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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 THE prelude to Christmas, trees often take a prominent place in many homes. Serving as a symbol of life, faith, and salvation, trees are focal points for our Christmas celebrations and anticipations. Like the prophet Jeremiah, we are expecting our salvation to come quickly. We are expecting a light in the darkness, and we continue to hold out hope for peace.

—Todd Outcalt, Blue Christmas: Devotions of Light in a Season of Darkness (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

What do you anticipate God will do this Advent?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.’”

—Jeremiah 33:14-15 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

God of Light, be my hope in this season. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

Something More

The Staff of The Upper Room invites you to join us for a virtual “Blue Christmas” worship service, also known as the “Longest Night” service. This service is especially designed to give voice and hope to those who are grieving or who are experiencing loss. Click here to watch the video and be sure to share it with a friend.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

11 Comments

  • Billie Posted December 6, 2019 6:38 am

    I anticipate that God will shed a new light of purpose.

    • Bj Posted December 6, 2019 6:40 am

      Yes, God will increase us in His favor!

  • Gail Churchill Posted December 6, 2019 6:41 am

    I anticipate that God will open the hearts of people to welcome all people to the community of believers regardless of their sexual orientation. I pray this for my church. I anticipate that my family’s hearts will be open to welcome Christ. I anticipate that we will all extend radical hospitality, and that all will be welcomed, including immigrants.

    • Bj Posted December 6, 2019 6:50 am

      In Jesus name, I pray that we will all be ready.

  • Bj Posted December 6, 2019 6:48 am

    Haggai 2:9 (KJV) reads, “The glory of his latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.” Good morning, UR family! May this day be blessed in God’s “FAVOR.”

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 6, 2019 8:01 am

    I anticipate that God will draw His people closer to Him and to love Him more deeply.

    Blessings!

  • Julie Posted December 6, 2019 8:19 am

    I do not expect grandiose gestures, after all we are celebrating the arrival of Israel’s King as a tiny babe in a lowly manger. In keeping with the serenity prayer, I have the ability to accept this gift and allow it to work miracles within my own heart and soul. May it be so and may I be gladly and openly receiving.
    Prayers for Mary as she begins her weekend, may it be restful.
    Prayers for BJ and her encyclopidic knowledge of scripture.
    Prayers for new posters Rick, Billie and Gail.
    Prayers for Lou and her family.
    Prayers for Connie, Jeanna and Marcy and their health issues.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry and their sorrow, for Larry is not the only one missing Gloria.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and religious tolerance.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 6, 2019 8:40 am

      Thanks Julie!

      May miracles happen within your heart and soul!

      Enjoy your weekend!

  • Karen Meyn Posted December 6, 2019 9:46 am

    I expect that Creator God will send down his mighty love into every willing heart. It will be this love that will open our ears and eyes to our truth and unite all faiths to work for healing our Mother Earth. There will be spiritual clarity to love ourselves as the vessels of this love and others, as we love ourselves and wish to be treated. No longer will we let “religion” separate us into “us” and “them.” How we behave will determine our role. We each have an important part to play, starting with ourselves and those we wake up to each day.

  • robert moeller Posted December 6, 2019 3:08 pm

    There is a time for every purpose, God knows best the timing. I hope for an all inclusive church, that believers will come from unbelievers, that a just, equitable, and people oriented government will come about all around the world, and that migrants, immigrants will be fairly treated. May the reasons that cause migration end.

  • Rick Posted December 6, 2019 4:10 pm

    I am expectant Gods favor is on and around me. I’m mindful that the holidays can be painful and sad for many and Lonely. I pray that I can be the light and love of Christ to all I encounter near and far. Lifting your prayers joys and concerns up. I’m grateful for all here.

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