We rejoice, for the Light of the World has come to darkness. Jesus Christ is the Light that no darkness can overcome. Advent is a season of preparation as God’s people watch and wait for Christ. We will be pondering the songs found in the gospel of Luke. The song of an old priest named Zechariah. Mary, the pregnant teenager. And angels come to shepherds in the countryside. We ponder these songs and rejoice.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus, open our eyes to your light and our ears to your words of hope. Come, O long-expected Jesus. Our hope is in you. Amen.
Word: Luke 1:68, 79
“For he has visited and redeemed his people… to give light to those who sit in darkness… to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Meditation: Waiting is Unpopular
Today’s meditation is written by Nathan Schultz.
Waiting is unpopular.
“Do something! Show you are able to make a difference. Don’t just sit there.”
If you are waiting, you are not in control. You are at the mercy of something or someone.
If you are not doing, producing, making, or improving, you may just prove yourself useless.
Waiting is unpopular.
We are paralyzed with fear that in waiting, we will be found useless. And yet to be pushed into constant work and striving is anxiety inducing.
By the way, what new skills or competencies did you pick up during your COVID-19 quarantine? That was a doozy of a job interview question I received a month back.
Your December to-do lists are growing dramatically as you hear this. There is no time for waiting.
If it all seems to be too much, you are in good company.
We belong to a God on whom we wait, and yet does not leave us waiting. We carve out a time, a place, and a community where we find a different way to live.
It is as inefficient as you would ever imagine. It does not produce or make, and you might even be proved useless by your peers.
But we wait. Because in the waiting, we listen. And in listening, we hear God’s promises.
If you take a look at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel account, it is a waiting game. Zechariah and Elizabeth are waiting. Mary is waiting. Simeon and Anna, also waiting. The whole opening scene is filled with waiting people. Waiting is the backdrop for God’s entrance into his world.
Zechariah received a promise, “Your wife is to bear you a son.” But then he was left waiting. Waiting is anticipation of what is possible, and what could happen. If God speaks it, then waiting on him is worthwhile.
God’s people wait. The alternative is often arrogance or an anxious life. But do not wait as those without hope, or wait on the wrong kind of promises. Wait on the one who does not leave us waiting.
“For he has visited and redeemed his people… to give light to those who sit in darkness… to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Father, do not leave us waiting. We wait for you. Amen.
Prayer for the World
· For my city, state, and country.
· For leaders: mayor, governor, president, congress.
· For those who serve the public: police officers, firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical personnel.
· For the nations of the world, for world leaders.
· For good government, good schools, good business.
· For justice, especially for the oppressed: minorities, immigrants and refugees, orphans, widows, the very young or unborn, the aged.
· For creation: for the care of land, air, wildlife, and sea.
Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, the condition and problems in my life require a miracle. Thank you for the miracle of the incarnation of your son Jesus. Continue to work the miracle of your salvation and redemption of the world each day. Amen!