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Preparing for Advent: Waiting in Gratitude

The season of Advent invites us into a posture of waiting. We wait expectantly for the arrival of Jesus, Emmanuel – God with us.

There is no doubt that most of this year has felt like one long season of waiting. This year, with its constant chatter of change, division, turmoil, and transition, has kept us waiting in ways that have drastically altered our way of being in the world. And so, we continue to wait. 

Yet, we continue to wait in new, unique, and unexpected ways.

So, as we prepare for this particular season of Advent, what posture of waiting are we being invited to take in 2020? What if our invitation is a posture of gratitude?

How might we wait in gratitude?

  • What are you feeling especially grateful for this year?

  • Who are you feeling especially grateful for this year?

  • How might you express your gratitude?

It is our hope that our waiting will be guided and grounded in this gratitude throughout the Advent season. As such, over the next four weeks, as we wait in gratitude, each Friday we will be posting a weekly devotion around the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The devotions will include a brief exploration of each Advent theme, an at-home exercise, and a prayer.

At-Home Exercise: Wall of Gratitude

Over the next week, using post-it notes, create a wall of gratitude. Choose a wall in your home and keep a stack of post-it notes and a pen/pencil nearby so that your notes of gratitude can be added as you feel led. On the post-it note, write a prayer, a person’s name, words, and/or phrases that express gratitude. Post it on the wall. Then, throughout the week, take pictures of the post-it notes and tag us on Instagram - @secondyouthindy

Prayer

God of Flesh. Emmanuel. God with us. We are waiting. We are grateful. Amen.


 


 

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