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by G.K. Chesterton  THE HOUSE OF CHRISTMAS
A child in a foul stable, Where the beasts feed and foam; Only where he was homeless Are you and I at home: We have hands that fashion and heads that know, But our hearts we lost—how long ago! In a place no chart nor ship can show Under the sky’s dome. To an open house in the evening Home shall men come, To an older place than Eden And a taller town than Rome. To the end of the way of the wandering star, To the things that cannot be and that are, To the place where God was homeless And all men are at home
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by John DelHousaye  My favorite part of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah comes at the end of scene three in the first part when the chorus thunders, “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
At the time of Christ, Jews recited the Trisagion (τρισάγιον) or “thrice-holy” from Isaiah, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory,” a practice adopted by the church (see Revelation 4:8). It was a sacred moment: everyone knew there were wondrous angels in God’s throne room, the Seraphim, who were eternally voicing the same confession (Isaiah 6:2-3). Isaiah was given this hopeful vision in a dark time of Israel’s history. The people had lost their way and were facing exile from the Promised Land. God seemed distant. The prophet writes, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple” (6:1 ESV). The claim is shocking because, as the apostle John notes, “No one has ever seen God” (John 1:18). Moses wanted to see God, but could only bear to see an afterglow in the cleft of a rock. But later the apostle cites from the passage of the Trisagion in Isaiah with this disclosure: “Isaiah said these things because he saw his [Christ’s] glory and spoke of him” (John 12:41 ESV). Earlier, he confessed: “We have seen his glory” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, God the Son, is the image of the invisible God, who sits at the right hand of God the Father. The Holy Spirit enables us to see a little of this reality—what we can bear. And this brings us back to the words of Handel’s Messiah. The entire verse reads: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Someday, we all shall have opportunity to confess this to his face. But Advent is not merely a rehearsal, but an opportunity, even now, to join heaven and earth in adoration of our King.  Opening PrayerHow precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. -Psalm 139:17 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleFor you O God formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. -Psalm 139: 13-16 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinO God, you know my foolishness, and my guilt is not hidden from you. Have mercy -Psalm 69:5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusJesus heard that they had cast the blind man he had healed out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. -John 9:36-41 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersI will watch in hope for you, O Lord; I will wait for you, the God of my salvation; you will hear me -Micah 7:7 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerThanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given me, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. -Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken-- Top: Strasbourg, France Bottom: Wallhausen, Germany
 Opening PrayerWho am I? These lonely questions of mine mock me, whoever I am, You know. O God, I am thine! -Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleWhy are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 42: 5-6, 11 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinWoe to me, for I am undone! Because I have unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen you, the King, the Lord of hosts. -Isaiah 6:5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusYour father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. -John 8:56-59 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHelp me Lord to not live out of selfish ambitions or vain conceit, but in humility esteem others as more important than myself. Let me not look out only to my own interested, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:3-4 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerDear Father in heaven, we thank you for moving our hearts so that we may know we are your children. Even in the midst of turmoil and evil, fear and pain, you bring us happiness; we can know that you are holding us with your right hand and will finally deliver us from all evil. Let your Spirit be at work everywhere. Give us patience when time is needed in our own hearts and in the hearts of all people, who also belong to you. Continue to strengthen us so that even the heaviest burden does not crush us and we may exult in hope because you right every wrong, to the glory of your name. Amen. -Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken-- Top: Pergamon, Turkey Bottom: Assisi, Italy
 Opening PrayerGod our heavenly Father, when the thought of you wakes in our hearts, let its awakening not be like a startled bird that flies about in fear. Instead, let it be like a child waking from sleep with a heavenly smile. -Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleBlessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. -Psalm 1: 1-3 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinBlessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. -Psalm 32: 1-5 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusJesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. -John 8: 54-55 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersI love you, Lord because you have heard my voice and my supplications. Because you turned your ear to me, I will call on you as long as I live -Psalm 116: 1-2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerMay those without shelter be under your guarding this day O Christ may the wandering find places of welcome, O Son of the tears of the wounds of the piercings, May your cross this day be shielding them. -Prayer from Iona Community Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Wallhausen, Germany Bottom: Athens, Greece
