Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon 10:15-21

15 A holy people and blameless race wisdom delivered from a nation of oppressors,

16 She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs.

17 She gave to holy people the reward of their labors; she guided them along a marvelous way, and became a shelter to them by day, and a starry flame through the night.

18 She brought them over the Red Sea, and led them through deep waters;

19 but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up from the depth of the sea.

20 Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly; they sang hymns, O Lord, to your holy name, and praised with one accord your defending hand;

21 for wisdom opened the mouths of those who were mute, and made the tongues of infants speak clearly.

Wisdom

Sirach 24:1-12

1 Wisdom praises herself, and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.

2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:

3 "I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist.

4 I dwelt in the highest heavens, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.

5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven and traversed the depths of the abyss.

6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth, and over every people and nation I have held sway."

7 Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide?

8 "Then the Creator of all things gave me a command, and my Creator chose the place for my tent. The Creator said, 'Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'

9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me, and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.

10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion.

11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my domain.

12 I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.

Week of Love, Day 6

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love.

God of hope, 
Prince of peace, 
Jubilee Judge, 
and Lord of love, 
your goodness is beyond our wildest imaginings. 
You give us more than we can think to ask, 
coming to us with impossible possibility 
in the union of flesh and spirit. 
Teach us to love this world and all people 
as you love us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
God of promise, God of hope, 
into our darkness come. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/worship/pdfs/lighting_the_advent_wreath.pdf 

Week of Love, Day 5

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem 

O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the king,
and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.

O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us; abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel! 

Week of Love, Day 4

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love.

Below is a reflection of Luke 2:15-20. On this day after Christmas, how do we remember those things that matter?

Luke 2:15-20

"And Mary committed all these things to memory and considered them carefully."

How do we remember what really matters?

If Mary, Joseph, or the shepherds are anything like you and I, they remember in snippets. Fiercely clear, full of detail, but in bits and pieces. Like moving photos, sensory snapshots, of the past.

The exhaustion after harried journey.

Black-and-white, static-filled memories of remembered pain.

Flashes of kind, unknown womens’ faces.

The sweat and struggle,

and then the mewl of a tiny, brand-new voice.

The mud and stone walls, the shuffling of animals.

The fullness of silence after long effort,

and the night out the small window,

bright-burning with stars.

The candles, their flicker and glow.

In the half-light, a small, soft face, all nose and eyes, familiar and totally new.

A so-small hand, a wondering gaze.

In all things, mystery. In all things, grace.

The knock of late-night strangers, nobodies — shepherds arrived to look with wide-amazed eyes at this strange, mundane thing:

a new family, huddled against the animals.

Here, right here,

Promises, long-felt, long-whispered,

now seen and touched.

The beauty of this moment,

its sweetness — the sublime and the mundane,

Everything as had been told,

Everything as it should be.

And each one quietly wondering about the greatness

and the sadness

and the fullness

of what may be


yet to come.

The sublime and the mundane.

*This reflection was originally written by the Rev. Anna Kendig. It was originally posted on the website http://advent2013communitydevotional.wordpress.com/ 

Week of Love, Day 3

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love.

Living God, with Elizabeth we cry out in wonder: 
How can this be, that the Lord has come to us? 
Fill us with the life of the Holy Spirit 
so that we may greet your gracious promise 
with hearts that leap for joy; 
through Jesus Christ, your Word fulfilled. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Love, Day 2

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love. 

Most High God, for you nothing is impossible. 
Through a poor young woman in a small town 
you gave birth to your realm of endless glory. 
By your Holy Spirit, fill us with new life and hope 
and overshadow us with your power and grace 
so that we, like Mary, might be your servants, 
bearing witness to the promise of your Word; 
through Jesus Christ, who is coming to reign. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf 

Week of Love, Day 1

On Sunday we lit the fourth candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents love.

We light this candle with love. 

God of generations, 
your promises come to birth in surprising ways. 
Fill our hearts with courage and hope 
and fill our dreams with visions of new life 
so that we live according to your word 
and love with the fullness of your grace; 
in the holy name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Joy, Day 6

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

O Lord, our redeemer, 
you lead us from languishing in sorrow’s shadows 
into laughter’s joy over your abundant restoration. 
Thank you that you are coming for us 
to lead us home along your Way, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/worship/pdfs/lighting_the_advent_wreath.pdf 

Week of Joy, Day 5

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant;
O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come, and behold him, born the King of angels!

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord!

