Advent

[ZooMom]

​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."​

​

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size] ​

Lord our God,​

help us to prepare​

for the coming of Christ your Son.​

May he find us waiting,​

eager in joyful prayer.​

​

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, ​

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, ​

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]

​

[/font]​

Matthew 8:5-11​

​

When Jesus entered Capernaum,​

a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,​

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”​

He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” ​

The centurion said in reply,​

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;​

only say the word and my servant will be healed.​

For I too am a man subject to authority,​

with soldiers subject to me.​

And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;​

and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes;​

and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”​

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,​

“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. ​

I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,​

and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob​

at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.”​

​

[size=+2][/size]​

[size=+2][/size]​

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size] ​

​

That He may instruct us in His ways.​

Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!​

​

​

We want to begin this journey by rallying ourselves ​

to turn to the Lord with great hope.​

In the midst of many discouraging challenges in our lives​

and the violence in the world around us,​

we desire to spend this day in anticipation of the graces​

our God desires to give us.​

​

​

[size=-1][/size]​

[size=-1]They shall beat their swords into plowshares[/size] ​

[size=-1]and their spears into pruning hooks;[/size]​

[size=-1]One nation shall not raise the sword against another,[/size]​

[size=-1]nor shall they train for war again. [/size]​

[size=-1][/size]​

[size=-1]Is. 2[/size]​

​

​

[size=-1]Lord, I am not worthy to receive you;[/size] ​

[size=-1]but say only the word and my soul will be healed.[/size]​

​

​

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[size=+2][/size]​

[size=+2]Intercessions:[/size][size=+2]​

​

[/size]​

​

Christ the Lord, Son of the living God, light from light, ​

leads us into the light and reveals his holiness. ​

With confidence, let us make our prayer:​

​

Come, Lord Jesus!​

​

​

Light that never fades, dispel the mists about us,​

- awaken our faith from sleep.​

Guard us from all harm today,​

- may your glory fill us with joy.​

Give us unfailing gentleness at all times,​

- toward everyone we meet.​

Come to create a new earth for us,​

- where there will be justice and peace.​

​

​

​

​

[size=+2][/size]​

[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]​

​

Loving God,​

I sense that all is your creation​

and everything, and all of us,​

are being drawn back toward your loving heart.​

​

​

Help me to be a person of peace, ​

To speak about it in an uneasy world,​

And to live it among the people​

you have put into my life every day.​

​

​

Light in me a desire to prepare for your coming ​

to stand in the darkness, waiting, eager and filled with joy.​

​

​

​

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

 

[ZooMom]

Aw. It's not letting me get the spacing exactly right, but you guys get the idea. I had a really hard time finding a site with good meditations and prayers. I really liked this one. If anyone would like to use another, please let me know. And feel free to post your own meditations and thoughts at any time!

Waiting in joyful Hope!

Sandy

 

[QuantaCura]

Thanks for all the posts ZooMom. At my parish they passed out copies of "The Little Blue Book" for Advent. It's similar to what you are posting but it's strictly the Gospel of Luke from the beginning through a little after the Nativity along with meditations. It also has info for the specific feast days or some sort of factoid about Christmas traditions.

 

[ZooMom]

Cool! You could post those if you want! I haven't got my blue book this year, yet, but I do have my wreath and table prayer card set up. I couldn't remember what site I got the original posts in this thread from...it *was* four years ago. So I had to hunt around.

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]

​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
​

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]
God of mercy and consolation,
help us in our weakness and free us from sin.
Hear our prayers
that we may rejoice at the coming of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
A shoot shall sprout from the stump.
Our God can transform our weakness, our sin, all conflict and all division.
From every life-less stump - where any future hope has been cut off
- a shoot of new life can sprout.
[size=-1]He shall judge the poor with justice,[/size]
[size=-1] and decide aright for the land's afflicted.[/size]

We need to really hear this "good news" so that our hearts can begin to be softened
to hear how profoundly our God desires to help us
and to make things right with all of creation.
Throughout the day today, we can lighten our spirits
as we turn to God and pray:
Let me rejoice at the coming of your Son, for me!

[size=-1]Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever. Ps. 72[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]

[size=+2]Intercessions:[/size][size=+2]
[/size]To the eternal Word who became man
to reveal to us the new and living way.
Let us make our humble prayer:
Come, Lord, and save us!

God in whom we live and move and have our being,
- come teach us that you ahve made us your own.

