DECEMBER 14, Joy
(The third theme of Advent is Joy. If you’re lighting an Advent wreath, this is the Shepherd’s candle. Perhaps, more than the other themes, joy is the most understandable. An appropriate example is pregnancy. Carrying a baby for nine months, increasingly more laborious and expectant, until the gladness of hearing and holding the baby is a reality. If we multiply that times an impossible number of years, we might get a glimpse of how joyous the news of the Messiah’s arrival would have been. Today, we get to celebrate everything Jesus is and was as we wait, in joy, for what is coming when he returns.)
Adoration & Worship
We join with heavenly host, this ancient chorus, to praise you, LORD, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he has favored! Luke 2:14
Repentance & Confession
Have mercy on me, Lord, and restore me with the joy of your salvation. Teach me humility because it is you who holds me together. Psalm 51:12
Petition (asking for personal needs)
Teach me to ponder every word you speak in my heart, and wonder at every fulfillment of your promises. Your word is my treasure, more than gold and silver, so I store it up in my heart. Luke 2:18-19, Psalm 119:72, Psalm 119:11
Intercession (praying for others)
I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, that as we tend to what you’ve called us to do, like the Shepherds, that we will be surrounded by your glory and aware of what you are speaking in this hour. And with haste, we will encourage each other to go and see the thing you have made known to us. Luke 2:8-9, 15-16
Thanksgiving
Thank you, Lord, we have no reason to fear, but you have given us every reason to behold you. You are our savior! You bring good news of great joy for all your people. Through you, Jesus, we are saved from death! Luke 2:10-11
Brave Sparrow 