I think that it is hard for people in the United States to understand the connectedness between a nation and its gods and goddesses because of our Church and state separation. Add to the fact that most of believe, even if we are of different religions, believe in the same God today where in the time of the Old and New Testament that was not the case. I think that it would be safe to say that when the nation of Israel went into battle they believe that their God (Yahweh) and His army went into battle against the gods and heavenly armies of the nation they were fighting and if Yahweh one then that mean He defeated the other gods. Surprisingly though if the nation of Israel lost they did not look at as if their God had been defeated but rather that He let the other side win in order to punish and teach Israel a lesson.
I do not think that most people living in our times, appreciates light as much as we could. All most of us has to do is flip a switch and not even a second later we have light to see and to protect us. This was not the case in Biblical times. One depended upon the dawn to provide light and also in some sense protection from those who would use the darkness to cover their crime. Perpetual light means perpetual safety and clear vision.
No matter what separates us from one another, economic status, social status, ethnicity, or nationality there is something greater that unites us. We all have one God as our creator. The more that we focus on this fact the more unity in the world there will be. This is part of the reason why the Church is so important to the world. One of the Church’s missions is to tell people of their Creator and the love our Creator has for us.
I have been taking part in a series of classes on how to be a better spiritual director. At the end of each session, one of the staff would get up and give a few pieces of advice and offer some points for prayers. I will always remember when the staff person said “the devil only has two lies 1) you are not good enough and 2) you are alone.” In the one title “Emmanuel” Jesus shatters both of those lies. He is Emmanuel and therefore He is “God with us” and thus we are not alone. Since He is with us we must be good enough to be in God’s company and thus with God all things are possible. Let us always ask God to be with us instead of trying to do this on our own.
Advent Prayer Based on the Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace—hallowed be your name.
Christ our Lord, you descended to earth, to a lowly manger to bring all nations under your rule and draw us into your holy and perfect presence. We bow at your manger in awe of your might. Immanuel, God with us—hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Prince of Peace, make your kingdom complete. May we prepare a way for your kingdom wherever there is violence and hatred wherever there is oppression and injustice wherever there is quarreling and alienation. May we prepare a way for your kingdom of peace, where the wolf will live with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the kid. In us, through us, and around us, your kingdom come.
Give us today our daily bread. Bread of life, feed us with your truth. In a season of greed and selfish desires may we see that we are sustained only by your providence. May our eagerness to open our gifts Pale in comparison to our joy to receive the gift of the Savior. May our discontent disappear as we approach the day of your coming.