Day One: Opening Prayer

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God, you chose to become one with us, to bless and redeem our humanity by the gift of becoming one with your creation. In this Advent Season, we remember that we are chosen and loved by you. As we sit in a season of waiting, may we see how you are already present. Draw near to us now.

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Day Two: The Town of Nazareth

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: In the northern regions of Israel sits a town filled with mud homes and a few stone buildings that meld into the surrounding countryside from a distance. The community is made up of families that sustain each other as farmers, herders, and craftspeople. In the town is a well that collects stories and secrets as easily as water, with the daily flow of residents to its stone walls for life. The town’s only great resource is the mutual care of the people, and so it lies mostly forgotten by the Jewish and Roman communities around them. This is Nazareth, the home of Mary and Joseph.

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Day Three: The Annunciation to Mary

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Luke 1: 26-38: In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by the angel’s words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth, in her old age, has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her, who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then, the angel departed from her.

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Day Four: Mary After the Annunciation

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: With a blinding flash of light, the angel leaves. Deafening silence envelops the small, dirt-floored room, and then slowly, the sounds of the town seep in under the door: animal cries, footsteps on the ground, the call of a child in the distance. A flood of emotions wash over her as she sits stunned at what she just heard.

As the days begin to pass, Mary feels no different, and fear begins to creep into her mind as she ponders the angel’s visit over and over again. Was that real? Was that truly from God? She is afraid to share this with anyone here. Who would believe her? Who would accept her? There is only one place that she feels she can be safe right now; even the angel’s words seem to point her there—her cousin Elizabeth. Her parents won’t be alarmed since she visits her cousin each year, and her wedding with Joseph isn’t for several months. She packs a few belongings and some food for the journey and sets out with the next southern caravan.

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Day Five: The Visitation of Mary

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Mary is surrounded by a crush of fellow travelers, but she journeys alone with her thoughts. She still has told no one about her vision. After days of travel, the house of her cousin comes into view. She can’t stop herself as she cries out, “Elizabeth!” and breaks into a run—too eager to see her to talk. Yet before she can even reach the threshold, Elizabeth comes into view, waddling toward her. They hug and cry, and a thread of knowingness suddenly passes between them. Elizabeth, who suffered ridicule for years for being barren, is now whispered about for her pregnancy in old age; Mary, fearful of the unknown and unsure how to possibly begin to explain her pregnancy to her parents and betrothed, knows it is only a matter of time before the rumors spread about her too. But for these women—at this moment—it’s not a time of answers but of being together.

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Day Six: The Magnificat

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Luke 1:46-55: And Mary said to Elizabeth, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

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Day Seven: Mary Returns to Nazareth

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: After a few months with Elizabeth and seeing John come into the world, Mary returns home. She’s just started to show, but her conversations with Elizabeth and Zachariah have given her courage. Still, not long after arriving in Nazareth, she hears a knock on the door. She opens it to find Joseph standing before her, flowers in hand and a beaming smile, ready to welcome her home. She tries to smile but can only look down and hold her stomach. As his eyes follow hers, his face falters. “I’m expecting,” is all she can get out before tears overwhelm them both. Silence grows until Joseph says in a choked voice, “Mary, how?” But he does not wait for the answer and leaves her.

As Joseph stumbles through the town, his thoughts race, “How could this have happened to her?” “Who did this to her?” Anger, sadness, hurt, rage, frustration, and pain swirl through his heart until, at last, at home, he shuts the door. Collapsing on the floor, his sadness overwhelms him, and he sobs. He mourns. He sits in darkness until he is asleep.

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Day Eight: The Annunciation to Joseph

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Matthew 1:19-23: Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

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Day Nine: Joseph After the Annunciation

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Joseph wakes the next morning, his heart suddenly full and unsure what from last night was the dream and what was real. But he remembers the angel’s words, “Be at peace, my son. This is the child of God, and I have chosen you to be his father while you are on this earth. Take Mary into your home. I will be with you. I will not abandon you.” He runs back to Mary.

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Day Ten: The Wedding of Mary and Joseph

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Rumors spread throughout the town since Mary returned from her cousin’s house, and people questioned Joseph’s decision to go through with the marriage. Mary has taken to getting water in the middle of the day to avoid the crowds and gossip.

On their wedding day, Mary wears loose clothing, but the attendees cannot overlook her swollen abdomen but the couple stands undeterred. Both of their parents are present and, to the town’s surprise, haven’t disowned their children. They do not understand. The last words of the ceremony are read, and as the couple holds hands and looks out, a deep silence washes over all those present. For those who could accept it, an overwhelming sense fills their hearts. A woman with a child out of wedlock, a husband who is not the father, somehow, this is a holy family.

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Day Eleven: The Decree of Caesar

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Luke 2:1-5: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was expecting a child.

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Day Twelve: Joseph and Mary on the Road

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Joseph has saddled up the donkey and helps Mary gingerly take her seat. It will be a long journey, and no other members of their families will journey with them to Bethlehem. They must go alone. But as they travel and talk with strangers on the way, they find the gift of anonymity refreshing. Outside of Nazareth, there are no staring eyes, no whispers of infidelity; they are merely fellow travelers. A new couple hopeful, excited, and nervous about their soon-to-be newborn. The couple talks to each other, wonders at these events, and travels in silence, pondering who this child might be.

