Advent Art Prayer 1 3
God of Rest,
As we await your coming, we look to the sky for hope.
We look to find you in our lives.
Inside the weight of the world, we get lost.
Inside the weight of the world, we forget whose we are.
We say that we wait for your coming, but Lord, you are already here.
We live in that tension between being fully loved and claimed and being lost in the noise.
Slow our hearts.
Slow our minds.
Slow our bodies.
Help us seek rest before we think we need it.
Help us see rest as a holy gift from you - good in all ways.
Help us embrace the quiet spaces where we can more fully hear your messages of love.
May we soak them in.
May they feed our hope.
Help us know we are beloved.
Amen
O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle, we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
Practice Deeper Listening
Inhale:
Slow my heart
Exhale:
Slow my mind
Inhale:
Slow my body
Exhale:
Give me Holy Rest
For Deeper Listening
Think about two times this week when you can step away from the hustle and bustle of life and give your body, mind, and heart holy rest. Put them on your calendar in ink.
Establish your Advent Practice.
Step 1: Set up a space in your home for your Advent readings. Make it comfortable. Add a candle. Perhaps next to your tree or at a table with a little festive placemat.
Step 2: Determine two times of the day when you might practice them so that if you miss the first one, you can lean into the second and not feel guilty.
Step 3: Each time you sit down to practice your Advent devotion, make a warm cup of something and begin with a couple of moments of silence and deep breathing. Close your eyes and breath in deeply the love of God for you. Ask the Spirit to join you. Then begin your readings.
Step 4: Have a little prayer journal nearby where you can list the things that stick with you or stand out to you during your devotion.
Step 5: Close your time with a couple of moments of silent deep breathing, thanking God for the love and grace that are freely given to you that claims you as God’s own.