“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return…
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return…
Remember that you are dust…

The priest moves from one finite being to the next, touching foreheads and whispering the ancient words that mark this day.

Unlike any other day, today, Ash Wednesday is the day we remember our finite-ness in the presence of an infinite God.
We remember that we came from dust, and one day, to dust we will return.
We remember that our lives are fleeting.
We remember that God is not.

Today, unlike any other day we bear ashes on our foreheads
in the sign of the cross.
We are dust.

Today, we are called to look at the ways we distract ourselves and forget.
Today, and tomorrow…and for the next forty days–we remember.
We heed the call to return,
and to remember.

I will not forget You.

Recently I came across the words of Clyde Kilby, beautiful soul and professor of English at Wheaton College from 1935 to 1981.

He was a lover of words, of nature, of beauty–and a true lover of the Creator of all things beautiful.

While he wrote down 12 suggestions for living a life of wonder and integrity, I happen to be stuck on the first one. More may come later…but for now, there is something profound about staying here, for me–and maybe for you too.

At least once each day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with everlasting mysterious things above and about me.

Be blessed in your wondering this week.

Mostly, I think about Mary during advent. Maybe because she, aside from her holiness and purity, is the person in the Jesus Story I can relate to most. Contemplating her position of fear, submission, awe and wonder and worship all mixed in with this unique experience of carrying God–once you get inside her skin, it is very…
Well, I can’t, get inside her skin.

But Luci Shaw did. And she brings heaven to earth here inside this meditation. Luci is a Christian mystic, an author of several books, a poet, and a 1953 graduate of my alma mater, Wheaton College.

Mary’s Song

Blue homespun and the bend of my breast

keep warm this small hot naked star

fallen to my arms. (Rest…you who have had so far to come.)

Now nearness satisfies

the body of God sweetly.
Quiet he lies

whose vigor hurled a universe.

He sleeps

whose eyelids have not closed before.

His breath (so light it seems no breath at all) once ruffled the dark deeps

to sprout a world.

Charmed by doves’ voices, the whisper of straw, he dreams,

hearing no music from his other spheres.

Breath, mouth, ears, eyes

he is curtailed who overflowed all skies, all years.

Older than eternity, now he is new.

Now native to earth as I am, nailed to my poor planet,

caught that I might be free,

blind in my womb to know my darkness ended,

brought to this birth for me to be new-born,

and for him to see me mended

I must see him torn.

copyright 2000, Angels of Light

Day 13

Reading: Luke 1:67-79

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill our hearts with your spirit tonight!

Leader: We join Zechariah in prayer. We join Zechariah in praise!

People: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to be our Redeemer!

Leader: He is our salvation! He is our strength!

People: As He told us he would, long ago, through the prophets, He has saved us from our enemies. He has saved us from evil!

Leader: He has shown mercy on us! He has shown mercy on our Fathers.

People: He has strengthened us to serve Him fearlessly, in holiness and righteousness. We worship Him now and forever!

Leader: We praise you and thank you for John-a prophet of the Most High–for giving us the knowledge of salvation and of the forgiveness of sins. We thank you that he introduced your people to the tenderness of your mercy!

People: Lord, we turn our face to you. Shine on us from heaven! Shine on all of those living in darkness!

Together: Guide our feet Lord, into your path of peace tonight. Amen.

Day 14

Reading: Luke 1:80

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill us with your Holy Spirit!

Leader: Lord Most High, We worship you!

People: You are Powerful, You are Strength!

Leader: By your powerful word, you create. By Your powerful hand, you save nations.

People: Just as you met John in the desert with your strength, I pray: fill me with strength, oh Lord! I thank you for hearing my cries, Oh Mighty One, for you care about my weakness.

Leader: By your power you instill us with strength. We call to you, and you answer us!

People: Sovereign King! Hope of the Nations! Great Spirit, arise within my soul with strength and power.

Leader: Unite our souls with yours, O Great God of the Universe! Fill us to overflowing with your Powerful Spirit.

