Welcome! As you set aside time each day for Advent prayer we invite you to use this approach, which works well for individuals and groups of all ages.

Light a candle. Pause to remember the presence of God filling you with Light and Love.

Pray this Opening Prayer:

Radiant Creator, awaken me to your presence.
Jesus, Light of all Lights, kindle love in my heart.
Spirit of Illumination, guide my path today.

Advent Reflection for the Day

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. Luke 2:9

What’s a Christmas without angels? In the Jesus story we have angels visiting Mary, Joseph and Zechariah. And when the baby is born: A multitude of heavenly host announce the Good News to shepherds on a hillside.

It’s understandable that every instance of angel encounter produces fear in the human witnesses! Why so? Doesn’t everyone know that angels are good things? Well, no matter how you slice it, people get scared when confronted by strange beings from another realm. The good thing is that everyone seems to calm down and end up having a good experience with the angel and accepting the angel’s message from God.

Most of us have not spoken to a celestial being; but, we believe that God sends us messengers in the form of fellow humans. These can be strangers, housemates, children, teachers or first responders. You know what I mean. Let’s be watching for them and listening to them when they speak the challenge and the good news: Let Christ be born in you this week. Be generous and welcoming. Give from both your abundance and your poverty. Worship and sing praises. Share the light. Show mercy to all who are suffering. 

None of this is hard to do. Although we may need to get over the fear that we have been tapped and summoned by God– that we have been asked to show great love.

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Set your intention for the day. Say: Today I will watch for an angel and heed God’s message as best I can.

Pray this Closing Prayer:

Jesus, you are the Everlasting Light.
Help me to bring your love everywhere I go.
Fill me with Light this Advent
that all my life will reflect you.
Shine through me so that that everyone I meet today
would feel your presence in my spirit.
Let them look and see, not just me, but you,
Light of all Lights, Shining through me. Amen

As you blow out the candle and the flame vanishes, remember you have divine light within you that will never go out. You take the light of Christ with you wherever you are.

Together on the Journey,

Katie Martinez