O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Family Advent Prayers: Full text below.

The weeks before Christmas hold days of anticipation for many of us. Children especially seem to light up as Christmas draws near. Over the last 16 years or so, I have grown in my love for the season of Advent. I can remember getting an Advent wreath when I was a young single gal. I would sit at my dining room table to pray the prayers of expectation by candlelight. I felt it was important to engage in seasonal forms of worship even though I was single. I would open my hands and feel the emptiness. I would open my hands and ask for my hands to be filled with a family.

My Advent prayers are similarly bittersweet this year. There are two little hands in mine. There are radiant faces in candlelight. There is an empty place at out table and a crying in our hearts.

Advent is a journey of opening our hearts to what is yet to come, but has not yet arrived. This year, more than ever, I am looking forward to the life to come. .... no more dyin' there....

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in is glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead,we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

BOCP Collect Advent One

My Advent discipline this year has two parts. The first part was to complete my Christmas shopping before Advent began. I did that, but it was a bit stressful. This leads to the second part of my Advent discipline. I was advised by a friend a few months ago to put earplugs in to realize how loud my internal process is. I thought this was brilliant and tried it. I cannot blame all of my stress on outside factors. However, I decided to put in technological earplugs. The dash to complete Christmas preparations before Advent accentuated the distance between chaotic preparations and peaceful ones. In an effort to become more quiet in this season I have turned off my phone and computer.

Yes, I am sitting here writing on the computer, but this will be it. That's why I am writing this post. There are a few things I need to communicate. I had said a while back that I would write about the last week of John's life by the end of the year. That is not going to happen as I will not be using the computer. I will look to do that writing as a Lenten discipline. Second, I wanted you to know that my neighbor Mary died. I wrote at length about our love for her here. http://margiefawcett.blogspot.com/search?q=I+live+next+door

Charlotte used to say to Mary, "The moment I was born you took my hand I knew we would be best friends forever." Mary was a big part of our lives and provided love and support almost every day. I had the great blessing of being there when she died. May she be gathered into the arms of Christ where every remaining tear in her heart can be washed away.

The photos at the top of this post are from our Family Advent Worship last night. I compiled this simple form of prayer for use at all-church Advent dinners 8 or 9 years ago. Children of all ages enjoy being part of this family prayer. Many blessings as you await The Light of the World this Advent.

Family Advent Worship

Materials Needed:
One large bowl full of beans (or rice, coffee, salt, or sand) one large candle, one small cup per person and one small candle per person (birthday candles are good, but you go through several during Advent).

Leader: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. (Isaiah 40:5) Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, Amen.

Leader: While lighting the family candle,
When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8: 11-13) Jesus the Light of the world.
People: Jesus the Light of the world

Leader: (Help children memorize this verse and say it with you.)
All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way. Isaiah 53: 5

Leader: We all have sinned.
People: We all have sinned.
Leader: While scooping beans into your cup, I have sinned.
Each person: Go around the circle and scoop up some beans saying,
“I have sinned.”

When each person has a cup of beans, say:

Leader: Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12: 45-47
Jesus the Light of the world comes to me.

Each person: Go around the circle and light each candle saying,
Jesus the Light of the world comes to me.

Jesus, Name Above All Names
Jesus name above all names
Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us,
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word.

Leader: Our King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * (kneel on the ground)
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken (put your hand around your ear and stand up) to his voice!

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord
People: Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks be to God. (Shorten or change this reading as needed)

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9: 2-7, selected (Other readings may be substituted like: Isaiah 40: 3-8, Isaiah 53: 4-7, Isaiah 11: 1-9, Luke 1: 68‑79)

Leader: Thanks be to God for the reading of his Word.
People: Thank you God. Thank you God.

Leader: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
(Sing the following song about Light or any other your family knows, like This Little Light of Mine)

We See the Light of Christ
We see the Light of Christ
Our eyes look up to Him
He is always with us.

Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Let us pray. (You may hold hands during the Our Father)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Leader: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

The Twelve Days of Quilts, Day 4

We are blessed to have a wonderful neighbor named Mary. She is Charlotte's best friend. Charlotte says that from the first time she met Mary, she knew they would be best friends. Charlotte runs over to Mary's house almost every day. Sometimes when Mary answers the door, she teases Charlotte saying, "Do I know you?" Charlotte responds, "Yes Mary, I live next door." This little game goes on until Charlotte says, "Just open the door Mary, you know I'm the Precious in this family."

And Mary welcomes Charlotte with love and joy. Mary has taught Charlotte how to roll and make tortillas. She has taught her about sewing and helped Charlotte sew a pillowcase for John as a Christmas gift. Mary is 82 years old. She let me help her make tamales for Christmas Eve. I got to spread the masa on the corn husks and sit back and watch Mary in action.

Charlotte and Josiah at the apple orchard with our neighbor Mary.

When Josiah goes down for a nap, if I am exhausted, I send Charlotte over to Mary's for an afternoon visit. Mary has been a tremendous blessing to us during this stressful season.

Because today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, I thought I would share two of the quilts Mary has made for our little ones. She quilted each of them by hand over many hours. Our children are wrapped in love by their dear friend Mary.