The texts this week are more familiar. As we pray the Scriptures using the art of Lectio Divina, we find a richness borne of this joyous and seasonal familiarity. We are moving closer to the Christ child at Christmas in our journey through the season of Advent. The word "Christmas" is an old English word that means "Christ's Mass" which refers to the celebration of the Lord's Supper. In The Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs by Francis X. Weiser, we find that “the earliest occurrence of the word ‘Christmas’ on record is 1038 CE. Christians at this time considered the Mass (Lord's Supper) to be the most important part of the celebration of Christ's birth, hence it came to be called Christmas.” The liturgical season of Christmas begins at the close of Advent on Dec. 24 when we celebrate the birth of Christ.
Although there are essentially 4 movements: lectio (read), meditatio (reflect), oratio (respond), and contemplatio (rest) there truly are as many ways to creatively engage the bibical text through lectio divina as there are creative people who read the bible with not just their mind but their entire being. I'll guide you gently but I encourage you to surrender to God and listen to what you are "hearing with the ear of your heart."
1. Read the text slowly. Try not to get captured by trying to figure out what it means. Simply listen deeply to the words. Focus your attention on a word or a phrase that seems to call to you. Repeat your word or phrase several times letting it sink into your soul. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
2. Read the text slowly again and listen as if Jesus himself were reading to you... Reflect on your word or phrase as you pay attention to any images or memories arise for you. What feelings are emerging to accompany the text? Ask God to speak to you through your feelings. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready ...
3. Read the text slowly again, when you find yourself wanting to respond to God. What desires have been awakened within you? What area of your life do you need to spend time on? Respond to God with prayers of ... praise, confession, gratitude, discernment, commitment ... whatever emerges from within you as you consider your desires and your needs. Take a deep breath and move on when you are ready …
4. Rest in the gentle silence of God's presence. Breathe in the love of God. As you move on, breathe out the love of God upon the world!
Day 1 Read Isaiah 7:10-16 with the 4 movements of Lectio Divina
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test. Then Isaiah said: "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted.
Reading 1: What word or phrase stands out to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What does God ask/say to you in your present circumstances through this text!
Reading and Response 3: What would you like to ask God?
Reading 4: Rest …
Day 2 Read Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 with the 4 movements of Lectio Divina
Prayer for Israel’s Restoration
To the leader: on Lilies, a Covenant. Of Asaph. A Psalm.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn* of our neighbours;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn* of our neighbours;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Reading 1: What word or phrase stands out to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What does God ask/say to you in your present circumstances through this text!
Reading and Reflection 2: What does God ask/say to you in your present circumstances through this text!
Reading and Response 3: What would you like to ask God?
Reading 4: Rest …
Reading 4: Rest …
Day 3 Read Romans 1:1-7 with the 4 movements of Lectio Divina
Reading 1: What word or phrase stands out to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What does God ask/say to you in your present circumstances through this text!
Reading and Response 3: What would you like to ask God?
Reading 4: Rest
Day 4 Read Matthew 1:18-25 with the 4 movements of Lectio Divina
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Reading 1: What word or phrase stands out to you?
Reading and Reflection 2: What does God ask/say to you in your present circumstances through this text!
Reading and Response 3: What would you like to ask God?
Reading 4: Rest
Day 5 Consider these questions in the context of your study:
How do these Advent texts help me celebrate anew the coming of God incarnate in Jesus?
How do they prepare me for the second coming of Christ in glory?
Have you ever heard someone speak of a God -Experience that you were skeptical of?
Has God ever “spoken” to you in a dream or a vision or a powerful experience that you discerned was of God? What was that like for you?
Where did I see the presence of God in my life this week?
When did you seek God and feel God’s absence more that presence?
When did you embody most strongly the life that God calls you to live?
Prayer for the Week from our Readings: O come O come Emmanuel "God with us" lead us and help us choose good as you do ... Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Jesus Christ, Son of God, we belong to you and you belong to us! O come O come Emmanuel "God with us" we welcome you into our hearts today and each day anew. Amen.
Perhaps one of the most well-known songs of Advent is O come O come Emmanuel. At least it is one of my favorites ... there is a haunting sound to the music and touches me deeply as I wait with anticipation for the arrival of the Christ child ... I've chosen my 2 favorite youtube selections. The first one I love the music of Aled Jones and the visuals are not bad. He is singing in a cathedral and we find glimpses of the stained glass interspersed with his performance BUT I also love the second one for the scenes of Mother Mary and the Christ Child in various artistic medium: stained glass, sculpture and paintings but while Victor Vail's performance is very good, it lacks the sound depth of Jones.
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