ADVENT 2025 – DAY EIGHTEEN

Remember your word to your servant,
because you have given me hope.

This is my comfort in my trouble,
that your promise gives me life.

[PSALM 119:49-50]

ADVENT DAILY OFFICE READINGS
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53] Zech. 3:1-10; Rev. 4:1-8; Matt. 24:45-51

When I began this undertaking of writing a daily Advent reflection my only guideline was to limit myself to the psalms.

That may have seemed like a foolish task when you consider their repetitive nature and how often you read the same idea expressed in a variety of ways.

We are once again faced with a portion of Psalm 119, the longest in the Psalter. We presented an overview of Psalm 119 back on December 3, the fourth day of Advent, so I will not repeat myself here.

Those who commit to reading it in its entirety (176 verses, remember) at one sitting may not find it as burdensome as one might think. It does require commitment, but commitment also has its share of rewards.

I must confess, however, that more than once I was tempted to abandon this mission. I keep having to remind myself that I am retired and I shouldn’t have to work this hard. Besides, there are thousands of others doing the same thing and I would be forgiven if I felt I couldn’t continue.

But then I read the first two verses of our assigned psalm for today, and I said to myself, “The Lord will give me the words.”

I recalled some of the basic writing advice I’ve been given often – to sit and stare at a blank computer screen until something comes to mind.

Some days are more challenging than others, which means I will spend more time staring. But eventually words begin flowing and eventually the page is filled.

Remember your word to your servant,
because you have given me hope.

There are days I don’t feel very hopeful; days when it seems that every ounce of energy is necessary to overcome a tsunami of despair.

It’s almost as if we were living in a modern-day reenactment of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

But then I remember it’s Advent, and that gives me the strength to resist the gloom.

This is my comfort in my trouble,
that your promise gives me life.

In addition to God’s word, God has given us the gift of the wisdom of Howard Thurman, who wrote a reflection that speaks to our continuous battle against despair.

It’s called, “The Season of Remembrance.”**

Again and again, it comes;
The Time of Recollection,
The Season of Remembrance.
Empty vessels of hope fill up again;
Forgotten treasures of dreams reclaim their place;
Long-lost memories come trooping back to me.
This is my season of remembrance,
My time of recollection.

Into the challenge of my anguish
I throw the strength of all my hope;I match the darts of my despair with the treasures of my dreams;
Upon the current of my heart
I float the burdens of the years;
I challenge the mind of death with my love of life.
Such to me is the Time of Recollection,
The season of Remembrance.

Let us pray:
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 212)

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*The Psalter in the Book of Common Prayer breaks up the verses into shorter segments for music and chanting purposes.

**Thurman, Howard. The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations (Richmond: Friends United Press) p. 34