2017 Advent Devotional

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Bertina West
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2017 Advent Devotional Church of the Resurrection RezArvada.com The Advent Season:* The Christian year does not begin on January 1, it begins with the season of Advent four Sundays before Christmas.

The giant cultural-machine of consumerism gone nuts treats this same period of time not as Advent but as the Christmas season. The shopping malls and radio stations shout Buy! Buy! Buy! and Go!

1 2017 Advent Devotional Church of the Resurrection RezArvada.com The Advent Season:* The Christian year does not begin on January 1, it begins with the season of Advent four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is a time of waiting, a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Jesus. The giant cultural-machine of consumerism gone nuts treats this same period of time not as Advent but as the Christmas season. The shopping malls and radio stations shout Buy! Buy! Buy! and Go! Go! Go! and Do! Do! Do! But the Church shouts Wait! Slow down! Listen! Remember! Prepare! The Jesse Tree: The Jesse Tree represents the family tree, or genealogy of Jesus Christ beginning with creation and continuing through the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The tree is named after Jesse, the father of King David. A drawing of a tree or a tabletop tree can be used for this activity. Each day throughout Advent, add a new ornament to the tree. The ornament represents a person or a religious symbol and is accompanied by a reading from scripture. Ideally, these ornaments are handmade from various materials: paper, felt, crafts sticks, etc. prior to Advent or can be purchased from multiple websites. Gather together each day to hang the new ornament, and reflect on the reading. Scripture Readings: During Advent our Scripture readings help us recall two simultaneous events. First, the preparation of Israel and the world for the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Bethlehem, and the preparation of the church and the world for his final second coming. Looking to the beginning of the great Story in light of its glorious end, we begin the year with our imagination stretched from the garden in Genesis to the city with a garden in Revelation. 1

2 Morning Prayer for Families or Individuals: Relax. Still yourself. Become aware that God is present and with you. Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Psalm 51:16 Psalm 51:11-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. A Reading from Holy Scripture The appointed Scriptures can be found in the tables below. A period of silence may follow the reading. Canticle The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayers Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others. The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Collect O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer Requests // Notes: 2 3

3 Evening Prayer for Families or Individuals: Relax. Still yourself. Become aware that God is present and with you. How priceless is your love, O God! Your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings. For with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7, 9 Phos Hilaron O Gracious Light O gracious light, pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed! Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing praises to God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds. A Reading from Holy Scripture The appointed Scriptures can be found in the tables below. A period of silence may follow the reading. Canticle Magnificat (The Song of Mary) My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. For he that is mighty has magnified me, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on those who fear him, throughout all generations. He has shown the strength of his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the humble and meek. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel, as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed forever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Prayers Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others. The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Collect Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. Prayer Requests // Notes: 4 5

4 Advent Scripture Readings Week of Advent 1 Sunday December 3 Day 1 AM Ps Isaiah 1:1-20 Matthew 24:1-28 PM Ps. 18 Isaiah 2:10-22 John 3:1-21 Monday December 4 Day 2 AM Ps Isaiah 3:1-15 Mark 1:1-20 PM Ps. 22, 23 Isaiah 4 Revelation 6 Tuesday December 5 Day 3 AM Ps Isaiah 6 Mark 1:21-45 PM Ps Isaiah 8:16-9:7 Revelation 7 Wednesday December 6 Day 4 AM Ps. 30, 31 Isaiah 9:8 10:4 Mark 2:1-22 PM Ps Isaiah 10:5-23 Revelation 8 Thursday December 7 Day 5 AM Ps. 35, 36 Isaiah 10:24 11:10 Mark 2:23-3:12 PM Ps. 37 Isaiah 13:1 14:2 Revelation 9 Friday December 8 Day 6 AM Ps Isaiah 14:3-27 Mark 3:13-35 PM Ps Isaiah 17 Revelation 10 Saturday December 9 Day 7 AM Ps Isaiah 18 Mark 4:1-20 PM Ps Isaiah 19:1-17 Revelation 11 Week of Advent 2 Sunday December 10 Day 8 AM Ps Isaiah 5:1-16 Matthew 24:29-51 PM Ps Isaiah 5:18-30 Luke 1:1-25 Monday December 11 Day 9 AM Ps Isaiah 19:18 20:6 Mark 4:21-41 PM Ps Isaiah 21:1-17 Revelation 12 Tuesday December 12 Day 10 AM Ps Isaiah 22:1-25 Mark 5:1-20 PM Ps Isaiah 24 Revelation 13 Wednesday December 13 Day 11 AM Ps. 68 Isaiah 28:1-8 Mark 5:21-43 PM Ps. 69, 70 Isaiah 29:1-14 Revelation 14 Thursday December 14 Day 12 AM Ps. 71, 72 Isaiah 29:15 30:18 Mark 6:1-13 PM Ps. 73, 74 Isaiah 32 Revelation 15 Friday December 15 Day 13 AM Ps Isaiah 34 Mark 6:14-29 PM Ps. 78 Isaiah 38 Revelation 16 Saturday December 16 Day 14 AM Ps Isaiah 40:12-31 Mark 6:30-56 PM Ps Isaiah 41 Revelation

