Light a Candle

Read Liturgy Out Loud

As my life is lived in anticipation

of the redemption of all things,

so let my slow movement..

be to my own heart

a living parable and a teachable moment.

Do not waste even my petty irritations, O Lord.

Use them to expose my sin and selfishness

     and to reshape my vision

     and my desire into better, holier things.

Decrease my unrighteous impatience,

directed at circumstances and people.

Increase instead my righteous longing

for the moment of your return,

when all creation will be liberated

from every futility in which it now languishes.

Be present in my waiting, O Lord,

that I might also be present in it

as a Christ-bearer to those before

    and behind me,

       who also wait.

As I am a vessel,

let me not be like a sodden paper cup

full of streaming frustration, carelessly

sloshing unpleasantness on those around me.

Rather let me be like a communion chalice,

reflecting the silvered beauty of your light,

brimming with an offered grace.

Amen. (Every Moment Holy)

Begin with Prayer 

Gather together. Invite someone to pray over the group. Pray for the ability to slow down in this busy season 

Debrief the most recent teaching

• What impacted you the most about the teaching this week? 
• What part of Joseph’s story do you see yourself?

Read

Invite someone to read the story of Christmas out loud– Luke 1v26-2v40

Listen

Why Does God Have to Look So Human? – Waterdeep

We move through life with big expectations of how things should be. We have a plan and we stick to it. Quickly becoming disappointed when life goes off track. 

Discussion

• What sticks out as we read the Christmas story?
• What expectations have you had for your life? Have those panned out? How do you feel about those now?
• What expectations are you carrying now? What expectations do you feel God inviting you to release?
• Do you find it hard to surrender to God’s plan? Is it easy or hard for you to see God’s plan?