Christ

A thought to ponder during the last days of Advent....

Christmas

What I love about Christmas

There's much to love about the Christmas season. Now before you get your list of “what's not to love” ready, let me say that I don't like the shopping part, refuse to take part in Black Friday and cringe when I hear Christmas songs in the stores right after Halloween.

I love the family traditions built up over 35 years of being married and having a family. The advent wreath on the table where everyone can see it. The “all one piece” Nativity scene that gets pride of place in the center of the mantle. All the children's hand made ornaments that we no longer use but which are still in the box lest we forget they are there.

I love the joy and expectation in the eyes of all the children as they look forward to Christmas Eve and the arrival of St. Nick. Decorating the church, as a congregation, on the first Sunday of Advent. Submerging myself in the glorious music provided by the different musicians and choirs. Finding a new way to tell the Christmas story with the children and young people (this year's telling includes Frankenstein!). Reading the letters to Santa in the local paper. Gathering with others from our congregation to throw a party for those less fortunate children of our community.

But, most of all, I love the 11pm Christmas Eve service. Walking into the church filled with warmth and light, the intimacy of the crowd (there are usually only around 20 -30 of us there), the candles, the music. Getting into a circle to close the service and holding hands with those around me. Even then, the most enchanted time is walking back to the car afterward. Still feeling the glow of the words telling one of the most sacred of stories, bundling up but feeling the cold night air on my face, looking up to the sky (whether it's cloudy or full of stars) and taking a moment to know...without a doubt...that this is a celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world. That moment in time when I feel the mysterious connection with all that happened on that special night during that special season. I rarely feel closer to God than I do in that particular moment. And then my heart sings...“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Advent Wreath

Since today is the first Sunday of Advent, and since Chuck has another installment of "Chuck knows Church" that explains the Advent wreath it was a "no brainer" to post this today.



After years of lighting these wreaths both at church and at home, it hit me one day that the Christ candle could be utilized for more than just a few Sunday's a year (wonder where that idea came from?). At any given Youth meeting, we will have a candle burning...our version of the Christ candle (meaning it may or may not be white). It is there to remind us of Matthew 18:20 and our purpose for joining together..."For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Christmas Spirit

Advent

in two minutes...



by Busted Halo

...an excellent introduction to the season. You might well be surprised at how many "Christians" know nothing about it!

Wandering...

I think he would tell us that the true purpose of his nomadic life became clear as he found the “authentic” King, lying in a manger underneath that bright star. There in a stable on the outskirts of a poor and forgotten little town, among oppressed and broken people, his intention to follow enabled him to discover true meaning and joy: the Holy Nomad, whose cries would awaken new purpose into the world.

You and I spend this time of year in search of many things: the hottest technological gadget, the closest parking spot at the outlet mall, the best Cyber Monday deal, the perfect tree, the right guest to bring prestige to our holiday get-togethers. But do we expend the same effort seeking the very One whose birth signifies the movement toward self-sacrifice and responsibility?

Check out "Wandering through Advent"...

Modern day Shepherds

Given that the Advent Season starts this Sunday, I thought it might be fitting to connect to a story from UMNS concerning a modern day shepherd. Although his method of tending his flock is very different from the time of Christ's birth, there are still similarities:

In Jesus’ day, shepherds were not generally on the guest list to see a newborn king.

Their work, however, was essential. Sheep were important sources of milk, meat and wool, and were also an essential part of Jewish worship at the temple in Jerusalem.
Nevertheless, shepherding itself was a dirty and at times lonely job, United Methodist scholars point out. Shepherds were peasants who could not support themselves from the land and had to work as hired hands.

“In fact, many would have regarded shepherds as ritually unclean, especially if they were involved not only in wool gathering, but in slaughtering animals and tanning hides,” says the Rev. Ben Witherington III, a blogger at Beliefnet.com and New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

“Bethlehem was the ancient equivalent of the stockyards in Kansas City. It was where the sheep were raised and kept to be sent off to slaughter six miles up the road in Jerusalem.”
The angels’ annunciation to humble shepherds is very much in keeping with Mary’s pronouncement earlier in Luke that God has lifted up the lowly, says the Rev. Richard Hays, the dean of Duke Divinity School and a New Testament professor.

One of the themes of Luke’s Gospel is divine reversal. “Luke is showing that no person is considered beneath the Messiah's dignity, and all should celebrate his coming for as Luke says — he is the savior of the world,” Witherington adds.

Read the entire article here....

Christmas!

The Bishop's Wife

One of my absolute favorite Christmas movies is "The Bishop's Wife"
It was released in 1947 but is a humorous, touching story that resounds today.
 Especially Henry's Christmas Eve message (that was actually written by Dudley)...

