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1st Week of Advent Devotions: Wednesday, 12/06/06

When the new king from David’s line establishes his rule, wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them. Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do. Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake. On Zion, God's sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be as full of knowledge of the Lord as the seas are full of water.

(Isaiah 11:6-9 TEV)

When I first read the book, Contract with an Angel by Andrew Greeley, I was a little surprised at the intimate relationship the main character develops with God. I always thought "intimacy" was a familiar, shared and warm expression between partners in an affectionate and loving union. And, I was right. But I never thought of it in terms of a relationship with God.

Ever since coming to Church of the Beloved I feel that I am being equipped with how to begin building a deeper bond with God - a more intimate and personal relationship with him. My first awareness at Beloved, of a desire for a more intimate relationship was during a "washing of the feet" service that we hold every Lenten season. The act of washing another's feet brought me closer to understanding the scripture, servitude and love that Christ spoke of to his disciples. It also revealed the intimate association between Christ, his disciples and God.

Since that service, I have come to trust our Lord with his desire for a more intimate relationship with me. And, through Church of the Beloved, God is revealed to me in many more ways than I can ever have imagined. Since that service, as a part of my growing unity with God, I have experienced sacramental confession; I have learned to openly pray with others - including my family; I have participated in many new Christian oriented activities including teaching children in the Sunday Beloved Beehive and have been entrusted to be a godparent to a wonderful child.

Look, listen and feel the work of God all around you and trust in the Holy Spirit to find an intimate place in your heart during this season of Advent.

Todd Atwood

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor,

and further us with your continual help;

that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you,

we may glorify your holy Name,

and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Schedule for December 24

9:30am, Advent IV worship, followed by hospitality and Hanging of the Greens

7pm, Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship (The Christ Mass) followed by hot cider and cookies