Advent Devotional
This year’s St. Andrew Advent giveaway is a special weekly download featuring original prayers, scripture readings, and musical offerings reflective of the Advent season—all of which are read by members of the St. Andrew community. This weekly devotional will immerse you in the unique themes of Advent and prepare your heart and mind for the wonder and mystery of Christmas.
You can listen directly from the links below, or you can listen through the new St. Andrew app, where the episodes will automatically appear each Saturday.
Advent Week 4: Love
Introduction
Welcome Friends. This Advent devotional is an offering to accompany you throughout the season from the
community here at St. Andrew United Methodist Church. Advent is a season of anticipation, when in the
midst of darkness, we welcome the light of Christ. Each week, our devotional will focus on one of the four
themes of Advent- hope, peace, joy, and love. It is our prayer that these devotionals during Advent enrich
your journey of faith this season.
The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God as embodied in Christ Jesus. Known
as the “Angel’s Candle,” we light the fourth candle of Advent the Sunday before Christmas, leading us to
eagerly await the kindom of God on earth.
Now, let us center our hearts and minds as we enter into a time of prayer and meditation.
Preparation and Centering
Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (Ps. 104:33)
Advent Prayer 4th Sunday:
Loving God,It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East to warm and comfort my life and to bring new growth.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season my waiting, my patience, feels sacred.
Bless my heart with generosity and make me ready to receive you.
Come, Lord Jesus, Come! AMEN.
Psalter Reading
Psalm 89:1-4; Psalm 148:1-6
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to my servant David:
4 ‘I will establish your descendants forever
and build your throne for all generations.’ ” Selah
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
<Musical Response; Psalm 89; Response #1 & 2. Pg 807 United Methodist Hymnal >
Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness
on them light has shined.9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
9:7 His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his
kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and
forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
New Testament Reading
Luke 2:8-14 (Gloria in Excelsis)
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of
great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[b] the
Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[c] praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Ending Advent Prayer; by Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for
Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us,
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are you people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you, we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
AMEN
Benediction and Blessing
As you go about the daily rhythms of your life this day, Go in peace, trusting in the promise of Christ
embodied in the Christmas season. May God strengthen us to the end; Christ draw near to our very gates;
and the Holy Spirit awaken our spirits; until, with eager longing, we greet the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.