True God from true God,
Light from light eternal,
born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
very God, begotten, not created! [Refrain]

Sing, choirs of angels;
sing in exultation;
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest! [Refrain]

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]

Week of Joy, Day 4

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

Below is a reflection of Isaiah 35:8-10. Serving as a reminder that "even fools won't get lost" during this season of Advent.

Isaiah 35:8-10

A highway will be there.  It will be called The Holy Way.  The unclean won’t travel on it, but it will be for those walking on that way.  Even fools won’t get lost on it; no lion will be there, and no predator will go up on it.

None of these will be there; only the redeemed will walk on it.  The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads.

Happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and groaning will flee away.

What a relief to know that even fools like me stand a chance when travelling the holy way of God —“even fools won’t get lost on it.”

I know what it feels like to be lost on the way. One time a friend and I took a somewhat impromptu back-country hike along a footpath to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument near Lake Powell in what felt like no-man’s-land between Utah, Arizona, and the Navajo Nation. We got a late start, so most of the hike was in the dark of night, illuminated only by our headlamps and a mercifully full moon.

At one point we missed a critical turn on the trail and were lost in the dark. It was a frightening feeling to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no good sense of where to go.

Finally, we happened upon a small wooden sign that pointed us in the right direction. Somehow we had missed it the first, second, and probably third time that we passed it. But it made all the difference. We got back on the trail and made it, at long last, to our destination at Rainbow Bridge, a marvelous sight made even more special by the ordeal of our midnight journey. It was a foolish trip, but we made it anyway.

Throughout the ordeals of life’s journey, God provides a variety of signs that point us in the right direction. During this season of Advent we are especially mindful of God’s revelation in Christ. And like the light of our headlamps piercing the darkness of the trail, God’s grace helps fools like us to see what we might otherwise miss.


*This reflection was written by the Rev. John Vest. It was originally posted on the website http://advent2013communitydevotional.wordpress.com/

Week of Joy, Day 3

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

Holy God, you sent John into the wilderness 
to baptize and proclaim good news to all. 
Baptize us with the fire of your Spirit 
so that we may repent and bear good fruit,
while we await the promised coming 
of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf 

Week of Joy, Day 2

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

Holy One, you have come among us 
to lead us in paths of righteousness. 
Guide our feet through the wilderness 
toward the living water of your grace, 
following in the steps of our Savior: 
Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Joy, Day 1

On Sunday we lit the third candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents joy.

We light this candle for joy.

Long-awaited Savior, 
you are the promise of the prophets, 
and we are witnesses to your work— 
vision, movement, healing, 
music, new life, good news. 
Enlighten and enliven us, 
send us out to spread the word 
so that all may see and hear 
and know and believe 
that you are the coming of God, 
the Messiah. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf 

Week of Peace, Day 6

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

Faithful God, 
you are at work to restore all of creation 
in its intended harmony. 
Give us your shalom 
that we may be reconciled to all enemies 
in the peace that passes all understanding 
through Christ Jesus our Lord. 
God of promise, God of hope, 
into our darkness come. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/worship/pdfs/lighting_the_advent_wreath.pdf

Week of Peace, Day 5

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain

O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death's abode. Refrain

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. Refrain

O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain 

Week of Peace, Day 4

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

Below is a reflection of Matthew 11:2-6 and the "Advent Promise" that comes along with this passage.

Matthew 11:2-6 
Now when John heard in prison about the things the Christ was doing, he sent word by his disciples to Jesus, asking,  “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

 Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see.  Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them. Happy are those who don’t stumble and fall because of me.”

An Advent Promise

when the light shrinks and we gasp for daybreak
when our skin starts to shrivel for lack of water
or maybe just old age
when time-honored strategies break down
need dusting off or just hosing away
when we are doubled over with pain
at the hurt the world imposes
when no dot of light appears
at the end of endless tunnels
when all this and more piles up
the advent promise rights the tipping ship

you lack light?  did you forget about the star?
you dried up?   did you forget about the angels?
you hurting?   did you forget about the soft whispers of the shepherds?
you cynical?   did you forget about the sleeping babe?
you feeling stale?  Well, forget what you lack and anticipate the promise.
Emmanuel.  God With Us.  Miracle.  Awe.  Mystery.  Ahhh.

Oh what a relief it is.

