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.

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 7th, December 12th, and December 18th.

Day 1, December 1st

Reading: Luke 1:1-4

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus! Fill our hearts with your spirit anew.

People: We begin this season with a time of expectancy. In this dark night, it is your presence, your light, your face that we seek, Lord Jesus. We await your coming to us.

People: As we wait, we look to your word, and we thank you Lord, for the truth that is written in it.

Leader: We thank you for this story. We thank you for Luke, the man who took care to write down exactly what happened. We look forward with excitement, together as we get ready to read about your coming to the earth.

People: Bless us, O lord, in this time of waiting. Let us know our need for the light of your presence this night.

Together: Amen

Day 2, December 2

Reading: Luke 1:5-7

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill our hearts with your spirit anew.

Leader: Lord, we look to the saints of old to guide us in the way we should walk.

People: May we be a people full of love and honor and worship, as Zacharias and Elizabeth were.

Leader: Teach us Lord, to be righteous. Teach us to walk in your ways, for the glory of your name.

People: Lord, we worship you. We exalt your name!

Leader: Bless us Lord, this evening, as we bless your name. Cleanse our minds and hearts so we might dream in the midst of your holiness, your grace and your peace tonight.

Together: Amen

Day 3, December 3

Luke 1:8-10

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus.

People: Fill our hearts with your spirit anew

Leader: Lord, tonight we bring you our offering of worship.

People: We bring you our offering of praise. Holy is your name!

Leader: May our prayers tonight be like incense, a beautiful scent of worship that actually touches your senses.

People: May all people and angels in the heavenly realm smell our offering of praise to you tonight!

Leader: Thank you Lord, that by your coming to the earth, you have opened the door to your inner courts. Thank you that we can come to you directly, just as Zacharias did when he came to you in the inner courts.

People: We are worshippers in your inner courts. We worship you!

Leader: Bless us Lord, as we sleep tonight. May the incense of our prayers linger in our homes and in the heavens long after we fall asleep.

Together: Amen.

Day 4, December 4

Reading: Luke 1:12-17

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Fill us with your joy. Fill us with your peace.

Leader: We thank You Lord, that in your presence there is fullness and joy.

People: You bring joy! You bring peace.

pause for a moment to allow the Lord’s peace to come to you.

Leader: Lord, we give you thanks for those who prepare the way.

People: Open our ears to hear and to honor the prophets in our midst.

Leader: Show us, this night, how we, like John, might pave the way for your coming.

People: By your spirit, we pave the way for you to come: to us, and to those who need healing, love and compassion.

Together: We prepare the way together. Bless us O Lord, as we bless your name this night. Amen.

Day 5, December 5

Reading: Luke 1:18-23

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Descend upon us, tonight we pray.

Leader: Lord, allow us the grace to perceive you when you come to us in the Holy Place.

People: Help us not to be afraid of encountering you, Lord. Teach us to look forward to our meetings with you! We want to be a people who are watchful, ever eager to meet you!

Leader: We long for more holy visitations from you. Teach us to respond to you, Lord, when you come.

People: Grant us, Lord, the wisdom to know when to speak of your wonders to others. Teach us Lord, about your timing, not ours.

Leader: May your peace rest upon us as we sleep tonight. We pray you will meet us in our dreams.
Together: Amen

Day 6, December 6

Reading : Luke 1:24,25

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: We open our hearts to you tonight.

Leader: Lord, we worship you. You are the giver of life. You are a good God!

People: We praise you! We thank you for your goodness.

Leader: We thank you, Father that you wipe away all of our tears.

People: You take away all of our shame.

Together: You bring honor. You bring blessing.

Leader: Teach us Lord, to know and to appreciate every good gift you give us. We thank you for a Father who wants to bless his children!

People: We treasure your blessings, Lord.
Most of all this night, we treasure you. We love you!

Leader: Grant us O Lord, your grace and peace tonight as we sleep.
Together: Amen.

While I was in Chang Mai a few things came easily, like eating Thai food. Greeting the lovely Thai with a bow. Working alongside a new homeowner spreading mortar between bricks.

One thing that did not come easily was prayer.

Perhaps one of the reasons was there was no time for it. We were going from the break of dawn until we collapsed into bed. I thought of Jesus. I missed him. I tried to feel Him in the air, in the mountains…in my body, but I couldn’t.

All the while, I watched my Muslim friends pray behind the storage shed every day. They made the time. And the space. As I watched them, envious of their ability to stop and pray in the middle of their work day–I began to notice that our practices–in time and space–to cultivate the presence of God–are crucial to the fueling of the soul.

My practices in Chang Mai were non-existent.

I noticed as the days passed I was feeling more dark, and more separated from my connection to God. I missed my piano, my chair, and my walks in the woods where I experience God’s presence.

I tried to pray here and there…to practice the presence of the Lord when I could, amidst the busy-ness… but to no avail.
By the end of our trip, I was sure God simply didn’t live in Chang Mai.

Until our last day.

As a final hurrah, my husband and I decided to go on a hike in the mountains. We traveled a trail that was very steep and treacherous at times complete with brambles and skinny ledges. We were guided by a small strong man named Bon, who wore flip flops. He blazed the trail like a gazelle while we panted and struggled to keep up. The hike lasted close to five hours. Towards the end of the journey, our legs were burning and jello-like.

As were coming back down the mountain, we passed another group that had been trekking for three days. They had picked up a stray dog that had become a part of their group.

As we passed, they stopped us and asked us if we would look after the dog. They were heading toward a village that eats dogs.

But of course, our guide agrees. This is the way we do things; trekking up and down mountains, passing dogs from one group to the next.

So the other group kept walking and left the dog with us. With no leash, of course. Our guide called the dog, Come! But it sat and laid down. We tried coaxing the dog with cookies. No go. The dog kept turning round to look for the old pack, oblivious to the danger that lay before him. After more pulling and prodding and more bribing, our guide stooped down and picked up the dog.

And he carried that dog down the mountain like a baby.

When I think about it, I smile.

I just couldn’t seem to get to Him during that trip.
Instead, he came to me, in the form of a small Thai mountain man.

Looking back now I can see how savior-like our little mountain guide was that day. Leading us on the narrow path, bringing us from the darkness of the jungle into the light of day…and rescuing that dog from danger.

And I thought God didn’t live in Chang Mai.