we await the birth of Christ—the embodiment of God’s presence. Register today here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 30, 2022 5:51 am

    I’m very unsure of my understanding of the concept presented in today’s reflection. I’m satisfied with the body I have, it has kept me all these years. Yes. it is showing signs of wear, age, but it still works. I’m thankful for that.
    A warm day forecast, high 52, and rain. Back to typical November weather tonight. The church is decorated, the first Advent candle lit. Our Advent book study about John the Baptist began yesterday, Zoom fellowship and set up for the Nativity Scene / Cookie Walk on Friday. The walk happens Saturday from noon – 4. Communion during worship on Sunday.
    US World Cup soccer team advanced to the next round with a big win yesterday.
    Need to catch up with NEM, until I do what is happening with all of you is a mystery.
    Blessings and prayers. Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted November 30, 2022 8:04 am

    Prayers for David in the hospital, thankfully receiving treatment for quite a few issues. Pray all goes well. Hope Ally is able to rest up during this time. Prayers for God’s wisdom on purchasing a dog at Julie and Megan’s home. Thankful for the activities that Julie an Megan do together. The spirit of Advent is with many NEM family members. That’s a blessing. Lots going on in OH with Jill, Becky, Don, and Larry; school activities, PT, godson’s basketball, the kittens, and football. I too was disappointed OSU lost, but it has taken 22 years for that to happen in Columbus. Can’t win them all.
    The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year vacation is always full of activities, tension rises as the vacation nears. Hope for safe days. Blessings and prayers, Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted November 30, 2022 5:11 pm

    I, too, am a bit perplexed by today’s question. The one thought I did have was that, unfortunately, I am more aware of my body, due to how it is feeling. I certainly have been blessed with much time of a fully functioning body, free of pain and stiffness. I took that time for granted. Now, I must be sure I am treating myself better…aware of my age and limitations. Not easy, when in the past, I have “powered” through discomfort. Now, my body sings a less forgiving tune. But – I am still able to be quite active, and I am grateful. I must listen to my body.
    My tennis friend, who lost her mother at the end of summer, is going to attend a Hope and Remembrance service with me on Sunday. I went to this the year my mom passed, and it was quite meaningful. I believe my friend is doing well, and also, by attending this – is doing something for herself and her own grief journey. I am grateful to be accompanying her and trust our time together will be sacred.
    Tomorrow is a 12 hour day at work with conferences for 4 hours at the end of school. Will be heading to bed here shortly. Got to bed late last night, following my god son’s game. As I suspected, they got beat, although they fought valiantly in the second half and got back in the game to make it more than respectable.

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