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Pastor Nathan Mugaas

12/1/2020

 
Heavenly Father, help us to reflect the light of Christ now and throughout the whole year. Amen. 
 
As a kid, Advent was always one of my favorite seasons. My family had an Advent wreath that would be placed in the middle of the table all through the season, and each night at supper we would read from an old Advent devotional book. My brother, sister, and I would get to take turns doing two big jobs: lighting the candles with the special long lighter and extinguishing them with a special little candle snuffer. There were three of us and only two prized jobs, so each night was a little bit of a fight to remember who had done what the previous night.
 
After the roles for the evening were established, we would light the appropriate candles for the night, read the little reading/reflection and prayer, and then there would be a song to sing. I can still feel my adolescent self-cringing as we awkwardly sang an acapella verse of whatever Christmas song was chosen for the night. Then we would eat supper and at the end of the night the candles would be extinguished.
 
Now I have my own three kids, but lucky for Teddy (6) and Stanley (4), their baby brother Ben isn’t old enough to fight them for the two prized roles of lighting and extinguishing candles. This season I’m excited for my family to light the candles, read the devotions and prayers, sing a verse or two of a song, share a meal together, and then extinguish the candles. I’m also excited for you to be joining us in this tradition. So welcome to Advent. Thank you for coming on this journey with us. Will you join us in singing a verse of one of my favorite Advent hymns, O Come O Come Emmanuel:
 
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

 
Let us pray…
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. As we journey through this season of Advent together fill us and this whole world with your joyous light, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen

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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Lent to Easter 2023
  • Give
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy