St John the Evangelist

Rev Janice Aiton

WAITING

WAITING ADVENT MEDITATION

Behind the corridors of space, before the world began, beyond all understanding.

Fathering time,

mothering creation,

parenting all people….

God.

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Waiting for the right moment,

preparing the right way,

intending the right woman.

Gloria, Gloria, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

We believe in one God,

Maker and Mover of heaven and earth.

SYMBOL- GOLD BOX

READER: I am a wise man

looking for a sign

I believe the world is meant to be a

fairer place and that I should help to change it.

I have access to people of power and authority

but I am not sure how to use my influence.

Pray for me and for all other influential ones

who are waiting for a sign.

LAY DOWN GOLD BOX

ALL: ON GOD ALONE I WAITED SILENTLY.

SYMBOL- HEADSCARF

READER: I am a poor widow

looking for a purpose

I am tired of being talked about

treated as a statistic,

pushed to the margins of human conversation.

I want to meet someone who will have time for me,

someone who will listen to me,

someone who will not take me for granted

who I am or what I have to offer.

Pray for me and for all poor people

who are waiting to be taken seriously.

ALL: ON GOD ALONE I WAITED SILENTLY.

LAY DOWN HEADSCARF.

SYMBOL -STICK

READER: I am an old man

waiting for my death.

I have looked at the world so long

it wearies me.

I have prayed to God so hard.

for my people to be delivered

from all that diminishes and destroys them.

And I wonder, as my life closes,

if change will ever come.

Pray for me and for all older folk

who are waiting for a Saviour.

ALL: ON GOD ALONE I WAITED SILENTLY.

LAY DOWN THE STICK

SYMBOL-KNITTING

READER: I am a young mother

waiting for child to be born .

I feel the new life inside me,

I sense great promise through me,

I know my love grows

for the one I have not seen.

Yet I fear the world could be a hostile place

for the little one who is to come.

Pray for me and all expectant mothers

who are waiting for their child to be born.

ALL: ON GOD ALONE I WAITED SILENTLY.

LAY DOWN KNITTING

SYMBOL -DIARY

READER: I am an everywoman and everyman.

In my loneliness, I am waiting to be visited;

in my uncertainty I am waiting to be reassured;

in my happiness I am waiting for a deeper fulfilment

in my soul I am waiting to be wanted.

Pray for me and for yourself,

for we are all waiting.

ALL: ON GOD ALONE I WAITED SILENTLY.

LAY DOWN DIARY

SYMBOL – NAPPY

READER: I am the Lord God

I have waited on you

and I have heard your prayer.

Now is the right time

and I am coming soon.

So prepare a way in the desert,

a cradle in the hay,

a meeting place in the market square,

a table in an upstairs room,

a cross on the hill,

a grave in the garden,

a throne in your heart as in heaven.

For now again,

I will bend down and remember you.

I will answer your prayer

and your waiting will end in joy.

LAY DOWN – NAPPY

REFLECT ON GOD’S COMING – THE INCARNATION

LISTEN OR SING THE HYMN

PRAYER

Advent God,
we journey with you,
to Bethlehem’s stable
and a new-born King,
ears attuned
to the song of angels,
eyes alert
for Bethlehem’s star.
Forgive us
if on our journey
we are distracted
by the tempting offers
of this world.
Keep our hearts aflame
with the hope
of Christmas,
and the promise
of a Saviour. Amen