Daily Bread December 03

Share Your Story
Chantal M\xc3\xbcller-Mukamurera of Munich, Germany


The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. -Isaiah 35:1-2a, 5-6a, 10

This year everything seems to be slowing down to me. But still my life is not enough to do justice to all the people to whom my heart belongs. A scripture in the Book of Mormon says, “It is not necessary that people run faster than they have strength.”

The following quote is my wish not only now in Advent: “A true friend is the one who takes your hand but touches your heart” (Gabriel Jose Garc\xc3\xada M\xc3\xa1rquez). This Colombian writer and literature Nobel Prize winner is a great example to think about in this time of Advent. He was born in 1927. In his early life he was raised by his maternal grandparents. His grandmother told him traditional stories as if they were real. It sounded amazing to him, and they influenced how he would tell stories. Many of his stories were influenced by his hometown and those rich and sometimes fanciful stories told by his grandparents.

His grandfather told him about the events of war. When he was nine years old, his grandfather died and he returned to his parents. He studied law but was not happy. He started his career as a journalist. His childhood dream was to be a writer. His first book, Leaf Storm (La Hojarasca), was published in 1955. One Hundred Years of Solitude was published in 1967. The Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to him in 1982 for his novels and short stories. For him, this award was for all Latin Americans because his country taught him all he wrote about.

So as Gabriel Jose Garc\xc3\xada M\xc3\xa1rquez reminds us: be a true friend and touch the heart of someone. In this special season it is important to focus on things money can’t buy. Share time, tell stories to children, listen to stories of elderly people who have so much experience and wisdom. All those acts will be held in the memory of your friends, and they will tell stories to future generations.

Build a community of love and start to tell your own story; each life matters, each story is important. “Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere.” Be a welcoming congregation and help to be a place of healing and reconciliation.

Prayer Phrase

“Trust what is being born.”

Spiritual Practice

Jesus, the Peaceful One

We have spent this year with a guiding question: Are we moving closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One? As we near the end of this calendar year, we review how this question has been shaping and forming us. In our thoughts, words, and actions, have we been embodying Jesus, the Peaceful One? What might it look like to move closer to Jesus, the Peaceful One as we make space in our lives for Christ incarnate this Advent season?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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