Day of the Lord: Advent Daybook, 5

Take a few deep breaths, settle your body, mind, and heart into a quiet space and let’s begin with prayer.

Opening prayer: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus and more like the true self you’ve created as I savor your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Look: Angel of the Revelation, Vladimir Suchanek - Source

Listen: Behold the Mountain of the Lord, Godfrey Birtill - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube

Read: Psalm 18; Isaiah 2:12-22; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13; Luke 20:27-40

Excerpts:

"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and reeled because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering around him, his canopy thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him there broke through his clouds hailstones and coals of fire. The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them."

*

"For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; against all the high mountains and against all the lofty hills; against every high tower and against every fortified wall; against all the ships of Tarshish and against all the highly prized vessels. The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The idols shall utterly pass away. Enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from the terror of the Lord and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth"

*

"Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.”

- Psalm 12:5-6; Psalm 14:5-7; Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSVUE)

Pray: Psalm 18:17-19

He delivered me from my strong enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too mighty for me.

They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

but the Lord was my support.

He brought me out into a broad place;

he delivered me because he delighted in me.

What comes to mind as you pray these verses? What emotions stir? Tell God what you are thankful for today, and then listen to God's reply. Take this practice of prayerful gratitude with you throughout the day and week.

Do: Choose an entire Psalm or a portion of a Psalm from one of the daily readings to memorize during Advent.

Spend a few moments each day memorizing and reciting the Psalm. Notice how the verses begin to embed themselves as you go about your day. Thank God for the comfort of His word.

*Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary. Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 1).

Playlists for Advent

  • Because there are so many gorgeous songs about the Annunciation, I've created a special playlist for that theme: ANNUNCIATION.

  • Of the hundreds of playlists I've created on Spotify, this one has the most likes (over 1,600!): ADVENT INSTRUMENTAL.

Listen to Advent daybook 2022 playlist here
See All Meditations from Advent Daybook 2022 here
AdventTamara Hill MurphyAdvent Daybook 2022