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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

THE INTERPLAY of light and darkness is one of the central themes of Advent, and in times of despair and depression, light can be a most welcome presence. Likewise, just as sunlight is dependable and consistent (the sun always rises!), people of faith regard the light as a sign of God’s faithfulness and mercy. br>
Every day is a gift. We do not create the world or make the sun rise or bring rain upon the earth. These are God’s mercies offered to us new each day.

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

Today's Question

What serves as a sign for you of God’s faithfulness and mercy?  

Today's Scripture

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”

—Lamentations 3:22-23 (NRSV)

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

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Today's Reflection

JOURNEYING THROUGH our days without Christ as our companion results in a dark and joyless life. But when the beams of God’s mercy break through the clouds of this gloomy world, the illumination of the Son warms our hearts and cheers our eyes. The darkness cannot overcome this light, for Jesus is the true and only Light, the Sun of Righteousness, the Dayspring, the Daystar who arises in our hearts with healing in his wings.

—Paul Wesley Chilcote, A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Today's Question

How has God’s light illuminated your darkness?  

Today's Scripture

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
—John 1:5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Blue Christmas: Devotions of Light in a Season of Darkness, an Advent devotional book by Todd Outcalt, reminds us that even in our darkest times, God offers us hope and comfort if we are willing to bring our deepest fears into the light of God’s love. Discover more.

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

7 Comments | Join the Conversation.