I downloaded this awesome Advent application last year on my iPhone called simply, Advent ’08. It’s a collection of daily readings, prayers, and hymns that correspond to the liturgical reading cycle for the Advent season. One of the things I loved so much about the application last year was the historic christian art that was used with each daily reading and the deep, rich devotional quality to the readings/prayers.
This year, the author/editor of this wonderful compilation is not releasing Advent ’09 as an iphone application but is posting daily advent readings on this advent blog. I think you’ll enjoy it completely. I’ve been reading version ’08 to my kids and then reading the ’09 version on my own.
Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of sobriety in the face of His return. The rhythm of American life, especially in the holiday season, seldom leaves time for adequate preparation. Adequate, however, does not imply the amount of time spent, as much as it refers to focus and attention. It is more than just a way to count down the days to Christmas; it is a way to help transform Advent into a journey of faith. It is a way to help prepare for the coming of Jesus to live among us, so that the good news of Christmas morn lingers on long after the packages are opened. It is our hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead you through the Scriptures to a newfound wonder of Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. May the Lord bless you on your journey.
God of Love, You made Your home among us. By faith we believe in You and in baptism we have received You and from Your hand we have received grace upon grace. Grant us, by that same grace, Your truth to dwell within our hearts that we may live in Your peace, not as the world understands, but that peace which only You can give. This we are bold to pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
O Lord hear my prayer.
And let my cry come to You.
Lord God of heaven and earth who alone is worthy to judge all peoples according to their deeds, have mercy upon us for Christ’s sake! We cannot attain to the standard of Your righteousness as You have revealed it to us in Your Law and through the mouths of Your Prophets. Merciful God hide us beneath the banner of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ and by His blood wash us so that we may be whiter than snow and cleansed from all unrighteousness. Merciful Father You delayed Your final judgement of our sin until in the fullness of Your time our Lord was revealed. According to Your steadfast love towards us You placed the burden of our guilt upon the shoulder’s of Your Son, so that having warned us of the judgment yet to come You have called us not fulfill the requirements of the law ourselves, but to trust in Your Son who has done so on our behalf. For His sake preserve until You yet again bring time to completion and send Your holy angels out to gather the last harvest. Father, You have grafted us onto the Vine, continue to change our hearts we pray, by making us ever new after the fashion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One Holy God, both in this world and the one that is to come. Amen.
I can't read your blog without a big audible sigh and thinking, "She is so dear!" I love your blog, your thoughts, and insights. Thanks.
These are wonderful and the art work is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing! P.S. I left you a little blog award over on mine!
Julianna above commented my sentiments perfectly. I always pour a cup of joe before sitting down to read your blog ~ love coming by for a visit! Thank you for sharing; the art is divine, and the readings are a daily dose of blessing.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful Advent tool with us. I will be including it in our morning devotions.
Ruth
Yes, I agree, you never cease to amaze me. I'm going to check out those advent resources now. Thanks for sharing!
~Jenn
Just lovely!
Thanks for the inspiration Edie!
By the way…
My sister (she live in Montgomery) and I (the Northwest) adore your post on MAKEUP!!!!
Fabulous!
The video…well it is just oh so lovely!
I adore your blog!
XXOOXX
Edie, Thank you for this. I was putting little goodies into the Advent Calendar I bought last year and I was thinking to myself, "I should really find out what Advent is?" Ha. God used you to tell me this Truth. Thanks and Hugs to you!!
The advent messages are so beautiful. Thank you for passing them on.
Wow Edie, this really puts my silly little countdown to shame! 🙂 But thanks for sharing such a beautiful and meaningful resource….and for pointing us back to the "Christ" in Christmas- Alsways a good reminder.
Edie,
I must say you always make me curious about Lutheranism! I am the proud new owner of an iphone so I'm going to put this on mine! I hadn't had a cell in 9 yrs and my hubby was sick and tired of not being able to get ahold of me. 🙂
I will say there is something to be said for having that freedom of no one even being able to leave a message, but I digress!!!!
Anyway, thank you for your awesome blog, it's always inspirational to me, no matter what the topic is 🙂
Kristi