Today is Saturday, 2nd of December,
one day before the first Sunday of Advent.

We’ll prepare our hearts for this season of holy anticipation by praying the words of Henri Nouwen. You can repeat each line after me…


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 your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!' Amen.


Our examen today is mean to help you pause, and to re-orient yourself yet again to the Truth of the Gospel. Our lives are full, and fast, and scattered. For a moment today can you quiet yourself?
Take a deep breath.
Welcome God’s presence, and say, “Come Holy Spirit”!

This past year, we have taken time each Saturday to look back at our weeks for signs of God’s presence and grace, and to look ahead at our weeks to prepare our hearts to meet Christ in the people and places we are near to. Today… we’ll look back over the past month. The holiday season can be a joy-filled time, but it is also often a lonely time, a time where we feel the void of things we’ve lost, or things we feel we’ve missed. Consider the state of your heart today. Do you feel full? Alone? Scattered? Tired? Expectant? Keep your breath slow and deliberate, and reflect on any areas of challenge or pain from this past month. Bring whatever comes up to the Lord.

Next… remember with me that scripture points to the coming of Christ as a light that is not overwhelmed by the darkness. As Nouwen prayed, out of scripture: we are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light… Turn your attention to the times this past month you’ve felt God’s presence. Where have you experienced the light of His grace, or guidance, or sustaining power? Do the work of slowly remembering one scene from this month where you’ve felt gratitude to God. Remember, and give thanks.

Finally… focus your attention to this coming season of Advent, which begins tomorrow.
Take a deep breath. Ask God to give you eyes to see Him this advent. Offer to Him any distractions you anticipate in this season of faith, hope, peace, and love. Pray for those you love, by name…

Thorough our Advent Examens, we’ll pray a brief prayer, out loud, together. I’d invite you to pray it over the course of your day…. By yourself, with a small group, with a child, with family, or by yourself along with me now. The prayer is the first line of a hymn written by Charles Wesley, and I’ll introduce it to you now. I’d encourage you write this line out, and place it somewhere where you’ll notice it daily:

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

As we end this time of examen, our reading is from Isaiah, chapter 9. These are the words of the Lord, thanks be to God:

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
 You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.


Amen.

Music Credit:
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" - Heaven and Earth (YouTube)