iCrucified

Today marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year. This is the first Sunday of Advent 2009…

I plan to focus this year on the Liturgical Calendar. My tradition has not been one that expresses participation with the Christian seasons in full. As an act of discipline and spiritual exploration I intend to enter the journey of the Christian year beginning today. I’m using several tools that will help educate and guide me; in all likelihood, I will pick up a few more along the way. These present tools follow: Living the Christian Year by Bobby Gross; The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister; Ancient Christian Devotional – A Year of Weekly Readings edited by Thomas Oden; and I will be utilizing resources that introduce me to historical prayers during the Advent season. I will share additional resources as I learn of them and incorporate them into my journey.

During Advent we focus on

• The arrival of Christ in history; the coming of the Christ child and Messiah Jesus
• The final return of Christ at the end of time when all things will be restored
• The intermediate entrance of Christ into our lives (our personal redeeming salvation)

The themes of Advent are:

• Death and Life
• Darkness and Light
• Doubt and Longing

Advent is a time of expectant waiting…our longing for Christ deepens as we slow down and focus our attention and intentions upon Him, our Redeemer-Reconciler-Restorer. O joyous wonder awaits expectant hearts!

“The Biblical scope of Advent stretches from the garden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem in Revelation. Advent concerns first and last things. It involves looking back and learning forward. In Advent we ponder the promises of God from beginning to end.” (Living the Christian Year; p.42)

Opening Prayer for Advent

To you, my God, I lift my soul,
I trust in you; let me never come to shame.
Do not let my enemies laugh at me.
No one who waits for you is ever put to shame.

All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.

Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of his coming
may find us rejoicing in his presence
and welcoming the light of his truth.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

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