Tuesday, December 25 

Antiphon

         O Blessed Hope, Come

Scripture

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all, . . . awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, . . .

 Prayerful Reflection

O Blessed Hope, come~
We began this Advent journey in hope,
which has now been fulfilled by your coming.
Blessed be your name, Holy One.
You have released us
from the bondage of sin,
redeemed us from the depths of despair,
rescued us from the darkness of death.
On this day we celebrate the unending gifts
of hope, peace, joy and love
you have so generously given.
Send us forth in grateful response
to offer these gifts to the world.
Amen.

Monday, December 24 

Antiphon

O God of Many Names, Come

 Scripture

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born . . . One whose name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Mother, Prince of Peace.”

 Prayerful Reflection

O God of Many Names, Come~
As you came to make yourself known to us in Jesus so long ago,
make yourself known to us again today.
In your myriad manifestations,
reveal to us your countless attributes.
Guide us with your wisdom,
O Wonderful Counselor.
Strengthen us with your power, O Mighty God.
Ground us in your eternal care,
O Everlasting Father and Mother.
Calm our anxious spirits, O Prince of Peace.
Open our hearts and minds to recognize you
in the endless ways you reveal yourself
in our lives and in our world.
Amen.

Sunday, December 23

 Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

O Come, God of Love,
O Emmanuel, Come~
Unlock in us
a powerful potential for peace,
a great capacity for love,
a deep awareness of unexpected grace.
Widen the confines of our minds
and the doors of our hearts
that we might receive your wisdom,
light and love
from unexpected people and places.
O come, O Come Emmanuel,
God with us.
Fill us with your light that
we may shine your love in this world.
We ask this through Christ,our Savior and our Love.
Amen.

Saturday, December 22

 Antiphon

O King of All Nations, Come

 Scripture

Micah 5:4b-5  And they shall dwell secure, for now the ruler shall be great to the ends of the earth, and shall be the one of peace.

 Prayerful Reflection
O King of All Nations, Come~
into the warring madness of countries,
into the combative rage of disagreements,
into the hurtful conflicts of relationships,
into the anxious worries of our hearts,
and make your presence known.
Open our eyes to other points of view,
our hearts to deeper understanding,
our ears to compassionate listening,
and our mouths to respectful dialogue.
May your love for the world flow through us
as we long for your rule
to be great to the ends of the earth.
Make us ones of peace in this world.
Amen.

Friday, December 21

Antiphon

         O Radiant Dawn, Come

 Scripture

Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

 Prayerful Reflection

O Radiant Dawn, Come~
All around us shines
the brightness of the season:
blinking lamps, glowing decorations,
sparkling gifts, glittering displays.
For those with sorrowful souls
and hurting hearts,
the glare can be blinding.
Restore in this world
a glimpse of your shining face,
made visible through
a glimmer of hope, a spark of peace,
a twinkle of joy
that comes from compassion and care.|
May we bring the soft glow
of your tender love
into the oft-blinding glare of this world.
Amen.

Thursday, December 20

Antiphon

          O Key of David, Come

 Scripture

Hebrews 10:9  . . . then Christ added, “See, I have come to do your will.” Christ abolishes the first in order to establish the second.

Prayerful Reflection
O Key of David, come~
Unlock the gates of heaven,
through your saving power.
Untie the bonds of sin
which hold us back
from accepting the love and mercy
you offer.
Abolish the past that binds us
and root us firmly in your new order,
established in your saving love.
Free us to receive and accept
the boundless mercy you offer,
not through our own sacrifices,
but through your grace alone.
Amen.

Wednesday, December 19 

Antiphon

O Flower of Jesse’s Stem Come

Scripture

Luke1:52  God has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree . . .

 Prayerful Reflection
O Flower of Jesse’s Stem, Come~
Plant your seed of encouragement
in our hearts.
Show us again
how you turn the world upside down.
Remind us that you chose your greatest king
from all of Jesse’s children,
anointing the smallest, the lowliest,
the least likely: David.
And then, as another King anointed,
you came as a lowly child,
born of a peasant woman, born in a stable,
to save us and to show us love.
Teach us to know the worth of the lowly,
to see powerful potential
in all circumstances and all people.
Amen.

Tuesday, December 18

 Antiphon

O Lord of Ancient Israel, Come

 Scripture

Micah 5:2  But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, . . . from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

 Prayerful Reflection

O Lord of Ancient Israel, Come~
Your origin is from ancient days,
yet you continue to be present in our lives.
Remind us that you still move
in our world, in our time,
as you have throughout our sacred history.
Grant us courage and hope
as we journey forward,
to trust and remember that
your steadfast love and mercy
have always been,
are now,
and shall be with us
forever more.
Amen.

Monday, December 17 

Antiphon

O Wisdom of God, Come

Scripture

Luke 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken
to her from God.

Prayerful Reflection
O Wisdom of God, Come~
Open our ears to hear your voice
which speaks your wisdom,
and our minds to believe your incredible promises.
May we live in the foolish conviction of your word:
that the power of love
will defeat hatred,
that the grace of kindness
will conquer despair,
that the glimmer of light
will overcome darkness,
and that your promise of eternal life
will defeat even death.
Grant us the wisdom to believe
that what you have spoken will be fulfilled.
Amen.

Sunday, December 16

 Prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent

O Come, God of our Joy ~
Summon us to attend to your voice,
open us to receive your grace,
remind us to embrace
your abiding presence
each and every moment of our lives.
Expand and grow our understanding
of others’ differences,
our compassion for the poor,
our gratitude for all your blessings.
Cleanse us with your grace,
and shower us with your love,
that our joy may be full,
and that our lives would flow
with healing and light for all your children.
We ask this through Christ
our Savior and our Joy.
Amen.