This Sunday marks the first in the season of Advent, and we find ourselves waiting, longing, and hoping for the Christ Child. In past years, we have published our own devotional guide, but this year we are all gathered around Bread for the Day, a devotional book we've been using all year.
If you have fallen away from a daily practice of reading Bread for the Day, I encourage you to start this new season afresh. The readings and prayers for the Advent and Christmas season help me to remember that while I am busy with shopping and baking and decorating and going to parties, I also need to take time to bring my heart closer to the manger -- that sweet place where the Christ Child will lay on Christmas morning.
Not only does Bread for the Day have daily readings and prayers, it also has some wonderful blessings for you to use in your household including:
a table prayer for Advent
weekly blessings for your home Advent Wreath
a blessing for your Christmas Tree
a blessing for your Nativity Scene
hymns and carols for each day
If you don't have a copy of Bread for the Day, stop by the church office.
The Advent Wreath traditionally marks the passage of weeks
during the Advent season. Your family may have an Advent
wreath at home or may make one at the Advent Festival
(December 2 at 10:15 am). You can also make one from things
around the house: 5 candles and seasonal greens or
decorations.
Place the candles in a circle with one in the center.
This is the candle you’ll light on Christmas Eve.
Decorate with greenery, ornaments, or any other seasonal
items you enjoy. Traditionally the wreath was embellished
with greens and flowers or fruit — signs of the season and
of Christ’s evergreen love.
Starting on the first Sunday of Advent — which is Sunday,
December 2 this year – light one candle each week. You can
make this part of your morning ritual – a quiet time at
breakfast — or part of your pre-dinner prayers. Perhaps it is
a meditative activity before the household goes to sleep.
As you gather around the Advent Wreath each day, take time to
give thanks
for the blessings you’ve been given and to offer up to God any
hurts, worries, or concerns you are carrying. If you do this
as a family, this is a great time to pray together. You
might want to read the scripture lesson for the day from Bread
for the Day.
Conclude your time of prayer and reflection with the blessing of
the week and sing together “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” or another
Advent hymn.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
the one who is, who was, and who is to come.
At this table you fill us with good things.
May these gifts strengthen us
to share with the hungry and all those in need,
as we wait and watch for your coming among us
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Posted by permission of Augsburg Fortress for local use only. No
further reproduction allowed without the written permission of
the publisher.
