The song Breath of Heaven is co-written by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant. It has a beautiful melody and wonderful lyrics including “Breath of Heaven be forever near me…”

As this songfacts webpage describes:

“This Christmas song tells the nativity story from Mary’s perspective. It portrays the mother of Jesus as a frightened young girl, attempting to deal with the circumstances of giving birth to the Holy Father’s Son. Despite her human doubts, Mary’s faith in the goodness and mercy of God remain and help her deal with the unique situation she finds herself in.”

Embedded in this songfacts webpage is a chance to hear Amy Grant performing this song (near the right margin as a YouTube offering.) You can also hear it on our Christian Playbook YouTube channel with various Christmas songs HERE

As we enjoy this Advent season, may we continue to hear songs old and new with the wonder and joy of the Christian faith!

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

PRAYER: Choose a prayer prompt from Bob Hostetler’s blog list HERE? Maybe #13 – give thanks for your favorite Christmas movie (one of these?)

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 13, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 
    • Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24  
    • John 1:6-8, 19-28

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Focusing our conversations with God on specific local and global topics can help ground us on “the reason for the season.” The prayer prompts posting HERE by Bob Hostetler provide 20 conversation thoughts. Printing these and placing them in a good spot will work for some while others may take Bob’s encouragement to create our own.

Whatever you do along these lines…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit and perhaps a little extra “conversation starter!”

PRAYER: Dear Creator, helps us focus this day on Christ-like living. May our thoughts and actions become in solid alignment with you through prayer and focus on Christ’s example on earth. As Henry Van Dyke previously prayed**, help us “close the doors of hate and open the doors of love” this Christmas season. Amen

** Prayer Prompt #2 on Bob’s list HERE

P.S. Bob Hostetler is the top blogger for Guideposts and it’s easy to see why. Bob creates some wonderful lists

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 13, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 
    • Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24  
    • John 1:6-8, 19-28

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Midway down THIS WEBPAGE is a Prayer for Peace on this second Sunday in Advent (makes one consider reading more in A Prayer for Peace & Joy at Christmas by Rebecca Barlow Jordan)

Enjoy this second Sunday in Advent, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 6, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 40:1-11 
    • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 
    • 2 Peter 3:8-15a  
    • Mark 1:1-8

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This reflection (HERE) was written in 2014 so some of the historical events have to be taken in that context. The reference to our CP song of the day is embedded in these words from that commentary:

And what about us? Have we recognised Jesus as good news and accepted his authority over us? Have we forgotten the goodness of the good news? And how can we embody something of it for others?

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) weaved this prayer into his hymn ‘Come thou long-expected Jesus’: Born Your people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Your gracious kingdom bring. By Your own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Your all sufficient merit, raise us to Your glorious throne. Amen.

Want to hear this song in full? Check out one rendition HERE.

Born to reign in us forever.   May it be so.

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 6, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 40:1-11 
    • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 
    • 2 Peter 3:8-15a  
    • Mark 1:1-8

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For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (King James Version)

You have turned on my light! The Lord my God has made my darkness turn to light. (The Living Bible)

Suddenly, God, you floodlight my life; I’m blazing with glory, God’s glory! (The Message)

The versions of Psalm 18:28 above share three light sources with the same result – God moving us from the darkness.

There are those candle moments. It’s very dark. Perhaps prayer and faith are harder to summon? Lighting the candle allows for sight to slowly come back into focus, providing space and time for our eyes to get accustomed to being able to see again.

Ever have that sensation of being fully in the dark – eyes open – and then suddenly the light switch is turned on without your knowing it?     WHAT A SHOCK!    Sometimes, decisions that seem light-induced initially are astoundingly more complicated, dark and nasty as exposure to new bright light shows.

And for those who have ever taken a shot at performing on stage, the spotlight/floodlight can be very disconcerting. It’s hard to see anything EXCEPT light. With light representing God, wouldn’t it be nice to be so surrounded in light that all else around us was out of focus and we could be bathed in that caring, loving presence? Some of our “thin-place” moments can almost feel that way…

So, as we continue in this Advent season, let’s enjoy the light – candle, electric light switch or flood/spot. May the light sources of wreath, luminary, room, stage, etc. offer just the right illumination of God in your life!

LET’S PRAY: God, emblazon and embolden us with the Spirit. As the song This Little Light of Mine song suggests, help us share your light with all around us… Amen!

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 6, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 40:1-11 
    • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 
    • 2 Peter 3:8-15a  
    • Mark 1:1-8

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In-Stitches, a small group ministry of Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati makes “crafty items” for various causes, sharing their Christian love. Ordinarily by now they  (along with the Presbyterian Women) would have offered beautiful items for purchase by the MWPC community as part of the Alternative Gift Fair (NOTE: the Covid-19 pandemic made the 2020 gift fair impossible though we’ll hope for an opportunity next year.)

In-Stitches folks have also blessed our community by making Pocket Prayer Shawls (PPS.) Those receiving PPS share incredible joy for these wonderful reminders of God’s love. You can read – and hear – a little more about Pocket Prayer Shawls HERE.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS:

1. There are many ways we can show love. Consider one of the “sharing love” ideas listed on the Christian Playbook HERE;
2. Seek out people in your sphere who are sharing their crafty-ness and spend a minute to thank them;
3. Be especially aware of love-sharing by others during your day. How can you be expressive in your thanks for their sharing?

May the gifts we share (and make, receive, …) give a little glimpse of Christian love, especially during this Advent season.

Enjoy the day filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 6, 2020:

• • • Isaiah 40:1-11 
    • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 
    • 2 Peter 3:8-15a  
    • Mark 1:1-8

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