People: Strengthen my faith so I might see and know this glorious miracle of your strength within my soul. I declare I am strong in you!

Leader: We thank you for hearing us tonight Lord, and for strengthening our spirits with Yours. Grant us rest and peace tonight oh, Lord.

Together: Amen

Day 15

Reading: Luke 2:1-5

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We open up our hearts tonight!

Leader: Father, we greet you tonight with willingness.

People: We are a people who are willing.

Leader: We are willing to do as you ask. For the journeys that we must take, Lord, we trust that you will go before us.

People: Go before us, Lord, as you did so long ago when you guided Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem- the prophesied place of your birth.

Leader: Go before us, Lord. Lead us and guide us into the destiny you call us to.

People: Let us never question when our acts of obedience might align with your divine plan for us and for your kingdom!

Together: Go before us as we sleep, tonight, Lord. Lead us and beckon us on our journey to rest, and ready our hearts for our assignment tomorrow. Amen.

Day 16

Reading: Luke 2:6-7

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We welcome you into our midst tonight.

Leader: Lord, you came to us from heaven. We remember that night long ago when you were born of Mary. You came to us through the most humble means imaginable.

People: We are humbled Lord, as we remember your birth on that cold night. In a true, tangible, touchable form, you became a baby. You became poor. You became Love in human form.

Together: We are humbled Lord, as we think of you leaving your Father’s side in glory to come down to us! We are humbled as we ponder the Father’s grief in letting you go.
pause for a moment

Leader: High King of heaven, humble servant of the most High, we welcome you tonight into our midst. We admit we don’t always notice you in the simple, uncomplicated ways you come to us.

People: Teach us Lord, to watch for you.

Leader: We welcome you in our midst when you come in glory. We welcome you in our midst when you come in humility. We put aside all pre-conceived expectations of what we think you should look like!

Together: We give you permission to surprise us today and tomorrow with your presence! We will watch for you tonight Lord, in whichever way you come. Amen.

Day 17

Reading: Luke 2:8-10

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Holy Spirit, come!

Leader: God of light, Famous One, Come in power, Come in glory!

People: We worship you!

Together: Your presence is beautiful, mighty and glorious.

Leader: We look to the heavens tonight as the angels did! We seek your glory!

People: We look within our midst as we seek your face!

Leader: Teach us Lord, not to shrink back from your glorious presence, your everlasting light. Teach us to seek you. Help us to know we are safe when your glory comes to rest upon us!

Together: We are not afraid. Bring your glory down! Amen.

Day 18

Reading: Luke 2:10-11

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We welcome you! We welcome the message of your good news into our hearts again!

Leader: Lord, the scriptures tell us “A Savior has been born.”

People: “For us!”

Together: “Christ the Lord!”

Leader: We delight in this message. We rejoice with the angels and agree: this is great news!

People: Joy, joy, joy! Joy wells up in our hearts as we think of Christ the Lord–our Savior, coming to the earth to save us and all mankind!

Leader: Thank you, Lord, for sending your Son to save us. Thank you for sending a savior to be born!

Together: Our souls are at rest tonight as we delight in the angels’ message. We are at peace. Our hearts are filled with joy! Amen.

Day 19

Reading: Luke 2:12-14

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We rejoice in your arrival to the earth!

Leader: We join the angels and the multitudes singing:

People: Glory!

Leader: Glory to God in the Highest!

Together: Glory to God in the Highest!

Leader: We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory!

People: We give you all the glory tonight, Lord!

Leader: Lord, we thank you for your promise of peace. We stand in unity with you Lord, and proclaim peace to all people tonight!

Together: Peace to everyone! Amen.

Day 20

Reading: Luke 2:15

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We hasten to greet you Lord!

Leader: Lord, we want to be like the shepherds.

People: Teach us to wait and to watch for you, as they did that night out in the fields.

Leader: Teach us to discern and to share with others when we get a revelation from you! Help us to discuss the importance of these revelations, and to know what to do with them!

People: We pursue you and your presence tonight, Lord. We want to be a people that pursue you like the shepherds did.