You are not far from each of us,
- show yourself to all who search for you.

Father of the poor and consoler of the afflicted,
- set captives free, give joy to those who mourn.

You hate death and love life,
- free all mankind from eternal death.

[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
God of forgiveness,
I turn to you in my great weakness
and beg for your help.
Let me feel the joy growing in my heart
as I anticipate your coming.

I hear the message of the prophets of old
and know that the Messiah will bring
new life and new ways of living.

From the humbleness of my life,
help me to grow and bloom
and hear the words
that will change the world.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.


​

 

[ZooMom]

I'm so sorry!! I forgot all about this yesterday! :o Forgive me!

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."


[size=+2]The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle[/size]

​

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]
God of mercy and consolation,
help us in our weakness and free us from sin.
Hear our prayers
that we may rejoice at the coming of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

[size=+2]Alternative Opening Prayer:[/size]
Lord,
in your kindness, hear our petitions.
You called Andrew the Apostle
to preach the gospel and guide your Church in faith.
May he always be our friend in your presence
to help us with his prayers.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son.

[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]​

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:
[/size]We pause, in the beginning of our Advent journey,
to remember one of the first of our Lord's apostles.
Watching the brother of Peter leave his fishing nets and follow Jesus
can help us on our journey to ask for the grace to be free
to respond to whatever the Lord is offering us in these precious days
of preparation and anticipation.

When my Lord comes to me, let me be ready and free to follow!

[size=-1]If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. Romans 10[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]


[size=+2]Intercessions:
[/size]Beloved friends, we have inherited heaven along with the
apostles. Let us voice our thanks to the Father for all his
gifts:
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you, Lord, for the banquet of Christ's body
and blood given us through the apostles,
- which refreshes us and gives life.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you , Lord, for the feast of your word prepared
for us by the apostles,
- giving us light and joy.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.


Praise be to you, Lord, for your holy Church, founded on
the apostles,
- where we are gathered together into your community.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.


Praise be you, Lord, for the cleansing power of baptism
and penance that you have entrusted to your apostles,
- throught which we are cleansed of our sins.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

[size=+2]
Closing Prayer:[/size]
Lord of all,
you seek me out and ask me to go with you.
As I begin these early days of Advent
help me to listen for your call in my life.
Give me the courage to listen to your voice
and the freedom
to leave my fishing boats and my nets
and follow you.

I want to draw strength from your friend,Andrew,
and from your presence in my life,
always befriending me and offering me your love.



May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.



​

 

[ZooMom]

I'm having a great deal of trouble remembering to do this here. Please forgive me.

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]
​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
​

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=+2]

Opening Prayer:​

[/size]

Father,
we need your help.
Free us from sin and bring us to life.
Support us by your power.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
​

[/font]

[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
On that day ...

The reading from Isaiah is another promise of a day of victory,
when the tables will be turned on injustice.
Today, let's turn to our God, with all our needs.

Part of our Advent journey is about learning to hope
- learning to imagine what we can't see.
Let's go through our day today, desiring freedom with a growing confidence
in our God who promises to save us.

[size=-1]Come and set us free, Lord, God of power and might.[/size]
[size=-1]Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]

[size=+2]Intercessions:
[/size]Christ is the wisdom and power of God, and his delight is to
be with the children of men. With confidence, let us pray:
Draw near us, Lord.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have called us to your glorious kingdom,
- make us walk worthily, pleasing God in all we do.

You who stand unknown among us,
- reveal yourself to men and women.

You are nearer to us than we to ourselves,
- strengthen our faith and our hope of salvation.

You are the source of holiness,
- keep us holy and without sin now and until the day
of your coming.


[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
God of strength and protection,
I turn to you because I need help.
I long to be free enough
to trust that I can lean on you.

But I become afraid.
Help me to trust in you, Lord.
Your strength and power
are a gentle place of protection.

Be a safe refuge when I am being trampled.
I long for your help, your protecting care.
Help to deliver me from the cold
loneliness of these dark nights.
​

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

​

 

[ZooMom]

​

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."


[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]
Jesus our Lord,
save us from our sins.
Come, protect us from all dangers
and lead us to salvation,
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
[size=-1]The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord,[/size]
[size=-1]and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.[/size]

In the busiest of times, it is often difficult to realize
that our worst enemy is our own sinfulness.
When we do realize that, however, we can really beg God to save us.
Today, let's say the prayer Jesus gave us,
devoutly, and as a real Advent prayer.