 Opening PrayerShow me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation, and my hope is in you all day long. -Psalm 25: 3-5 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleWe praise you Jesus—the One who was made a little lower than the angels—now crowned with glory and honor because you suffered death, so that by the grace of God you might taste death for everyone. In bringing many of us to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make you—the author of our salvation—perfect through suffering. -Hebrews 2:9-10 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinI praise Thee Lord, for cleansing me from sin. Fulfill your Word, and make me pure within. Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame. Grant my desire to magnify your Name. -J. Edwin Orr (1912-1987) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusI honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” -John 8:49-51 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersAnswer me, O Lord, for your lovingkindness is good; in the abundance of your mercies, turn to me -Psalm 69:16 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerLet nothing disturb thee, Nothing affright thee; All things are passing; God never changeth; Patient endurance Attaineth to all things; Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth. -St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Eifel Region, Germany Bottom: Iznik (Nicea), Turkey
 Opening PrayerAlone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand than if a host did round me stand. -Columba, Irish abbot and missionary (521-597) (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleTeach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! -Pslam 27: 11-14 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinWhat I do may seem right to me and others, But you, Lord know my inner motives and what I am thinking. -Proverbs 21:2 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusJesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies -John 8:42-44 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersFar be it from me that I should sin against You, O Lord, by ceasing to pray for others -I Samuel 12:23 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerLord Jesus Christ, grant that as your body, we might we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ -Ephesians 4: 13-15 Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Meteora, Greece Bottom: Wittenberg, Germany
 Opening PrayerSpeak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. I am Your servant, give me understanding that I may know Your decrees. Incline my heart to the words of Your mouth and let them come upon me as the dew -adapted from Psalm 119 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleIt was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. -Psalm 119: 67, 71, 75 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinThanks be to you O God that I have risen this day to the rising of this life itself. May it be a day of blessing, O God of every gift, a day of new beginnings given. Help me to avoid every sin, and the source of every sin to forsake and as the mist scatters from the crest of the hills may each ill haze clear from my soul. -Prayer from Iona Community (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusI know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. -John 8:37-41 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersWhen two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. -Matthew 18:19 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerO Holy Spirit, give me faith that will protect me from despair, from passions, and from vice; give me such love for God and men as will blot out all hatred and bitterness; give me the hope that will deliver me from fear and faint-heartedness. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Arat Plain, Armenia Bottom: Rothenburg, od Tauber, Germany
 Opening PrayerFather, I need you, I feel alone and abandoned, help me to trust that you are here now wanting to meet with me. You are my Shepherd, restoring my soul, and gently guiding me. Open my eyes to see where you are at work within me and around me. -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleThe Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23: 1-4 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinThank you Jesus, that sin no longer need reign in my body that I should obey its evil desires. With your help, I will not present the parts of my body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but I will present myself to You, Lord God, as one who is alive from the dead. -Romans 6:12 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave] to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -John 8:31-36 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBlessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! -Psalm 66:20 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerYou never go away from us, Yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run. -Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Istanbul, Turkey Bottom: Yeghegnadzor, Armenia
 Opening PrayerThe Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. -Habakkuk 2:20 (silent reflection) Prayer of the BibleAll the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth. Yes, they sing of Your ways, O Lord, for Your glory is great. Though You reign on high, Yet you look upon the lowly, but the proud You know from afar. -Psalm 138: 4-6 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinO that we may all receive of Christ’s fullness, grace upon grace; grace to pardon our sins, and subdue our iniquities; to justify our persons and to sanctify our souls; and to complete that holy change, that renewal of our hearts, whereby we may be transformed into that blessed image wherein thou didst create us. Amen -John Wesley (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusSo Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him. -John 8:28-30 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHave mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. -Psalm 86:3 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerGod of compassion, You sent Jesus to proclaim a time of mercy reaching out to those who had no voice, releasing those trapped by their own shame, and welcoming those scorned by society. Make us ambassadors of reconciliation. Open our ears that we may listen with respect and understanding. Touch our lips that we may speak your words of peace and forgiveness. Warm our hearts that we may bring wholeness to the broken-hearted and dissolve the barriers of division. Guide the work of your Church and renew us with the Spirit of your love. Forgive, restore and strengthen us through our Lord Jesus Christ. -Prayer of Reconciliation Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photos taken--Top: Interlaken, Switzerland Bottom: Bruge, Belgium
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