A Prayer for Advent Week 1 – Br. Michael, ofm

“Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21.28

God of Hope,
The countdown Advent days have begun
and the frantic pace is settling in.
In these days of preparation when
demands seem more,
needs seem high,
and expectations seem otherworldly,
let us settle into hope.

Your hope, O God,
is not of gifts wanted,
chores done,
or cookies baked.
Your hope is about the movement of the heart,
how light settles into us this season,
and how we carry this light
as hope-bearers on the way to the manger.

In these Advent days
fill us with your hope, O God,
for it is the anchor of faith
and the response of love.
As each Advent day disappears
may we be renewed
as pilgrims on the way
to the Bethlehem crib.

Guide us, O God,
in your ways of hope
so, the frantic pace
may know moments of pause,
the demands
gain perspective,
the needs
met with kindness,
and the expectations
seen in perspective.

In this Advent season
we will gather with family and friends
in these moments
stir up in our hearts
hope
which leads us to the manger (not the malls)
where we will meet the Child
– our true and lasting Hope.
Amen.

 

 

Photo Credit: René Porter