{"id":3307,"date":"2017-12-11T00:18:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-10T23:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=3307"},"modified":"2017-12-11T00:18:23","modified_gmt":"2017-12-10T23:18:23","slug":"2017-advent-hope-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/11\/2017-advent-hope-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2017: Advent Hope #2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)
\n <\/p>\n

ADVENT HOPE<\/em><\/p>\n

Isaiah 9:6\u20137  (NRSVA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

6<\/sup> For a child has been born for us,
\n            a son given to us;
\n     authority rests upon his shoulders;
\n            and he is named
\n     Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
\n            Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
\n7<\/sup> His authority shall grow continually,
\n            and there shall be endless peace
\n     for the throne of David and his kingdom.
\n            He will establish and uphold it
\n     with justice and with righteousness
\n            from this time onwards and for evermore.
\n     The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.<\/p>\n

Thought<\/h3>\n

What do you hope for during Advent? The hope of so many during Advent is that Santa will bring them the ideal present or that Christmas dinner will be cooked on time and yet surely the true hope of Advent is a time when God\u2019s kingdom as described by Isaiah becomes a reality in the lives of us all.<\/p>\n

Poem: Advent<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the services of Advent
\nNo one listens to what they sing
\nOf a child born in a manger
\nWho came to be their King<\/p>\n

In the festivities of the season
\nNo one has the time to pause
\nTo reflect upon the Christ child
\nThey\u2019re too busy with Santa Claus<\/p>\n

In the merriment of the celebration
\nNo one stops to question why
\nWe are stuffing ourselves with turkey
\nFollowed by mince pie<\/p>\n

In the noise of the parties
\nNo one can hear the voice
\nOf the Angels singing \u201cpeace on earth\u201d
\nAs the heavenly hosts rejoice<\/p>\n

In the busyness of Christmas
\nSee them rush right by the stall
\nIn which lies a little baby
\nWho came to redeem us all<\/p>\n

So in this season of Advent
\nLet us pause to remember Him
\nWhose birth it is we celebrate
\nWhose praise it is we sing<\/em><\/p>\n

Prayer <\/h3>\n

Lord, as we journey through this season of hope let us hold on to the promises we find in scripture and look for your coming among us afresh and the establishment of your kingdom of justice and peace among all nations. Amen. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nXTRA XTRA XTRA<\/em>
\nChurch of Scotland Advent Calendar<\/strong><\/a>
\nJourney daily with characters in the Nativity through video, reflection and prayer\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)   ADVENT HOPE Isaiah 9:6\u20137  (NRSVA) 6 For a child has been born for us,             a son given to us;      authority rests upon his shoulders;             and he is named      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,       … Continue reading “2017: Advent Hope #2”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,14,63,3],"tags":[96,98],"class_list":["post-3307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-meditation","category-poetry","category-prayer","tag-advent-2017","tag-hope"],"yoast_head":"\n2017: Advent Hope #2 - Prayer matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What do you hope for during Advent? 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It is not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "creed"","block_context":{"text":"creed","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/creed\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iron_cow.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3465,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/16\/2017-advent-hope-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":3307,"position":1},"title":"2017: Advent Hope #7","author":"Kim Hurst","date":"December 16, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 OUR HOPE Luke 2:28\u201332 \u00a0(NRSVA) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 according to your word; 30\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 which you have prepared in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/cross_beach_rainbow.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3455,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/15\/2017-advent-hope-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":3307,"position":2},"title":"2017: Advent Hope #6","author":"Kim Hurst","date":"December 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 ISRAEL'S HOPE Isaiah 11:1\u20133 \u00a0(NRSVA) 1 A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 the spirit of wisdom and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/strings_attached.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5728,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/12\/03\/3-prayers-for-advent\/","url_meta":{"origin":3307,"position":3},"title":"3 Prayers for Advent","author":"Irene Bom","date":"December 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 To kick off this month's theme, Prepare, here are 3 short prayers to ready our hearts for Christmas and for Jesus' Kingdom to come, now and in the future. \u00a0 (Links to additional resources for Advent included below.) \u00a0 Prayer of Invocation (inspired by Matthew 11:3-5) O God, we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3499,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/17\/2017-advent-joy-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":3307,"position":4},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #1","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) On this third Sunday of Advent, we begin a new mini-series, this time on Advent Joy, featuring reflections by Rev. Andrew Gardner of the Scots Kirk in Brussels. YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY Isaiah 55:12-13 \u00a0(The Voice) 12 For you will go out in joy, be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/tree_house_cows.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3104,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/02\/2017-advent-faith-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":3307,"position":5},"title":"2017: Advent Faith #1","author":"Irene Bom","date":"December 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Medina\/Rabat, Malta (Photo: Irene Bom) During our Presbytery meeting in Malta a few months ago I recruited three of my colleagues (and one spouse) to join me in putting together a series of daily posts for Advent 2017 (December 3 to 24). Rev. Laurence Twaddle, minister in Geneva, will kick\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/medina_malta.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/medina_malta.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/medina_malta.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/medina_malta.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Kim Hurst","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/kimhurst\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">meditation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/poetry\/\" rel=\"category tag\">poetry<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)   ADVENT HOPE Isaiah 9:6\u20137  (NRSVA) 6 For a child has been born for us,             a son given to us;      authority rests upon his shoulders;             and he is named      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,      …","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3307\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}