​

[size=-1]Our Father, in heaven,[/size]

[size=-1]may your name be holy;[/size]
[size=-1]may your kingdom come;[/size]
[size=-1]may your will be done,[/size]
[size=-1]on earth, as it is in heaven.[/size]
[size=-1]Give us today, your faithful bread for the journey.[/size]
[size=-1]Forgive us our sins,[/size]
[size=-1]the way we forgive the sins of others.[/size]
[size=-1]Don't let us be overcome by temptation,[/size]
[size=-1]but deliver us from all evil.[/size]


​

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]


[size=+2]
Intercessions[/size]:
Through his Son, God the Father revealed his glory to
men and women. Therefore, let our joyful cry resound:
Lord, may your name be glorified.

Teach us, Lord, to love each other,
- as Christ loved us for God's glory.

Fill us with all joy and peace in faith,
- that we may walk in the hope and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Help all mankind, Lord, in your loving mercy,
- be near to those who seek you without knowing it.

You call and sanctify the elect,
- though we are sinners, crown us with eternal happiness.

​

[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
Jesus, protector,
I long for your coming.
The promise of new light is there
if only I can believe.

Protect me from dangers ​

and lead me through the gloom and darkness
to the joy I so long to find in you.

Lift me from my lowly sins
and give me the promise of salvation
with no more shame,
only the light and saving grace of your love.

Let the ancient dream be fulfilled in you
and peace come to this life and world.


​

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

​

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]
​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]
God our Father,
you loved the world so much
you gave your only Son to free us
from the ancient power of sin and death.
Help us who wait for his coming,
and lead us to true liberty.
[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
No more will you weep.

The prophetic promise is so great.
What our God has done is so complete a victory over sin and death.
In the midst of my day today, can I let myself imagining that salvation
touching and transforming me?
And can I patiently wait for God's work to take effect in me
- letting him open my heart, day by day?
Imagining "true liberty" today, let us walk in his ways.

[size=-1]No longer will your Teacher hide himself,[/size]
[size=-1] but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,[/size]
[size=-1] While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears:[/size]
[size=-1] "This is the way; walk in it,"[/size]
[size=-1] when you would turn to the right or to the left. Is. 30[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]

[size=+2]
Intercessions:
[/size]Let us pray to God our Father, who from of old has called
his people to salvation:
Lord, protect your people.

You promised to plant the seed of justice among your people,
- protect the holiness of your Church.

Lord, teach all men and women to listen to your word,
- and help believers to perserve in holiness.

Keep us in the love of your Spirit,
- that we may receive the mercy of your Son who is to come.

Father most merciful, strengthen us to the last,
- until the day of the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord.


[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
Lord of Hope,
Dare I? Can I really hope?
From out of the darkness
I sense a dim light ahead,
the light of your coming into the world.

I so long for the time
when you are no longer hidden from me
and my deepest desire is
to trust in your warm voice I hear behind me,
guiding me along a hidden path I do not know.

Dry my tears,
heal my wounds
and help me
to wait for the dawning of the dim light ahead,
with a brighter vision
of healing and freedom.
​

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

 

[ZooMom]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]

[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=+3][size=+2]Second Sunday of Advent[/size][/size][/font]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]
​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."


[size=+2]Entrance Antiphon:[/size]
People of Zion, the Lord will come
to save all nations,
and your hearts will exult
to hear his majestic voice.

​

​

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]

Let us pray
that nothing may hinder us from receiving Christ with joy. [font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us from receiving
Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

[/font]

[size=+2]Alternative Opening Prayer:[/size]
Let us pray,
in Advent time
for the coming Savior to teach us wisdom [font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Father in heaven,
the day draws near when the glory of your Son
will make radiant the night of the waiting world.

May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy
which moves the hearts of those who seek him.
May the darkness not blind us
to the vision of wisdom
which fills the minds of those who find him.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.



[/font]

[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size] [size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!

We begin this second week of our Advent journey
with this wonderful proclamation of the end of our exile.
Even in the wasteland of our lives,
there will be a smooth highway for our God.

Let us experience today what it will be like to be ​

freed from the power of our sins to hold us captive.
Our longing, our desire:
that we might be set free.

[size=-1]"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]


​

[size=+2]Intercessions:

[/size]To the Lord Jesus Christ, judge of the living dead,
let us pray:
Come, Lord Jesus!

