Advent reflection day 11

Opening Prayer

Lord of light and the darkness,
May your Spirit guide our preparations for Christmas.
Help us to seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
In our anxiety may we look forward to your coming among us and be blessed by the joy of your presence.
When we feel as if we are walking in darkness may we see your light as we say,
“Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.

Friday December 11 Psalm 1

Refrain: The Lord knows the way of the righteous.

Blessed are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the assembly of the scornful.
Their delight is in the law of the Lord and they meditate on his law day and night.
Like a tree planted by streams of water bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither, whatever they do, it shall prosper.

There are few things more evocative than the combination of a stream meandering through the countryside with trees growing along its banks. But behind these words of the Psalmist is a call for us to be like these trees, to have deep roots saturated by the law of the Lord, the love of the Lord.

Christ our wisdom,
give us delight in your law,
that we may bear fruits of patience and peace
in the kingdom of the righteous;
for your mercy’s sake.
(Prayer Shared from ‘Reflection on the Psalms’ app. Material subject to copyright)

May God the Son, who comes to us as redeemer and judge,
reveal to you the path from darkness to light.

Rev Derek Akker