Advent Challenge: The Way of Love

Do you like a challenge?  Are you ready to grow spiritually? Advent, like Lent, is a season of preparation.  In Advent we prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our lives each day, at Christmas over 2000 years ago, and at the end of time.  This year at St. Columba’s we are each encouraged to adopt some spiritual practices collectively called The Way of Love. 

The Advent Challenge for 2019 involves committing to one of the practices in the Way of Love each week.  The first week you will be asked to take 10 minutes each day to answer three short questions about your day and to spend an additional few minutes at the end of the week to review your answers.  The second week you will be asked to read a short portion of scripture each day.  The third week you will be asked to pray a different prayer from the Book of Common Prayer each day.  The final week emphasizes worship and you’ll be asked to commit to attending Sunday worship every week in Advent (at either 8:00 or 10:00), one Wednesday evening service at 6:30 on Dec. 4, 11, or 18, and either the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. 

I know that this is a busy time of year and this “challenge” is designed to be respectful of your time – requiring less than half an hour each day.  So, what do you say, do you accept the challenge?

Advent 3 & 4: Dec. 15 to Dec. 21

Pray: Read a prayer from the BCP each day.  After you’ve read the assigned prayer, spend a few minutes praying for those people and situations that are weighing on your heart. 

Sunday Dec 15:  BCP p. 212 Collect for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent

Monday Dec 16: BCP p. 134 “Keep watch, dear Lord, ...”

Tuesday Dec 17: BCP p. p.133 “Be present, O merciful God,...”

Wednesday Dec. 18: BCP p. 100 A Collect for Guidance

Thursday Dec. 19: BCP p. 461 In the Morning

Friday Dec 20: BCP p. 836 A General Thanksgiving

Saturday Dec 21: BCP p. 184 Proper 28

At the end of the week think back to your daily prayer time.  Was there any prayer that particularly appealed to you?  Consider memorizing it and/or making it a habit to pray it each day.

Worship: Commit to attending Sunday worship each week in Advent, attend one Wednesday evening worship during Advent, participate in the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship.