The Manger and the Cross of Jesus Christ

Preparing for the First Sunday of Advent: One Day Before Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Psalter: Psalm 25:1-10

Old Testament: Nehemiah 9:26-31

Gospel: Luke 21:20-24

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Prayer

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Reflection

“For the great and powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger, and this even includes King Herod. For this is where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly. Here the rich come to nothing, because God is with the poor and hungry, but the rich and satisfied he sends away empty. Before Mary, the maid, before the manger of Christ, before God in lowliness, the powerful come to naught; they have no right, no hope; they are judged.”— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas.

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