Welcome! As you set aside time each day for Advent prayer we invite you to use this approach, which works well for individuals and groups of all ages.

Light a candle. Pause to remember the presence of God filling you with Light and Love.

Pray this Opening Prayer:

Radiant Creator, awaken me to your presence.
Jesus, Light of all Lights, kindle love in my heart.
Spirit of Illumination, guide my path today.

Advent Reflection for the Day

Exhorting them in many other ways, [John the Baptist] preached good news to the people. Luke 3:18

We’ve mentioned that Jesus’s cousin, John the Baptist, is an Advent figure. John went before Jesus, preparing the way for people to understand and receive the message of salvation. John was a shining lamp, a burning fire of committed passion. He seemed spiritually confident that Jesus was the Messiah. But one day, the light in his soul began to flicker. Matthew tells us that when John was put in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)

It’s heartbreaking to imagine John’s discouragement. This life that was once on fire is now doubting his beliefs. It’s understandable. Something in John’s life had changed. He was in prison and no longer in charge of his life– no longer able to feel the energy of being on-mission. His creative talent for preaching and spiritual exhortation was no longer in play. He probably felt he had failed, or worse, that he was a misguided fool.

I know the feeling! Although I’ve never done time in prison, I have felt the oil of faith disappear when things don’t go the way I expected. This happens when loved ones die or get sick, when my schedule becomes overwhelming, when people are unhappy with me and when I despair about the condition of the world.

Is it easy for you to be alive with faith when things are going well; and more difficult when things are hard? When life is tanking it is very hard to be a radiant lamp of faith.

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Set your intention for the day. Say: Today I will refill the oil in my inner lamp by seeking more trust in God and letting go of discouragement.

Pray this Closing Prayer:

Jesus, you are the Everlasting Light.
Help me to bring your love everywhere I go.
Fill me with Light this Advent 
that all my life will reflect you.
Shine through me so that that everyone I meet today
would feel your presence in my spirit. 
Let them look and see, not just me, but you,
Light of all Lights, Shining through me. Amen

As you blow out the candle and the flame vanishes, remember you have divine light within you that will never go out. You take the light of Christ with you wherever you are.

Together on the Journey,

Katie Martinez