Foreword
To God Be the Glory!
Two Thousand Twenty-Three
“Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rest.” Luke 2:14
The scripture above defines the actions of the multitude of the heavenly host with the angel praising God in announcing Jesus’ birth to shepherds in the fields.
This year of 2023 we are listening for those same words. We started this year with the remnants of COVID; we’ve labored through illnesses, heartfelt deaths, major earthquakes, hurricanes, collapsed government, injustices, civil rights bashings, voter suppression, chaos and confusion, war and genocide. Yes, we long for peace on earth.
We are gasping for clean air, calm resolutions, affordable housing, equality, fairness, and equity. We long for peace in this world, and the end to senseless wars and miscarriages of justice.
The members and friends of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church use this booklet to share their reflections of the times and their lives in this season. We prepare for Advent; we await the new birth, the change.
We are hopeful and watchful. Our feelings extend far beyond the season of Advent. We pray for peace for all.
The messages are as diverse as the communities in which we reside. Our reflections parallel the events of our times and the seasons with which we contend yet, they are words of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
We hope you will find this booklet useful for your daily devotions. We invite you to join us as we meditate and pray for peace through Advent and beyond.
God Be With You!
Yvonne L. Bolling
Director, Commission on Christian Education
Advent Guide 2023
As we stand in expectation of peace on Earth and reflect on the events of our times and the lives of our brothers, sisters and siblings in Christ, we await change and new birth.
We seek, listen and perceive the presence of God in words of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
We invite you to join us in meditation, reflection, prayer and spiritual disciplines throughout the season of Advent and beyond.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and reflect along with us offline.