Matthew’s Jesus is on a holy ransack of righting all that is wrong.  Blind, lame, lepers, deaf, even the dead.  Jesus says “bring it on! You cannot out-despair the good news I have to offer. ”   John the Baptist raises the question and the record is set straight.   This is not an ordinary prophet out trying to make his mark on the world.   This is different.   And verse 6 startles us awake.   Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.   Offense?   That’s just part of the package.  It’s offensive to right wrong.   Get used to it.   To sign on to the advent promise means offending people with good news that some don’t want to hear.   When that happens, move on.   There are plenty who still need to hear angel wings in the dark night.   There are plenty who are starved for miracle.   There are plenty who will stand up straight and walk out of the dark glowing with the light of Christmas morning.  Go for it.

*This reflection was written by Joy Douglas Strome. It was originally posted on http://advent2013communitydevotional.wordpress.com/. 

Week of Peace, Day 3

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

Holy God, through Isaiah and John 
you sent your word into the wilderness, 
crying out to repent, seek forgiveness, 
and prepare the way of the Lord. 
Now prepare the way in us and in our world 
for the coming of your living Word, 
so that all flesh may know your saving grace; 
through Christ, who is coming to reign. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Peace, Day 2

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

Holy God, you send messengers of good news 
to prepare the way for your glorious realm. 
Anoint us with your Spirit to proclaim your Word 
so that all may repent and believe in you; 
through Jesus Christ, our way in the wilderness. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Peace, Day 1

On Sunday we lit the second candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents peace.

We light this candle for peace.

God of flood and fire, 
you blaze a path for us in the wilderness 
and lead us through the depths in safety. 
Pour out the consuming power of your Spirit. 
Wash over us with truth and righteousness 
and fan the flames of justice as we wait 
for the coming of Jesus Christ our Savior, 
living water and light of the world. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Hope, Day 6

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Faithful God, 
out of war’s chaos, 
you bring the order of peace. 
Renew us in hope, 
that we may work toward 
Christ’s advent of peace 
among all nations. 
God of promise, God of hope, 
into our darkness come. Amen. 

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/worship/pdfs/lighting_the_advent_wreath.pdf

Week of Hope, Day 5

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Week of Hope, Day 4

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Below is a reflection of hope as described in Isaiah 11:1-2.

Isaiah 11:1-2 
A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout from his roots. The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of planning and strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Hope is resilient.

I came home from work one afternoon to find our white birch tree split in half and lying on our fence.  Sadly, it was time to say goodbye.  We hired someone to cut it down and haul it away.  In one afternoon, the tree that once stood tall and proud in our backyard was reduced to nothing more than a stump – a sad reminder of what once was.

But hope is resilient.

Isaiah writes the words of prophecy found in our text during a time when Israel had fallen from within and from without.  According to Isaiah, they had lost their direction and had been destroyed by their enemies.  What had once been seen standing tall and proud was reduced to nothing more than a stump – a sad reminder of what once was.

Into what seemed to be a dire and hopeless situation, Isaiah spoke these words, “A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout from his roots.” From the stump of the once majestic tree was to come a leader in the line of David who would return Israel to the way of the Lord. A leader characterized by wisdom and understanding; planning and strength; knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Yes. Hope is resilient.

Out of death, life. Out of darkness, light.  Out of despair, hope.

The message of Advent…

and together we wait.

*This reflection was written by the Rev. Brian Shivers. It was originally posted on http://advent2013communitydevotional.wordpress.com/

Week of Hope, Day 3

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Holy God, heaven and earth may pass away 
but your realm is eternal 
and your promise is sure. 
Leaven our hearts with hope 
as our redeemer draws near. 
Help us to heed the signs of the times, 
so that we may be ready to stand 
before Christ, our judge and savior; 
in whose powerful, glorious name we pray. Amen.  

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf  

Week of Hope, Day 2

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Holy One, though the earth trembles 
and the stars shake like leaves, 
your word will stand forever. 
Keep us watchful for the day 
when you will gather the faithful 
from all the ends of the earth, 
so that we may greet you in glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf

Week of Hope, Day 1

On Sunday we lit the first candle of the Advent Wreath. This candle represents hope.

We light this candle in hope.

Unslumbering God, 
at an unexpected hour 
you sent an unlikely liberator 
to an undeserving world. 
Keep us faithful in unguarded moments 
and alert in uncertain times, 
so that we may seek your unmeasured mercy, 
serve you with undivided hearts, 
live together in unbroken community, 
and greet you with unending praise; 
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our undying Life, 
in whom we know your unfailing justice, 
unfathomable grace, 
and unlimited love. Amen.


*This prayer comes from the PC(USA) website: http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_advent.pdf