Advent Prayer
In our secret yearnings
we wait for your coming,
and in our grinding despair
we doubt that you will.
And in this privileged place
we are surrounded by witnesses who yearn more than do we
and by those who despair more deeply than do we.
Look upon your church and its pastors
in this season of hope
which runs so quickly to fatigue
and in this season of yearning
which becomes so easily quarrelsome.
Give us the grace and the impatience
to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes,
to the edges of our fingertips.
We do not want our several worlds to end.
Come in your power
and come in your weakness
in any case
and make all things new.
Amen.”
—Walter Brueggemann (Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth)
A blessed Advent
We at Renovaré wish you and yours a beautiful and meaningful Advent season. We invite you to join with us this month as we celebrate the with-God life while simultaneously waiting and watching for Messiah during “this season of hope … this season of yearning.”
If you are looking for a new way to usher in the Christmastide, we’d like to let you know about a 4‑part video series from our very own Director of Education, Carolyn Arends. A couple of years ago, she recorded these short, poignant pieces for Carey Theological College, and this year they are offering the series to the public for a donation. These videos are a unique way to anticipate the coming Child whether in an individual study, as a family adventure, or even within your small group. As a bonus, Carolyn pairs each talk with one of her original Christmas songs. We are grateful to be able to share this resource with you.
You can find “Advent with Carolyn Arends” by clicking here.
Peace to you. Peace of the season. Peace in Christ.
