Third Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Jesus,

YOU come to bring good tidings to all

…so the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

…so those who are hurting can be healed.

…so those in the wilderness hear the message.

…so sinners can know forgiveness.

…so the brokenhearted can become whole.

May we see YOU in the light and in the darkness

May we feel YOUR embrace when we are troubled

And also when we are filled with joy!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

• As an anointed child of God, how do you live out bringing good tidings to others or setting captives free?
• Imagine and describe what it feels like to be clothed in salvation and robed in justice.

1Thessalonians 5:16-24

• Is it possible “pray without ceasing”? What does that look like?
• How can your body, soul and spirit work together? Share an example a time when this happened or an example of how it would look.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

• You are called to testify to the light. How do you do this?  How often?  Where?
• John says, “there is one among you whom you do not recognize”; reflect on a time when you didn’t recognize someone you know. Make a list of things which would make someone “unrecognizable” (focus on the non-physical traits).

General Questions for Journaling

• How are you bearing witness to Christ this Advent season?
• How have you grown in faith over the past year? Reflect on the past year, how has God been working?
• Reflect on the things which “break your heart”. Is there something you can do to help heal that hurt?
• What “good tidings” did you hear in the past week, month or year? Why is it “good”?
• Describe how someone can find joy in suffering.
• Are you open to allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you? How do you know?
• How do you acknowledge God in your life? Do you allow God to make decisions for you or do you leave God out of the decision making process?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  When we encounter the lost and forgotten;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR love!

Leader:  When we see the hurting and oppressed;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR mercy!

Leader:  When we act out against injustice;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR forgiveness!

Leader:  When we let your light shine through;

ALL:  Make us a witness of YOUR presence!

Challenge for the Week:   The holiday season is not always filled with JOY.  There are many whom have a hard time with the holidays because of the added stress of shopping or social gatherings.  Others struggle with the financial difficulty the holidays can bring.  While there are those who are grieving loved ones whom they shared many holiday memories and traditions.  When a person experiences any of these, the JOY of the season can be very hard to find.  Consider what you can do to help alleviate some of the stressors this holiday either for yourself or for others.  Are there people within your reach who are affected by any of the stressors of the holiday season?  What can you do to give them some relief? It might be someone in your immediate family or someone on another continent, either way make a plan to bring someone JOY this week!