Tonight for our mid-week Advent service we will be holding "prayer around the manger." Based on the service of prayer around the cross, we will be having a simple service of silence, repeated refrains, and offering the week's headlines to God in prayer. Then we will gather around an empty manger to light candles, offer prayers and receive anointing for healing.
I don't know if Bethlehem has ever done a service like this before; it's possible they have. I do know that exactly a year ago, after my first interview with the call committee, this service was what I envisioned as I drove back home to Grand Forks. On that drive I had no idea what the future would hold. That reality still holds true. Yet, as we gather around the empty manger tonight, offering to God the empty places within ourselves, we remember that our emptiness is blessed. Our not knowing is blessed. Our waiting is blessed.
How I love Advent!
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1 comment:
What time is worship? I want to come. :)
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