December 5 (Second in Advent) - Psalm 72:1-7, 18,19
Thank you, O God, that you are a superintending God--caring for your creation and all that seek in your name to sustain and prosper it. This prayer, attributed to King Solomon, might well be our prayer as well--seeking your perpetual blessing in our own lives, and your watchcare over all within our charge.
That we can make all our wants and wishes known to you and do so at your invitation is a wonderful blessing. Help us only to remember, as vss 17 and 18 remind us, that in doing so we need ever to recognize you as the only one who in your sovereign power can answer them.
Only your name endures forever, and only your fame as long as the sun. You alone do wondrous things. Bless your glorious name forever. And may your glory fill the whole earth. Amen.
December 12 (Third in Advent) - Psalm 146:5-10
How wonderful to be caught up in all the ages of history, O Lord, as we await again the coming of your Son! You are truly the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Our God today, you were also the God of Jacob and all before him whose hope was in you.
As we ponder our good fortune, stab us awake to the concerns you have always expressed for the hungry, the prisoners, the blind, the bowed down with care, as well as strangers, orphans, and widows all around us. Ignite within us your passion to serve and deliver them both physically and spiritually.
Only you will reign forever. Our lives are temporary. You, God, the God of Zion, transcends all generations. We praise you and bless your holy name! Amen.
December 19 (Fourth in Advent) - Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
How often in surrounding darkness we cry out with the psalmist, O God, to "let your face shine." It does not matter that we know well our own part in creating that darkness, being unfaithful to you, disobedient children.
Perhaps, like the psalmist, we cry out even more then. "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.... Stir up your might, and come and save us."
Reminders of all you have done in times past fuel our pleas to do deliver us again. How grateful we can be that you never despise such pleas, even if deliverance comes only in your good time and way.
And so we plead again: "Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." Amen.
December 26 (First after Christmas) - Psalm 148
Why is our praise of you so faint, Lord God? Why is our memory of who you are and all you have done--not only throughout history but in our own lives as well--so short? Have mercy upon us and help us in light of all we have heard and seen through Advent and Christmas itself to return to our daily round, as the shepherds once did, "praising the Lord for all they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
You have create us. You have fixed our bounds, and those of all nature. And you call us once again--"Kings of the earth and all peoples. princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!"--to praise your name.
Let that begin with me, dear God. Cascade praises for you from deep within my body and soul. Let them multiply in the praising until others will take note and enter in themselves. You have raised up a horn for all your people, praise fort all your faithful. We take it now in hand and with boldness declare once again your praise! Amen.
