Questions for the readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Our readings for this fourth Sunday of Advent are:

1. 2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
2. Psalms 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
3. Romans 16: 25-27
4. Luke 1: 26-38

1. Promise of peace
• What have you done for God lately?
• Did that at all improve your relationship with God and others?
• Do you think that your relationship with God is about His action or your response?
2. God is faithful
• It is often said that we are a covenant people, that we are founded and formed by the promise of God.
• In your own words, how would you state that covenant?
• Would you stake your life on God keeping his end of the bargain?
3. Revelation
• Do you feel that the God has nothing more to reveal to us, or do you feel that process is ongoing, even today?
• If you feel that God is still revealing Himself, what do you think some of those revelations are of late?
• How are those revelations changing you?
4. Being full of grace
• You may recall the distinction between sanctifying (that which gives us eternal life in God) and actual grace (a movement within us initiated by God to strengthen our relationship to Him).
• What are some graces that you have experienced of late?
• What are some graces that you would like to experience?
• What would life be like if you were full of grace?
• How might you get to that state of grace repleteness?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I willing to let God take my relationship with Him wherever He wills?
2. What am I believing God for today?
3. What am I doing that I might hear God better?
4. How am I bringing Christ to earth this season?

Intimacy

Sometimes it's easy to try too hard.

Prayer becomes a project, 

Milestones and schedules

Deliverables and deadlines.

When all of the work has already been done.

Jesus has made Himself closer than I know.

And all that I have to do is reach out

And touch the Presence in my life.

Taking time each day to see that touch

Learn to be sensitive to the still small voice

Helps me learn gratitude, 

And fills me with awe

Awe that I too might be the feathery touch of the Divine

In someone else's life.

That makes all the difference

Between despair and hope.

Lord, in this season of arriving

Let me come to be your Presence

In all of the places I go

That I might be a fit stable for you to be born.

Maranatha!