There is one God, whose word and wisdom made and ordered all things.  God’s word is our Lord Jesus Christ
who in these last times became human among humankind, that Christ might unite the end with the beginning,
that is, humankind with God.
                                                                                                --Irenaeus of Lyons, Second century

As you prepare to journal, sit quietly, reflecting on this passage:
Because the beginning shall remind us of the end
And the first coming of the second coming.
--T.S. Eliot

O God, whose will is justice for the poor
and peace for all the afflicted,
let your herald’s urgent voice
pierce our hardened hearts
and announce the dawn of your kingdom.
Before the advent of the one who baptizes
with the fire of the Holy Spirit,
let our complacency give way to conversion,
oppression to justice,
and conflict to acceptance of one another in Christ.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
--Prayer, Second Sunday of Advent

Practice lectio divina using:
You are the brightest of the Father’s glory, the image of the one that begot you; you appeared in our human flesh
and enlightened our soul by the light of your life-giving gospel.  We praise and worship and glorify you at all times.  
With your sacred wisdom make me wise, O Lord, and grant that I may serve you by keeping your vivifying and
divine commandments, entirely and always.  Amen.
                                                                                                                                        --Sirach 24: 3, 9, 18