Advent Gifts

Lord Jesus,
at this time of year
I'm often thinking about
shopping and buying Christmas gifts.
But this year I am pondering Advent gifts.
Not gifts to buy,
but gifts to receive.

The four Sundays of Advent
follow a pattern:
Hope,
Peace,
Joy, and
Love.

Year after year
we light Advent Candles,
sharing words,
say prayers,
hear stories from scripture,
that reveal these four themes.

But this year
I noticed these four --
Hope,
Peace,
Joy, and
Love
-- are gifts you gift to us
by the Power of the Holy Spirit
in and through the Christ of Christmas.
He is our Hope.
He is the Price of Peace.
He is the Source and Cause of our Joy!
He is Your self-giving Love embodied.

I do wonder what's wrapped
in the packages under the Christmas Tree...
But this year
help me unwrap the gifts of Advent.
Help me unwrap Hope,
not only for myself but for the world.
Help me open up Peace
in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Help me unbox Joy
the unabashed Joy of knowing you
and sharing your Joy with others.
Help me enjoy Love
your unconditional never failing love for me
and for the WHOLE world.

Lord Jesus,
these are the gifts I want most this year.
Amen.