Together: We say, tonight, Let’s go! Let’s go to Bethlehem!

Leader: Let us go to find this Christ Child wrapped in cloths and laying in a manger!

People: Let us go and worship Him!

Together: We run to you, tonight, Lord, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. Amen.

Day 21

Reading: Luke 2:16,17

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We worship at your feet.

Leader: We bow before you in worship, tonight, God, as the shepherds did when they came to greet you.

People: We recognize, you a humble baby, born in a stable. You are the Savior of the world.

Leader: We like the shepherds, proclaim the message tonight, to everyone.
People: We will shout it out!

Together: Christ the Savior is born!

Leader: Lord, instill us with your confidence to share this good news with others, just as the shepherds did that night long, long ago.

Together: We will tell of your good news again and again! Amen.

Day 22

Reading: Luke 2:18

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill us with your spirit, we pray.

Leader: We pray for all those tonight who have not heard of your good news.

People: We pray for those who know you and for those who don’t know you.

Leader: Lord, Fill the earth with wonder tonight. Fill the earth with a fresh revelation at the wonder of your coming to the earth!

Together: Open eyes! Open ears! Open hearts!

Leader: May the wonder of your salvation fall anew on the hearts of all mankind tonight!
Teach us how to deeply love those who are searching for you today, and tomorrow!

Together: We join you in welcoming and beckoning all of your beloved into your kingdom tonight, Lord. Amen!

Day 23

Reading: Luke 2:19

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill us with your spirit, we pray.

Leader: We thank you for revealing yourself to us and for bringing us salvation through Jesus. We pause for a moment to meditate upon you.

pause for a moment

Together: We, like Mary take this moment to treasure You.

People: We treasure you. You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold!

Leader: We love you Lord! We magnify your name.

People: We exalt your name together!

Leader: We ponder what this means, Your coming.

People: We ponder Your love.

Leader: We ponder your grace.

People: We ponder your goodness.

Leader: Let us hold this treasure in our hearts tonight. Let us not grow weary of meditating upon you, Lord. May the mystery and beauty of the incarnation baffle us, overwhelm us, and bring us to our knees!

Together: We will rest tonight, treasuring the mystery of your grace coming to us in the form of a tiny babe. Amen

Day 24

Reading: Luke 2:20

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We delight in your presence.

Leader: You are Emmanuel.

People: God with us!

Leader: Like the shepherds, we worship you.

People: We glorify your name! We praise you.

Leader: We rejoice in the truth! We rejoice in what we see and know and hear about you, Jesus!

People: We rest knowing that the God of the universe is born!

Together: Joy to the world, The Lord is come! We, together, with the whole earth receive our king. Amen.

Advent Evening Prayers are designed to center our thoughts and hearts on the mystery and beauty of the advent season. Based on the first two chapters of Luke, Advent Evening Prayers are meant to be read out loud at the end of the day. Each prayer begins with a scripture followed by a responsive reading. For each reading, you will need a bible, two or more people, and an open heart. We hope you are blessed as you take a moment each night this season to reflect on the wonder of Christ coming to the earth.

subsequent readings will be posted on December 12th and December 18th.

Day 7

Reading: Luke 1:26-28

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We honor you, Lord. We worship you. We bless your name!

Leader: We thank you for your truth and for your word that points us to you, Jesus–the true Messiah.

People: From the line of David, you came, as foretold by the prophets.

Leader: Lord, we thank you for Mary. We thank you for her example of purity and grace and love. She loved you, adored you, and worshipped you as her Beloved Father.

People: May we grow in our affections and love for you!

Leader: Lord, you have shown us your favor. You have poured out grace upon us because of your deep love for us.

People: You have given us the ultimate gift of favor. Of grace.

Leader: Lead us, Lord, into a deeper knowing of this gift. Teach us, by your spirit of your grace.

People: We rest in your favor tonight, Oh Lord.

Together: We rest in your grace. Amen.

Day 8

Reading: Luke 1:29-37

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Open our eyes, open our ears, open our hearts!

