Daily Devotion

As we continue our journey through the season of Advent; a season of waiting, hoping, preparing for the coming of Christ, we ponder how to be ready when Christ comes among us.  This week our theme is “preparing our homes.”  We will look at some things that we can do to create space around us that will invite us into times of prayer and contemplation, and also call us to live lives that reflect the one for whom we wait. 

When reading scripture have you ever noticed how seldom it’s mentioned that Jesus was in the Temple?  We know that he went there, and probably went there regularly, but the bulk of his ministry happened when he was out and about.  Walking from town to town, encountering people on the road, visiting in people’s homes, stopping by at their work places (he called fishermen and tax collectors as disciples).  Jesus didn’t set up shop in the Temple and wait for people to come to him.  He met them where they were, where they lived their lives.

I miss gathering in our church building very much.  It is a holy place for me.  But Jesus revealed through his ministry that our homes and work places are also holy spaces where Christ is present.  As we reach the half-way mark of Advent, I want to invite you into a practice that I hope will serve as a reminder that your home is a holy place.  It has long been a tradition in the Christian faith to do house blessings at Epiphany.  Today, I invite you to say a blessing for your home/family and for your Christmas tree as a way to mark the season. Light a candle as a reminder that Jesus with you, gather your family together, or say these prayers yourself, as a way to mark the holiness of the “temple” of your home.

Blessed be the Holy Trinity  + one God,
Who spreads forth the heavens like a tent,
Who shelters our lives,
Who comes to make a home with us.
Amen

Light the candle:
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.   Whoever follows me will have the light of life. “ 
I/we light this candle as a sign of Christ’s presence in our/my home and in our/my life.

Say this prayer:
Gracious and compassionate God, in the birth of Jesus you have come to make a home with us, including making your home, with us/me here.  Let this be a place where we/I find joy and comfort; shelter from weather and a place of nourishment and rest; where we/I share other’s joys and sorrows; and grow in love toward you and others.   Bless our/my going out and coming in.  Keep all evil away from this door, and let us/me share the hospitality of this home with all who visit, that those who enter here may know your love and peace.  Let this home be a place where we/I grow in faith and come to know you more fully.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

You can use this as a blessing for your Christmas tree:
God of all creation,
we/I praise you for this tree
which brings beauty and memories
and the promise of life to this home.
May your blessing be upon
all who gather around this tree,
all who keep the Christmas festival by its lights.
We/I wait for the coming of the Christ,
the days of everlasting justice and of peace.
You are God, living and reigning,
for ever and ever. 
R. Amen.

If you are reading Luke’s Gospel this month, today is Luke 11.   This weekend you also read Luke 12 and 13 Here is the link for all three chapters:  Luke 11-13