Sunday: Rest

With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God?  Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are?  Being comes before doing.  This is a call to put first things first.  Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion.  Set aside this time as a sanctuary.  Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern. 
 
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  
 
Invitation Prayer
If you have an advent wreath, light the first two candles and pray:
 Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Teach us to make peace with our words, with our hands, for our own place and all places. Amen.
 
Word: Isaiah 9:6-7
"For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to His rule and His peace, upon the throne of David and over his nation. He will build it to last and keep it strong with what is right and fair and good from that time and forever. The work of the Lord of All will do this."

Meditation
Think of a time you were decorating a Christmas tree.  Stepping over strands of lights, boxes, and ornaments.  And then . . . crunch.  You destroy an ornament.  Cracked bits poke into your foot.
 
 Life is like this right now.  In pieces.  Fractured.  Broken.  Shattered.  We are in a season of darkness right now.  And I hear the refrain from people, “I just want some peace.”  But all we see are “pieces.”  Here’s a question to ponder:  What is something in your life that is in pieces? 
 
 I was walking down the street the other night.  Most everyone is home.  Not out shopping.  There are no parties or concerts.  I walked by a house and heard screaming and yelling.  “Why can’t you just . . .”  “You are such a . . .”   A lot is happening behind closed doors.  Impatience.  Yelling.  Violence, abuse, addiction.  Things we’ll never see.  “I just want some peace.”
 
In Isaiah chapter 9, the coming Messiah was given the title “Prince of Peace.”  We now know the identity of this prince, Jesus of Nazareth.  In a world of pieces, he brings healing.  Forgiveness.  Hope.  Here is the mystery of the biblical peace process:  It hasn’t come by a treaty or by negotiation.  Peace has come in a Person.  

Prayer for Rest
 
·        For physical, mental, and emotional health.
·        For times of joy, delight, and leisure.
·        For a Sabbath day free from work, tasks, and stress.
·        For a holy time of worship.
 
Closing Prayer (from Rich Mullens, "Hold Me Jesus")
Hold me, Jesus.  I’m shaking like a leaf.  You have been King of my Glory.  Won’t you be my Prince of Peace?  Have mercy on me.  Amen.   

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome. 
Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Teach us to make peace with our words, with our hands, for our own place and all places. Amen.