Day 1 of our 2018 Advent Contemplations (script below).
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is Day one: Sunday, Dec. 2. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide today.
During the first week of Advent we focus on cultivating hope—practicing being wide-eyed, and looking for signs of God in everything.
Each day, we’ll start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 20 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, why you appreciate it, and to thank God for whatever it is. Let’s start that practice now.
[20 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to a petitionary prayer, where we ask God for something based on the Advent theme for the week. This week we’re focusing on cultivating hope, and today we’ll ask God to give us hope for something specific in our daily work. Let’s start by thinking about what we hope for in our work lives—and work life of course includes you moms or dad who stay at home with kids, and those of you who might be retired or on disability … who define your vocations differently at this stage in life. Ask for hope for something in your daily tasks or outlook.
You can start by praying, “God, give me hope for _________ in the work that I do.”
[20 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Micah 7:1-3; 7. It says:
What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
none of the early figs that I crave.
The faithful have been swept from the land;
not one upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait to shed blood;
they hunt each other with nets.
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;
the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,
the powerful dictate what they desire—
they all conspire together.
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.____________
We’ll close today by meditating on Psalm 33:20, which says:
“We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him, for He is our Divine Help and Impenetrable Shield.”
Spend just a few moments ruminating on God as an impenetrable shield.
Our Concluding Prayer:
Creator, almighty and everlasting, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus my Lord. Amen