A Quiet ChamberKept for Thee

Daily Prayers for Advent

Michelle Van Loon

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A Quiet ChamberKept for Thee

Daily Prayers for AdventMichelle Van LoonCrea

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Introduction

Be still, and know that I am God.– Psalm 46:10

At a time of year when the “urgent” threatens to crowd out the truly important, Advent offers us a way to reclaim what matters most. Written nearly five hundred years ago, the hymn “Ah, Dearest Jesus” gives simple voice to our longings for peace, wonder, comfort and contentment. As you journey through Advent this year, may these readings and prayers help you focus on what matters most, and may you prepare him room in the quiet chambers of your own heart.

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Sunday, the First Week of Advent

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

– Psalm 29:11

O Lord, when I read the headlines, there are lots of days when I am overwhelmed by the pain and problems of this hurting world. Whether it is a cri-sis half a world away or a crime that took place in my own neighborhood, there are many days when bad news mutes my hope and amplifies my anxiet-ies. Please help me to discover in the coming days of this holy season that there is no other source for true peace except you. In the name of the One who is our peace. Amen.

First Week of Advent Longing for Peace

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Monday, the First Week of Advent

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

– Ecclesiastes 3:11

Heavenly Father, your Word proclaims the truth that you’ve placed eternity in each human heart like a compass pointing toward you. So many temporary things seem to spin that compass needle around this way and that. Sometimes I lose my bearings and become disoriented. At this time of year, there are many “to do’s” sending me running in a dozen different busy-busy directions. The wise men followed the star straight and true like a com-pass toward Bethlehem. Please guide me toward you through the temptations to be distracted in this season. Amen.

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Tuesday, the First Week of Advent

And he will be our peace … – Micah 5:5a

God of Peace, when I read the words of the proph-ets who spoke and wrote hundreds of years before Jesus was born, I remember that many of these faithful voices had the difficult, lonely task of speaking hard truths to people who didn’t always want to hear what you had to say to them. Your prophets, and those who heeded their words, dis-covered true peace as they responded in obedience to you. This day, O God of Peace, help me to take a single fresh step of obedience to you. Amen.

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Wednesday, the First Week of Advent

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compas-sion on you.

– Isaiah 54:10

Compassionate Father, when your messenger told a young virgin named Mary that she was going to bear a child who would fulfill your ancient promise of a coming king who would bring restoration and healing to the whole world, this stunning an-nouncement completely changed the trajectory of her quiet life tucked away in a village in the north of Israel. I am struck by her ready, willing response to your divine disruption: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Her peace wasn’t found in the security of her quiet life, but in her yes to you. May my life be a ready yes to you today, Lord. Amen.

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A Quiet ChamberKept for TheeDaily Prayers for Advent

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for thee.

Take some time each day throughout Advent to ponder what matters most. This booklet of 28 lovely two-minute prayers and readings by Michelle Van Loon is designed to offer you

a few quiet moments with the Holy Child to discover anew the peace, comfort, wonder and

contentment of his birth.

By Michelle Van Loon. Design by Jamie Wyatt, Art by Danilo Ducak/shutterstock. © 2014 Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. (800) 325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. ML4

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