Almighty God unto whom all hearts and minds are open and from whom nothing is hidden, thank you for for all things great and small.  You are marvelous and gracious, slow to anger and quick to forgive and nurture. Thank you for joy and peace. But most of all, thank you for Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the Christian faith!!!

Amen.

Passages for meditation during the third week of Advent

1. “…Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)
2. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening…” (Psalm 92:1-2)
3. “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
4. “Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.…” (Psalm 145:2-4)
5. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)
6. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
7. “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)