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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

Through the power of incarnation, the Christ energy became visible, and comes to fruition as the person Jesus of Nazareth, born as a helpless baby to a poor couple in a backwater town. This idea is so huge it is almost preposterous. If it were written as science fiction you would most likely laugh it off as too out-there to take seriously. But it’s the basic idea our faith is built on, this idea of a God so intent on achieving a oneness with humanity that God enters into its history and erases the boundaries between the infinite and the limited, the thinker and the thought.

—Melissa Tidwell, Embodied Light: Advent Reflections on the Incarnation (Upper Room Books, 2013)

Today’s Question

What does it mean to be reconciled with God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For in [Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
—Colossians 1:19-20 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Light of the world, who made all things, speak me
afresh that I might not only hear your word and receive
your essence, but also embody the word you have spoken
in me. Amen.
Prayer by Melissa Tidwell
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For many people, this time of year is not always merry and bright. Whether they have recently suffered a loss or the season simply brings up old wounds, almost everyone has moments of darkness and sorrow during Christmastime. Join us in praying for those in need or share your own prayer request at The Upper Room Prayer Wall.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted December 20, 2022 6:41 am

    No problems here, Ally, just busy days, errands, activities at church, a first day, the earliest ever, of skiing for Erich, the World Cup soccer final, football, present wrapping and so on.
    Glad Davi is coming home, Jeremy too.
    Busy days at Julie and Megan’s, Jill’s. Hope Becky is recovering well, Glad Larry ha a check up and is following a course of action that seems appropriate. Hope Jill’s cough, sore throat goes away.
    With Covid, the flu, and RSV possible the slightest sign of something makes us all more attentive.
    I think being reconcile to God means repenting, asking for forgiveness, being forgiven, and in a restored relationship with God.
    As Advent turns later this week to Christmas Eve and the days of Christmas, may you all be blessed, refreshed, renewed, uplifted, and full of joy. Believers carry Jesus in their hearts, minds, and souls. Thank You. Lord.

  • April Posted December 20, 2022 9:37 am

    Reconciled, at peace, living in harmony and without fear. Our Advent sermon series has been about choices: hope instead of fear; joy instead of fear; peace instead of fear; and last Sunday was love instead of fear. The sentence that stuck with me was when he shared that he has a trans child and how hard can be for families with trans….he encouraged us to choose love. Yes, Jesus came that we might choose hope, joy, peace, love instead of fear. May I make wise choices and be reconciled.
    It has been a little over a year since our world turned upside down, but this Christmas we are celebrating a new although different life “style” together. I rejoice and am filled with joy that God provides at all times. Christ was born to save those who choose His way. Holy Spirit strengthens us and is truly the wind beneath our wings.
    I pray that today’s homecoming for David will be a joyous time and the days ahead ones of healing.
    May Jill enjoy time with her family as you spend time together.
    I love to read how Julie and Meghan are celebrating Christmas. I pray that you may be strengthened as you care for h.
    I re-pray the prayers you write Robert, and add your and Erick’s names too.
    Lou, I am imagining your family gathering and sharing time together. What a blessing for all as this season is filled with sadness and joy.
    All NEM family members, I hold you close as I sit at my table. Jesus is the reason for the Season.

  • Julie Posted December 20, 2022 9:39 am

    We are reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus, shed for our sins. It is freely given and we are undeserving of such grace. I strive to live into this wondrous relationship and attempt to seek his forgiveness when I do not reach the mark.
    A friend of mine received wonderful news yesterday. This will elevate her and her family’s situation immensely. The most wonderful part aside from the money and healthcare coverage is that she received this promotion from her boss who is from a culture that treats women as lesser than. She and a man were competing for this position and she was given the promotion. How amazing and wondrous are his acts.

  • Ally Posted December 20, 2022 6:26 pm

    To reconcile means to restore relationship. Christ accomplished this with the cross. His sacrifice makes possible our relationship with a holy God. This serves as a model for how we relate to others.
    David and Jeremy are home. David is getting around a lot better. We talked and he does and he does understand that he has to keep up the hard work to continue improvement. Jeremy is doing well. Eating a lot. Our vet recommended that he get only canned food. She said any kind will do, because it helps hydrate him. Thanks to you all for your prayers for us.
    Bitter cold is on it’s way. Low of 16 Friday. I’m going to try to do some baking Thursday and Friday. I used to bake up a storm at Christmas.

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