We are happy to invite contributions for our 2021 Advent Daily Devotional on the theme of Waiting & Watching from the members of our four Fredericksburg communities: the Episcopal-Lutheran Campus Ministry, St. George's Episcopal, Trinity Episcopal, and Christ Lutheran. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The contributions will be compiled into a digital PDF and printed spiralbound notebook of daily readings for reflection during the four weeks of Advent. The PDF will be shared through newsletter and social media through the congregations and the printed books will be available for pick-up (and donation!) in the church offices.
Contributions might take the form of written reflections of 250-350 words, or another medium that can be shared in a printed format: poetry, artwork, photography, or whatever suits you on the following prompt:
What was a time where you waited or watched? (And where was God in it?)
If the prompt isn't conducive to certain forms of media or children or for whatever reason to your creative process, here are some alternative prompts:
What does it feel like to wait or watch?
What does it look like to wait or watch?
Are you good at waiting? Are you good at watching?
What was a time where you noticed God (without expecting it)?
What are some places that you might wait or watch?
Draw a picture of somebody waiting or watching.
In order to submit your contribution, email it to missioner@thehousefxbg.org by Wednesday, Nov 17th and please include
your first name and last initial
which church you belong to (or the campus ministry)
Scripture Passages on the theme of Waiting & Watching for further reflection.
Psalm 27:13-14
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
1 Kings 19:11-13
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-11
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Mark 1:1-8
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;[a] the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
James 5:7-8
Be patient, therefore, beloved,[b] until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.