Shepherds

Shepherds are not just important to the Christmas story, they're still a vital part of our world today...

Each Christmas Eve when he hears the familiar account of the shepherds’ angelic visit, Glen Fisher has good reason to sit up a little straighter in his pew.

The United Methodist has herded sheep for more than 30 years on his ranch near Sonora in southwest Texas, and he is a respected leader in his profession. In January, Fisher will complete his two-year term as president of the American Sheep Industry Association, the national organization that represents the 82,000 sheep producers in the United States.

Sheep remain an integral part of U.S. agriculture. Farm flocks are raised in all 50 states, providing wool for mills as far away as China and meat for dinner tables closer to home. Fisher’s home state of Texas has the nation’s largest share of the industry, with more than 10 percent of the nation’s sheep producers and some 830,000 sheep and lambs as of this past January.

Read the rest here...

They weren't expecting it...

The shepherds would never have dreamed they would be a part of the miraculous birth. And yet, they were...a significant part.

Luke 2:13-14 tells us “13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and  saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Imagine yourself a shepherd in the fields...it is night and you are tending your sheep. There is safety in numbers so several of you stand guard around the flock to keep the predators at bay...or perhaps you are rounding them up to put them in a makeshift corral for the night but still you stand guard. The evening is quiet, the stars are bright. Perhaps you've noticed the one star that seems to stand out...it seems so close...just above you.

An angel appears to call attention to the star and to explain it's meaning. This would have been a most terrifying sight! Close your eyes and imagine...a bright angel, floating above the earth and speaking directly to you! After his message, you are sure to think that nothing could top that! But then...a great company of the heavenly host appears...don't know about you but to me, a great company means a lot of angels and they are praising God! If you weren't already kneeling with your face to the ground because of the first angel, I suspect you would be now! How bright, how LOUD, how joyous it must

have been! It had to be one of those moments that make the hair stand on the back of your neck.

The Bible tells us the shepherds then made their way to see the Child. And to spread the Word...they had to spread the Word...they must have felt compelled. And all who heard it marveled (which means “to cause wonder or astonishment”)! Are you approaching the Birth of the Child with joy? Do you marvel at God's love for us? Do you feel wonder, or are you astonished? We are 2,000+ years removed from the event, but it's power over us is no less than it was then. Let us be the shepherds of our time and spread the marvelous Word.

Celebrate

Advent reminds us that our salvation comes from something small, weak and hidden. One might have expected God to present His only Son to worldwide fanfare. Although He was announced by angels singing, only the shepherds heard. Although He had His very own star, only the Wise Men saw.

When we despair, we need to look for the small signs of God's presence. The smile of a baby, the play of children, the blooming of a flower, the love and encouragement of friends. Today the world tries to overwhelm us with noise but it is the still, small voice of God that deserves our complete attention.

This season is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing. All of which are fulfilled with the birth of the Child. Celebrate His birth with unbridled joy!

Worship fully

Advent Week 4

The Christmas Story

You may have seen this before but it's worth another watch...
from New Zealand...

Make straight

Yesterday's post from the Upper Room included Isaiah 40:3 in a message from Mike Ripski:

Advent asks all of us that same question. Isaiah called people to "make straight" a way for the Lord. The modern equivalent of the prophet's image is heavy earth?movers and dynamite. We prepare for God to come by bulldozing away and washing away all that is unholy.

Read the rest here...

Waiting...

As we all know, Advent is a time for waiting...I was struck by this simple yet poignant prayer from The Advent Door...

Blessing for Waiting


Who wait

for the night

to end

bless them.

Who wait

for the night

to begin

bless them.

Who wait

in the hospital room
who wait

in the cell

who wait

in prayer

bless them.

Who wait

for news

who wait
for the phone call
who wait

for a word

who wait

for a job

a house
a child

bless them.

Who wait

for one who

will come home
who wait

for one who

will not come home

bless them.

Who wait with fear
who wait with joy

who wait with peace

who wait with rage
who wait for the end

who wait for the beginning

who wait alone

who wait together

bless them.

Who wait

without knowing

what they wait for

or why

bless them.

Who wait

when they

should not wait

who wait

when they should be

in motion

who wait

when they need

to rise

who wait

when they need

to set out

bless them.

Who wait

for the end

of waiting

who wait

for the fullness

of time

who wait

emptied and

open and

ready
who wait

for you

o bless.

- Jan Richardson


Take a moment to read the rest of the post at the link above...

Advent Week 3

Waiting

Advent is a time of anticipation, of waiting and making ready...just in case you need a reminder that it is worth the wait. Everyone and everything has a part in the making ready...




1. People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.

5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Words and Music: Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)