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6 Beautiful Christmas Blessings & Advent Prayer
My Advent Prayers for You
We all have fond memories of Christmases when we were little, don’t we? I remember this time of year as being full of happy memories — the lighted candles on the Advent wreath, decorating our live Christmas tree with my favorite ornaments.
My Mother supervising the placement of each ornament, light, and tinsel; and we would always sing “O Christmas Tree” while enjoying hot chocolate and homemade cookies once we were finished.
Our Advent wreath consisted of pine branches and five candles — three purple, one pink and the white one right in the middle that symbolized Jesus.
It was fun as a little girl to light the Advent candles before dinner and to live in expectation of Christmas. Stories of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem, then having no room at the Inn; the Angels appearing to the lowly shepherds, while Herod plotted to save his throne and to destroy the baby Jesus by slaughtering every boy under two years of age. So much danger and yet God’s plan was executed perfectly.
I was thinking about the deeper meaning of what these candles represent to us. Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace, and Jesus, the Light of the World. Here are my Christmas wishes and advent prayer for you based on the themes of Advent.
Christmas Blessings for Hope
Hope
Some people are struggling to hold on to their hope this season because their lives are really tough right now. May you always be filled with God’s hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV, it says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
An Advent Prayer of Faith
Faith
Faith may be a much more powerful word than we realize. May you ask and receive from God this Christmas.
In Mark 11:24 ESV, it says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
An Advent Prayer About Joy
Joy
May the joy of Christ be yours this Christmas and never leave you.
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” says Luke 2:10-11 ESV.
My Advent Prayer for Your Peace
Peace
May God’s peace be yours and guide every decision you make.
Philippians 4:7 ESV says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus, the Light of the World
Each one of us has experienced this in different ways. In my life, His light has flooded my soul giving me a new identity.
All things have truly been made new for me and although I’m very grateful, I know God isn’t finished with me yet. In John 8:12 ESV, it is written, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
May you abound in hope; believe and receive; have peace and joy; and may Jesus be the light that glows from your eyes this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas!
Waiting Out the Storm: A Lesson in Prayer and Patience
In the storm, the wind rages around me. I cling to His grace.
I come face-to-face with my addictive personality and my controlling nature. I see loud and clear my need to fix things and offer the right answer.
In this moment, I am powerless.
That is always where God needs me to be. . .I just forget sometimes and think that somehow I am running the show. I mistakenly believe that I have a handle on things.
The word for right now is grace.
What does that mean to me? It means that no matter how many times I fall on my face, God still loves me. It means that He already knows that answer. It means that it is not about how I look, how much I accomplish, or what I do. It is not about works. It is not about how much I earn. It is not about my title or my website or my success. It is also not about my failures.
I am waiting. I am in the midst of a very painful life lesson. All I can do is pray. Prayer is the answer. It is my guide. I have done everything else that I can do right now.
I must sit in the discomfort and feel my feelings. I lean into God. I type my prayers, speak my prayers, get on my knees. I pour my prayers out onto this iPad right now.
The waiting feels endless.
I am not good at waiting. I am in the midst of one of the most painful few weeks of waiting that I have ever experienced. I messed up big time. I am praying for mercy. . .for a pass. I am leaning into God for grace.
I am praying for peace, but I am not feeling peaceful. I am seeking answers and resolution. I want to run away from this feeling, but the truth is that I cannot. No amount of booze would wash it down. No amount of food can take it away. I still feel it in my gut, and I still must wait.
Pain is not pretty. It feels like a knife in my gut. A twisting slow turn of the knife. Facing myself over the past days has been a challenge. I want to escape from me. I want to have someone to blame.
Have I learned my lesson? I sure hope so. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I am praying that no matter what it is, I will be strong enough to walk through it. I am praying that God will walk it with me “one day at a time.” I am praying for grace and the willingness to surrender my agenda.
I have never been in a situation like the one I am in right now. I have never prayed what I am praying right now.
Dear God, you know what I am praying. You know the answer I want and the current circumstances. You know my feelings and my lack of feelings. You know my heart’s desire and how long I have waited. You know where I am and where I am going. You know my deep aches and secret tears.
I pray for forgiveness and mercy. I pray for wisdom and grace. I pray for Your will to be done.
I ask for your help.
I am yours.
Diane Cunningham is the Founder and President of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs. She is a “business therapist,” plane crash survivor, author, consultant, speaker, marathon runner, and fun friend. Find out more about NACWE and why 165 women joined in the first year at www.NACWE.org. Connect with Diane at her Facebook page for fun updates, silly videos, and lively conversation.