First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, November 30
First Week of Advent

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears.

Somehow stepping into this four-week season often brings a small jolt of
panic. Perhaps it’s because we are thinking about everything we need to
get done between now and December 25. The clock has officially started.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is the perfect antidote to the adrenaline spike
and often-frantic hurry of this season. The pace is slow and
deliberate—there’s no way to rush through this ancient song. It forces us
to be still for a few minutes and contemplate our own lonely exile. What keeps us captive? And why?

Prayer for Morning
Jesus, Emmanuel—your name means “God is with us.” You share our
humanity. Help me to see the ways you come to me—not in the abstract
but in the real circumstances in my life today. Open my eyes and my heart
to welcome you to the people and events that come into my life this day.

Ponder Today
Christ came to ransom us. What keeps my spirit captive? From what do
I seek ransom?

Prayer for Evening
Jesus, Emmanuel, you come to me here and now. You are not waiting for
me to get my act together or to prove that I’m worthy of you. You arrive
in the midst of my mess and my to-do list and my regrets, for you want to
share life with me. Open my eyes and heart to receive your gifts, O Lord,
especially when I don’t feel ready for you.