5 Advent Scripture Readings Week of Advent 3 Sunday December 17 Day 15 AM Ps Isaiah 25:1-12 Matthew 25:1-30 PM Ps. 89 Isaiah 26 Matthew 3 Monday December 18 Day 16 AM Ps Isaiah 42:1-17 Mark 7:1-23 PM Ps. 93, 94 Isaiah 42:18 43:13 Revelation 18 Week of Advent 4 // Christmas Eve // Christmas Day Sunday December 24 Day 22 AM Ps Isaiah 35 Matthew 25:31-46 PM Ps. 119:1-32 Zechariah 2:10-13 Hebrews 2:10-18 Monday December 25 Day 23 AM Ps. 119:33-72 Isaiah 9:2-7 Matthew 1:1-25 PM Ps. 119: Isaiah 7: John 4:7-21 Tuesday December 19 Day 17 AM Ps Isaiah 43:14 44:5 Mark 7:24 8:10 PM Ps Isaiah 44:6-23 Revelation 19 Wednesday December 20 Day 18 AM Ps. 102, 103 Isaiah 44:24 45:13 Mark 8:11 9:1 PM Ps. 104 Isaiah 45:14-25 Revelation 20 Thursday December 21 Day 19 AM Ps. 105 Isaiah 46 Mark 9:2-32 PM Ps. 106 Isaiah 47 Revelation 21:1-14 Friday December 22 Day 20 AM Ps. 107 Isaiah 48 Mark 9:33-50 PM Ps. 108, 109 Isaiah 49:1-13 Revelation 21:15 22:5 Saturday December 23 Day 21 AM Ps Isaiah 49:14-26 Mark 10:1-31 PM Ps. 114, 115 Isaiah 50 Revelation 22:

6 Jesse Tree Readings and Ornament Crafts Date Scripture (Ornament) Date Scripture (Ornament) Dec. 3 1 Sam 16:1-13; Isa. 11:1-10 (Tree) Dec. 22 Malachi 4:1 6 (Sun) Dec. 4 Genesis 1-2:3 (Globe or Bird) Dec. 23 Luke 1:26 38 (Angel) Dec. 5 Genesis 2:4 3:24 (Fruit & Snake) Dec. 24 Luke 1:39 56 (Mary) Dec. 6 Genesis 6:11 22; 7:17 8:12,20 9:17 (Rainbow and Ark) Dec. 25 Matthew 2:1-12 (Candle) Dec. 7 Genesis 12:1 7; 15:1 6 (Stars) Dec. 8 Genesis 22:1 19 (Ram) Dec. 9 Genesis 28:10 22 (Ladder) Dec. 10 Genesis 37, 41 46:7 (Rainbow cloak) Dec. 11 Exodus 2:1 3:22 (Burning bush) Dec. 12 Exodus 12:1 36 (Lamb) Dec. 13 Exodus 19:16 20:20 (Stone tablets) Dec. 14 Joshua 1:1 11; 6:1 20 (Shofar) Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 17 Dec. 18 Dec. 19 Ruth 1:1-2:13;4 (Wheat) 1 Samuel 3:1 21; 8:10 22; 9:15 10:9 (Crown) 1 Samuel (Sling) Isaiah 6:1-13;9:1-7 (Tongs with coals) Jeremiah 8:22 9:11 (Tears) Church of the Resurrection mail: PO Box 1027, Arvada, CO worship: 5624 Yarrow, Arvada, CO Priest: Ron McGowin Deacon: Emily McGowin Phone: Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Micah 5:1 5 (Shepherd s crook) Habakkuk 1:1 2:1; 3:16 19 (Watch tower) * Introduction adapted from Church of the Incarnation, Harrisonburg, VA 10 11

The Sign of the Cross. Our Father. Our Father, Who art in heaven. In the name of the Father, Hallowed be Thy Name; And of the Son,

The Sign of the Cross. Our Father. Our Father, Who art in heaven. In the name of the Father, Hallowed be Thy Name; And of the Son, The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, And of the Son, And of the Holy Spirit, Amen Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth