Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

December 3, 2023

— Advent • Week 1 • First Sunday of Advent

Invitation Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 25:1-7

In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.

I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.

Bible Reading Jeremiah 33:14-16

"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

"'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.

In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.'"

Quiet

Dwelling

Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.

Free Prayer

  • for fellowship with the coming Jesus
  • for spiritual renewal and refreshment

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer HC 5 & 8

Living God, I confess the slant of my heart to hate you and my neighbor. But that sounds so harsh — I'm not that bad, am I God? Yet if I am brutally honest I see that I'm in deeper than I dare admit, unless I am born again by your Spirit. Fill me with the greater hope this Advent season that in Christ's love I am on my way to new life. In the Savior's name, amen.

Blessing Revelation 22:20-21

"Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people."