Leader: Lord, you are powerful. You are great! You are a mysterious God.

People: We admit we do not always understand your ways.

Leader: Teach us Lord, about your ways.

People: You brought a heavenly message to a humble peasant girl who was shocked.

Together: We give you permission to shock us! We give you permission to invade our lives!

Leader: We long for an encounter with you! We thank you that in your presence, there is no need to fear.

Together: We are not afraid.

People: Lord, prepare our hearts for a heavenly encounter with you! As you sent Gabriel to Mary, we also, expect you to come to us Lord, in whatever way you see fit.

Leader: We know that you are sovereign. You are powerful. And nothing is impossible with you. We understand you might include us in your powerful mysterious plan some day.

People: May we welcome your heavenly announcements into our souls, into our minds, into our daily lives.

Together: Grant us rest tonight, Lord. We look to you this night and declare we are ready. We are not afraid of a heavenly awakening. Amen.

Day 9

Reading: Luke 1:38

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We lift up our hearts.

Leader: Transform our minds, our spirits and our souls.

People: Lord, we give you permission to transform us. We soften toward you, tonight.

Pause for a moment.

Silently, on your own pray: When you call for me, I will lean in toward you so I can hear more clearly.

Leader: When you call we will answer.

People: We want to please you, Lord. We want to make your heart glad! When you ask us to do something, grant us the grace to do it willingly.

Leader: We will do as you ask today, Lord.

People: We will do as you ask!

Leader: Lord, bend us and mold us to your will as we rest in your presence this night.

Together: Amen.

Day 10

Reading: Luke 1:39-45

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill us with your Spirit, we pray.

Leader: Hark! The spirit of the Lord is near!

People: Rise up within us, Lord! Like Elizabeth, we ask for the ability to perceive you in us. Grant us, like Elizabeth, the discernment to perceive you in other people.

Leader: Quicken our spirits to sense when you are near.

People: Engage our hearts to love one another more deeply.

Leader: Let us not be afraid to bless each other.

People: We bless your name, Lord Jesus! Bless us Lord, that we might freely bless others.

Leader: Grant us the courage this night, today and tomorrow, to be loving, fearless vessels of your Holy Spirit.

Together: Amen.

Day 11

Reading: Luke 1:46-56

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We lift up our hearts!

Leader: Lord, thank you for Mary, mother of Jesus. Tonight we set our hearts in unity with the young girl, lonely and afraid, who loved you and worshipped you. We join Mary in this song of praise she sang while you were growing inside of her!

People: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

Leader: Since that night long ago in town called Nazareth, all generations call Mary blessed because she said yes!

People: We join with her, proclaiming: the Mighty One has done great things for us! Holy is his name!
Leader: His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

People: He has performed mighty deeds. He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Leader: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

People: Lord, help us to be humble.

Leader: He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

People: Lord, help us to be hungry for you and not full of ourselves.

Leader: He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to those who trust in Him.

People: Great is the Lord, who humbled himself through Mary to become one of us, to save us from destruction!

Together: Great is the Lord, who calls us to mighty acts of obedience and who gives us great dreams! Praise be to God this night. Amen.

Day 12

Reading: Luke 1:56-66

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We open our hearts to you.

Leader: Lord, tonight we celebrate those who participated in your divine plan to bring Jesus to us.

People: We thank you for John who prepared the way for you…and for his faithful parents who followed you and obeyed you.

Leader: Teach us Lord, about how we might participate in your divine plan!

People: As Elizabeth was confident to give John his name, Lord, we pray for the same confidence to speak your truth. As Zechariah was patient, Lord, we pray for the same steadfast resolve to hold our tongue when it is not time to speak.

Leader: We thank you for the way you speak and the words you give us. Heighten our senses, again Lord, to discern your voice. Teach us to fear not when it is our time to speak of your promises and your truth.

Together: Lord we trust you. As we look back with thanksgiving, we honor the way you moved and worked through your saints two thousand years ago. We join the saints of the ages tonight and give you permission to move us into your divine way tonight. Amen.