Advent Surprise

God of shepherds, star and angel voices,

we confess that we haven’t given much thought

to the impossible. 

We are too busy living the

planned and the predictable.

 In our families, our vocations

and our social circles, we have

everything possible scheduled,

and there is little time or energy left

for anything else. 

We pray that you will find a way

to reach us in spite of our busyness—

that you’ll forgive our shortsightedness

and our unimaginativeness. 

In your abundant mercy,

surprise us again this year with

the gift of Immanuel—God with us.  Amen.

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Pregnant Advent

It’s too early to start a new year.

But the holy calendar

bids us turn a new leaf.

We wanted to finish the year

with a flourish, doing Christmas  up “right”.

The prophet’s call is to prepare anew-

to patiently wait until it is “the right time.”

Can we at least plan-

can we have a Cesarean Christmas?

We can only make preparations.

It is up to the Spirit to induce delivery.

Let us immerse ourselves in worship

that exposes us to spiritual nesting!

Advent's Call

As the sun's angle stretches and the winter chill deepens, 
we slide into darkness, and depression often hovers near.

Harvest has come and gone, and springtime's possibility
 seems a dream too distant for reasonable investment.

But we are operating on a calendar that defies logic; 
one that senses hope from a deeper place.

Let us trust the fire of your promise, O God; 
let us dare to dream the birth of your holy advent.

We will watch and prepare our hearts and our world 
for your nascent arrival, O God. 
We will celebrate your great adventure!

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Advent Confession

We confess, O Bethlehem babe,

that we are not only impatient for

your arrival, we are also not much interested

in having you grow up and speak

your prophetic deliverance to us,

because our ego and entitlement convince us

that we have done a pretty good job

of delivering ourselves.

In the quiet moments between our holiday busyness,

give us insight to recognize your holy day presence,

and the courage to follow you far beyond

the manger, to all the people and places where

we are both called to and capable of

fertilizing and watering your grace

with every fiber of our beings.

© 2012 Todd Jenkins

Thanksgiving Prayer

Tomorrow

Hope