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Day Thirteen: Mary and Joseph Arrive In Bethlehem

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: After many days, they arrive on the outskirts of Bethlehem, exhausted. It is too late to enter the city. Mary states she is too tired to try to find an inn, and they are afraid to try relatives in the city for fear of rejection. So, they sleep outside on the edge of town for one last evening, but Joseph stays awake long into the night as he wonders how this child could be God. How could this be good enough for God? But long before Joseph finds rest, in the early hours of the morning, Mary rolls over and tells Joseph she thinks she is in labor.  

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Day Fourteen: Joseph and Mary Search for an Inn

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: They wait until the first light to enter the city, a sense of panic rising up in Joseph. He knows they have time since this is her first child, but he can’t deny the shame that is welling up inside him that he doesn’t have a place for Mary and his child. It is slow going. Mary is uncomfortable on the donkey and awkward walking. The sun rises, the crowds swell, the pavement heats up, and Mary looks up at Joseph and says, “I have to get out of here.”

They finally make their way to a small inn a passerby told them about. Joseph feels desperate as he knocks on the door. Mary is wincing at another contraction; “They’re getting close,”he thinks, and he stoops down to hold her. A moment later, the door opens, and the innkeeper looks at them both with immediate understanding. And before Joseph can say a word, the innkeeper says, “Follow me.”

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Day Fifteen: Mary in Labor

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: The sun has just set, and Joseph is pacing outside to get out some of his energy. “A stable. A stable? A stable. That’s the best I can do?” Mary seems comfortable; the workers here have brought out blankets, water, and food, and there is a midwife who was fetched and is with Mary now. It’s quiet here; only a few animals are in the old barn. It smells mostly of hay and stone. It’s quiet, peaceful, but poor. He hears a groan rising from within and knows another contraction is starting. “Joseph, I need you,” Mary cries out. He takes a breath, “Elohim Shomri, keep them both safe,” and he goes to her.

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Day Sixteen: The Shepherds Keep Watch

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: It’s now late into the night, and out in the countryside, the only light is from the stars and a small campfire from a group of shepherds. For some reason, none of them feel like sleeping much tonight. The sheep are safe, stories have already been told, and the local gossip and politics have been thoroughly picked over, so the band of shepherds sit in silence as they watch the stars and the fire. There’s a flash like lightning that bolts across the sky, though there’s not a cloud in sight. Again, there’s a flash just before them, and suddenly, a great figure appears in their midst. It is blinding and fearsome to behold, but despite its sudden appearance, the sheep do not move, but the shepherds jump to their feet.

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Day Seventeen: The Annunciation to the Shepherds

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Luke 2:9-15: An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

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Day Eighteen: The Nativity

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Mary sits exhausted. Eyes closed, head leaning back against the blankets. Her hair sticks to her forehead, and the infant rests on her chest, his tiny fist peeking out from under the blanket, shrouding them both. Joseph lies cuddled close to them. One arm is around Mary, and the other hand is on the back of Jesus. There, they sleep. The workers check in on them from time to time, and a few of the more curious patrons try to approach, but the midwife keeps watch and lets the holy family sleep, even if it’s just for these few moments before the child wakes up again.

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Day Nineteen: The Visitation of the Shepherds

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Late into the night, the patter of many footsteps first wakes Joseph, and as he looks up, he sees one of the workers at the inn conversing with several strangers at the entrance to the stable. He carefully gets up to speak to them—shepherds, he discovers. “We’re here to see the Messiah,” they tell him urgently. They speak of blinding light, a great host of angels, and glorious songs surrounding them. There is wonder in their eyes, and Joseph’s heart is filled with awe as he ponders these things. “Let me ask Mary,” and he leaves them there.

But Jesus has already woken up Mary, and she is feeding him again. As Joseph recounts what the shepherds told him, Mary’s eyes fill with amazement. “They can visit in a moment,” she says. Then she wraps up Jesus, once again asleep. And for a few minutes, a small crowd fills the cave. Joseph, shepherds, and fellow travelers who’ve been curious about the child in the stable finally get a chance to sneak in. Joseph hears the word “Messiah” whispered as everyone looks on. For the first time in months, these whispers are not of gossip but of hope.

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Day Twenty: The Annunciation to the Magi

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Leader: Emanuel, God with us

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All: May we see your presence in the world

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Reading: Hundreds of miles away in a distant land, philosophers and astronomers see a star rising. They check their charts and read texts from the great oracles. “The stars speak of the birth of a great king. It is an invitation,” they say to one another. And soon, they set off. Unsure of where they are going with their only guide, a star that could fade as quickly as it appeared. This caravan of foreigners travels across many lands seeking hope, refuge, and the king. And they will find him. They will find a king in a child in a dirt-floored home.   

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Day Twenty One: Closing Prayer

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God, through the centuries, you have chosen to show up in the hidden and the unexpected. You draw near to our humanity and you are not afraid of our humanness, but gladly joined us on this earth because you delight in your people. May we delight in who we are and how you have created each and every one of us. May we see you ever present in our lives, may we trust in your providence, and may we come to a new understanding of the profound depths of your love for us. May we know that nothing  will separate us from your love. Emmanual—God with us—may we see your presence in this world.

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Photo by Niklas Ohlrogge (niamoh.de) on Unsplash