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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

Think about what “simplify” means to you. You may have instantly thought about some part of your life that feels overwhelming, some task or responsibility that requires all of your energy just to manage. This invitation is not a call to fix those things that overwhelm you. … Instead, take a moment to ponder one way you can simplify your life.

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

Today’s Question

What single thing can you release during Advent to simplify your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Let the Lord give strength to his people!
Let the Lord bless his people with peace!
—Psalm 29:11 (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 December 4, 2022 6:40 am

    I like the idea of yesterday’s breathe prayer, I will try it. It may help bring some relief from the constant complaints of my son that belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are worthless. He’s
    very aliens. extraterrestrials oriented and believes they eliminate belief in God.
    It was a very busy day, set up for the Nativity Scene / Cookie Walk, the US-Netherlands soccer game, a memorial service for my wife’s aunt, a trip to help my son, break down of the Nativity Scene / Cookie Walk (about 20 people came, $210 was donated), rearrange the church for worship, and a rest. A wonderful surprise, our order of Springerle cookies arrived from Conestoga PA, they are gorgeous to look at, have the anise flavor we recognize, and taste very good. Dip in a cup of tea or coffee and YUM!
    Communion bread and juice are ready and at 8 am I’ll meet a pastor from our conference who will make it possible to consecrate and later serve Communion here at CCUMC. It’s called Extended Table.
    Up and down temperatures and rain but not snow, hopefully the three day snow forecast about a week away will be reality. Some ski areas have very limited, not many, trails open, Usually easy trails, perhaps one intermediate. It varies from day to day. An anxious skier here is becoming impatient.
    Blessings and prayers to all of the NEM family on this second Sunday in Advent. Thank You, Lord.

  • Ally Posted December 4, 2022 12:35 pm

    As waiting and hope seem to be recurring themes this Advent, I cherish any exercise that helps me hold onto hope. I’m really not sure with all that is going on with us, what would simplify my life. If I could let go and trust that God is working might be something. Jill, prayers for Larry as he mourns the passing of his cousin. Robert, I pray the breath prayers are beneficial in bringing you some peace. I find they help with my anxiety. Julie, prayers as you deal with this new issue with H. Love to all, and as we wait and hope In this advent season, may we keep our hearts open to blessings.

  • Lou Posted December 4, 2022 2:07 pm

    I feel right now – like Ally- that there is so much going on in my life that I find it difficult to release anything right now. I guess one thing I am trying to release is worry and maybe during this advent season I need to release the desire to make things “look nice”. I put up outdoor lights, purchased and set up my beautiful and fragrant tree, and am setting up various decorations around my house – but I am continually frustrated by how things look! I’m not the most creative person- so the idea in my head never seems to come to fruition. I’m working on letting go – and as my advent devotional reminded me today- I need to stop being ungrateful and focus on thanking God for all of my blessings. Maybe just simplifying around my house and being ok with what I have done and be grateful that I have all of my kids coming home who will just be happy to be here – THEY won’t care if the lights are wonky or if the garland is crooked! and surely God just wants my heart to be right…
    Thank you Robert and Ally for your blessings and prayers. Continued prayers for my family – especially my mother who is finally beginning to process the loss of my brother. I’m thankful that she will be with us and that all of the grandkids can surround her with love. Prayers for all in this advent season.

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