Lord Jesus, you came to save sinners,
- protect us in times of temptation.

You will come in glory to be our judge,
- show in us your power to save.

Help us to keep the precepts of your law with the strength
of the Spirit,
- and to look forward in love to your coming.

You are praised throughout the ages; in your mercy help
us to live devoutly and temperately in this life,
- as we wait in joyful hope for the revelation of your
glory.


[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
Comforting God,
You have touched my heart
and told me not to fear.

Thank you for offering me your gentle love. ​

You speak tender words
to the darkness in my heart
and offer gentle care in warm arms
outstretched to welcome me home.

You know me so well,
and I feel my heart rise
in your familiar presence.
There is a flicker of hope.
Finally I will let my life be touched
by the strength of your courage
and I will rejoice in the news
that my savior is near.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.



​

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]
​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

[size=+2]Opening Prayer:[/size]
Lord,
free us from our sins and make us whole.
Hear our prayer,
and prepare us to celebrate the incarnation of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God forever and ever.

​

[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
Our God will come to save us!
What an incredible promise!
Each of these days uses images to help us
to imagine and become excited about the ways
our God has tried to prepare us, through the prophets
to be ready for the healing and restoration and love
that is offered us in Jesus.
For all in me that is feeble or weak or frightened
I can simply listen to these words:

[size=-1]Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you. [/size][size=-1]Isaiah 35[/size]

​

[size=-1]Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, ‘Rise and walk'? Luke 5[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size] [size=+2]Intercessions:[/size]
To Christ our Redeemer, who will come again to free from
the power of death all those who return to him, let
us humbly pray:
Come, Lord Jesus!

As we proclaim your coming, Lord,
- cleanse our hearts of every vain desire.

Lord, may the Church which you founded,
- proclaim your greatness to all peoples.

Your law is a light to our eyes,
- let it protect those who trust in you.

You allow the joys of your coming to be foretold to us by
your Church,
- may we receive you with eager devotion.


[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
God of Strength,
I need your courage.
You offer to make firm the knees that are weak.
Only you know how frightened I so often am.

And you do offer me strength.
There is the promise of your Son's coming
and knowing that you will save me.
I can't do this on my own
no matter how often I think I can.

Give me the humility to ask for your help
and open heart to accept
your healing and love in my life.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

​

 

[ZooMom]

[size=+2]Daily Advent Prayer[/size]
​

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=+2]

Opening Prayer:​

[/size]

Almighty God,
help us to look forward
to the glory of the birth of Christ our Savior:
his coming is proclaimed joyfully
to the ends of the earth,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. ​

[/font]
[size=+2]Today's Readings[/size]

[size=+2]Daily Meditation:[/size]
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever

Our God comes with power to save us.
Each of us can name what it is we long to be saved from.
Today, let's imagine ourselves freer.
Throughout the day, let's picture new ways of responding
to challenging relationships, habitual sins,
and other ruts we are in.
As we envision our freedom we experience
how much our God desires to save us.

[size=-1]It is not the will of your heavenly Father[/size]
[size=-1] that one of these little ones be lost.[/size]

[size=+2]Today's Daily Reflection[/size]

[size=+2]Intercessions:
[/size]To Jesus Christ our Lord, the light of the world,
let us cry out with joy:
Come Lord Jesus!

Dispel our darkness with the light of your presence,
- and make us worthy of your gifts.

Save us, Lord our God,
- that we may praise your holy name this day.

Enkindle in our hearts the flame of your love,
- and make us long to be united with you.

You bore our infirmity,
-aid the sick and those who are to die this day.


[size=+2]Closing Prayer:[/size]
Almighty God,
I hear it over and over: you are coming to me.

I feel my heart stir in anticipation,
and I sense that you are inviting me
to enter more deeply
into the mystery of your birth.

Help me to feel renewed patience settle in my heart,
and to lift my face in joy.

I have been like a lost lamb,
but I hear your voice calling me
and I feel how deeply you want me to return.
Somehow I know that you rejoice in my desire to find you.

Help me not to be afraid to say out loud, to believe:
Here is God, coming into my life.
​

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

​

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

classic bump

 

[colleen]

bump

 

[Lynn]

Does anyone know how Sandy's doing? I emailed her but didn't receive any response. I know she had surgery last month. Anyone?

 

[WarriorAngel]

I dont know where she has been.

Good references.