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Advent 4B

prayer of confession: greatness and glory

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submitted by Eric Beene, Pastor, White Bluff Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia

Almighty God, we know that the things you have done for us are great.  The powerful cannot rule us, and the hungry are filled with good things.  We know the greatness of your strength, and we know the unexpectedness of your mercy.  So why do we try to make your coming into the world cute, cozy, and soft, like a fuzzy blanket on a cold night? Forgive us, O Lord, for the ways we reduce your glory into something easy.  Prepare us, O Lord, to stop what we are doing, to look, and to listen; to let our jaws drop and let chills run up our spines; to stare wide-eyed in wonder and awe at the glory of the Lord dwelling among us.  We pray in the name of Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Sunday’s Coming: working toward December 18

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Here we are, the 4th Sunday of Advent. Some of us will be having special musical programs this week, others children’s programs or pageants. Some of us are bursting with anticipation at getting to preach about David’s desire to build a house of cedar for God (now that his own palace of cedar is finished!) and the smackdown David gets from God: “did I ask you to build me a house?” Okay, maybe no one is bursting with anticipation to preach that a mere 6 days before Christmas.

But the Annunciation, where nothing is impossible? Mary visiting Elizabeth? the Magnificat? Some of us got to preach the Magnificat last week, others like to save Mary for the fourth Sunday. Either way, we may be engaging in singing that classic Advent carol The Canticle of the Turning! 🙂

Maybe you’ve been following the Epistle lessons this Advent, and have finally reached the easy part of Romans: “To God be the glory forever!”

What are you doing this week, liturgically? What can we do together? As the season continues toward the climax next weekend, what resources are you using? What prayers are you writing? What hymns are you singing? As we light the fourth candle, let’s create together!