Friday, December 5, 2014
Advent Reflections
Diocese of Newark


Thank you for joining us as we begin the journey of Advent.  Each day you will receive a scripture reading, a reflection on that reading and a short prayer (except on Sundays when you will receive the Gospel lesson and a prayer).  The word "Advent" means "coming". It is a time to slow down, be quiet and meditate about the real meaning of Christmas.

  

These meditations and prayers have been prepared by a team of diverse members of our Diocese.  Joan Chittister, says: "The function of Advent is to remind us what we're waiting for as we go through life too busy with things that do not matter to remember the things that do. Advent asks the question, what is it for which you are spending your life?"

  

We all desperately crave more meaningful, less cluttered, lives, yet we rarely take the time to slow down and ask this question. The hope is that these reflections each day during the four weeks before Christmas will help us to prepare our hearts and our lives as we wait for the coming of Jesus. 

May this Advent be a time of hope, anticipation and a deepening of our relationship with God. Please feel free to share.

Scripture 

 

 

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble, in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand,

 I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

 my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol,

or let your faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy;

 in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

                                                                                                               Psalm 16

                                                                                  (the other appointed Psalm for the day is 17)

       

Reflection
  
 

 

Today's reading reminds me of the importance of a personal relationship with God. I love the Psalms because they always make me feel like I am speaking directly to God and these two psalms remind me of the order of things. I mostly go through life without consciously recognizing the way God is working in and around my life. However, when I take time to stop and breathe I realize that I am blessed with the things that matter to me: family, friends, experiences that grow me and love. In recognizing these, I think it only right to thank and praise God for continuing to show me love no matter what.


 
Prayer
 
 O God!
Refresh and gladden my spirit.
Purify my heart.
Illumine my powers.
I lay all my affairs in Thy hands.
Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.
I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved;
I will be a happy and joyful being.
O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety,
nor will I let trouble harass me.
I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.
I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
-- Baha'i Prayers - `Abdu'l-bahá


 

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