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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

All of us can look back on our lives and identify red-letter days, events that mark the stages in our journey. Starting school, having our children, having our youngest child start or graduate from school, getting our first job, buying our first car on our own, buying our first home—remembering events such as these can help us reflect on how God has borne us along and move us to gratitude for God’s goodness.

Revisiting memories of special times can awaken memories of more ordinary days—the ones that make up the majority of our lives—and help us to see that God is active in them too. As we learn to notice and mark God’s acts in these ordinary days, we will see more and more of what God is doing.

—Mary Lou Redding, God Was with Me All Along: A Guide for Capturing Your Memories and Telling Your Story (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

What is your favorite memory of a family activity or gathering? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.
—Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Loving God, be near me as I recall events from my life. Guide me to look at my past with forgiveness and love. Help me to accept where I am in my life journey and to recognize ways you have been present with me all along. Thank you for your unconditional love and for the strength you give me each day. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

In Fully Human, Fully Divine, Whitney R. Simpson writes, “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.” Learn more about this year’s Advent resource by visiting UpperRoom.org/fullyhuman.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Reign of Christ

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 18, 2022 6:11 am

    No one special day stands out more than another. There were many birthdays, Easters, Christmases
    that were all precious and will continue to be precious. I’m thankful for all of them. Plans for this year are made.
    Had a good long Face Time with my daughter yesterday, Glad of it. For 50 years yesterday was an ordinary day, for the last 25 years it has been a day of remembrance.
    Tomorrow my Dad would have been 103.
    Thankful for both German and Korean foods that we will enjoy through the holidays, they perk me up. Stollen, Lebkuchen, and Marzipan (fruit cake, gingerbread, and almond confection) on the German menu and Kalbijjim, Hobakjuk, and Mandu ( beef short ribs, squash porridge, and dumplings) on the Korean menu, Tasty ties to our heritage.
    Still snow on the ground, temps in the 30s, flurries for the next hour.
    Blessings and prayers to all, be safe and warm, hold each other in prayer, and rest in the assurance
    of God’s abundant grace, love, and mercy. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted November 18, 2022 12:20 pm

    As I think back to our family gatherings, generally around holidays – I guess my favorite would be picnics. The weather was nice, we were outside, the kids were active. One of our traditions is to have a water balloon throwing contests with pairs of people. Then once the contest is over, all the kids would grab the extra water balloons and throw them at people. We would also play volleyball, kickball and badminton.
    This week has obviously gotten away from me…late nights (at least for me on a school night). Rehabtherapy – I am encouraged – as I found out my tennis friend and her husband both rehabbed at this place. And her daughter currently works there. Was very surprised when she called out my name while I was being checked in. I was there almost two hours. Some of the manipulation and massage was painful. But – yesterday I didn’t feel too bad. My next appt is Monday after school.
    Dad, Becky and Don got in safely last night – welcomed by the snow. They were grumbling. Will spend time with them tomorrow after my god son’s basketball scrimmage.
    Will try to be more consistent with daily posting here.

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