Following the Star

Pause

In the midst of darkness we wait for you, O God.

You alone are our light and our hope.

Listen

You look after those who gladly do right; they will praise you for your ways. But you were angry when we sinned; you hid yourself when we did wrong.

But now, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand. Don’t rage so fiercely, Lord; don’t hold our sins against us forever, but gaze now on your people, all of us.

Isaiah 64:5, 8-9

Think

As humans, we must be willing to confess that we contribute to the pain and suffering in the world. Even though we ourselves may be in pain and suffering, intentionally or unintentionally we do the same to others.

Our sins may feel too big to us, but they’re not too big for God. God’s face is turned towards us. God gazes at me with deep love. God gazes at you with deep love. God gazes at every one of us and all of creation with deep, deep, deep love because we are the work of God’s hands.

This first week of Advent we have waited for God. We have searched for small signs of God’s presence. We have faced the darkness of our lives and the darkness of the world and experienced healing and new life. We have turned towards God’s face shining brightly and the hope that Jesus provides. How will you carry God’s hope with you through the rest of this Advent season?

Erendira Jimenez

Pray

O God of Hope, I confess that I have sinned against you and against the people in my life. Heal me. Bring me to wholeness and new life. I am grateful for your gaze of love today and always. Amen.

Go

May God’s face shine upon you.

May God’s hope bring you wholeness.

And may you walk this day towards the light of a small star.