Second Sunday of Advent, 2008

Advent Awakening

O God of tender voice,
We turn our attention to you in these Advent days,
For your concern pierces the ages,
Your words tell us again of your comfort and care.

You remind us of your ancient promise,
That nothing hinders your love for your people.
You shepherd us when we stray
and protect us when we are afraid.

You gave voice to your prophet John, who speaks to us today,
His hearty zeal still points us to your coming and salvation.
His attention to you teaches us to let go of our selfish ways.

Awaken us to your presence when we feel abandoned and alone.
Awaken us to your love when apathy
has lulled us into unfaithful sleep.
Awaken us to the sound of your voice
in our children who depend on us.

Challenge us to silence our words of revenge and neglect.
Challenge us when we rely on our own powers of unhealthy addictions.
Challenge us along the rugged path of our families’ broken relationships.

Prepare us to see beyond our bounty
to those who starve for food and housing.
Prepare us to gaze on people lost
in desserts of disease and mental illness.
Prepare us to look further
along our rough roads of loneliness and poverty.

God of everlasting love,
From our celebration of Word and Sacrament,
Give us true heavenly food and gather us in your arms.
Awaken our lives in the promise of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen