Devotional for the First Sunday of Advent

 

“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make a straight road for Him!”  - Matthew 3:3

 

Holy and loving God,

we have dwelt in darkness

and preferred it to the light;

we have been proud of our accomplishments

and despaired over our shortcomings.

Smooth down the mountains of our pride,

and lift up the valleys of our doubts.

Open a path in the wilderness of our lives

that we might find our way to you again.

Refine us and prepare us once again

for life in your kingdom.

Hear our prayer, O Lord. Amen.

 — from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on www.ministrymatters.com

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 “May we not 'spend' Christmas or 'observe' Christmas, but rather 'keep' it.” 

— Rev. Peter Marshall (1902-1949)