The collect and readings for yesterday, the First Sunday of Advent, may be found here. The appointed gospel was Luke 21:25-36.

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

²⁹Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ³⁴“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars….”

My wife and I spent Thanksgiving at the diocesan retreat center on Mustang Island. We had the chance to be with some family as well as have time by ourselves. Thanksgiving night we went for a long walk on the beach. We walked mostly in silence. The last colors of the setting sun were fading into the coming night. The moon was rising and a few stars were beginning to make their appearance. This was our first holiday since our son died. Though there is lots to talk about there was not much to say that evening. It was difficult to appreciate the beauty of the setting sun. Darkness seemed to overshadow the moon’s light and the stars offered no guidance or direction.

She and I are living in the Season of Advent and I do not simply mean the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is much more than that. Advent is that in-between time of waiting, not knowing, and darkness. We stand on the threshold, in liminal space, neither here nor there, betwixt and between, stuck in the middle. Advent is that season in which life as we knew it is no longer and the new life to come is not yet. It means we live in transition, knowing that everything has changed and is changing but not yet able to clearly see the way forward. So we wait and we watch.

I suspect each of you could tell an advent story of your life: waiting and watching at the bedside in the hospital, a time when your marriage was not what it used to be and you were not sure what it would be or if it even would be. Maybe it was the death of a loved one, or watching your child struggle to grow up. Advent comes in the midst of a job loss, a business failure, and financial uncertainties. One day we realize that life as we planned it did not happen and we now have no idea who we are or where we are going in life – it is the Season of Advent. The uncertainty of the diagnosis or knowing the diagnosis but not the prognosis takes us in to Advent time. The national economy, the war in Afghanistan, the division within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion all reside within the Season of Advent – it is not like it used to be and we are left to wonder what it will be.

Today’s gospel reminds us that Advent is not just a season of the church year; it is a reality of life. Jesus has taken the disciples into the Advent of their lives. The disciples are admiring the temple and the large stones. Jesus tells them that change is coming and it will feel like your world is falling apart – the temple of your life will fall; you will hear news of wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues; some will be arrested and persecuted; there will be signs in the sun, moon, stars and on earth distress among nations; you will be scared to death over what is happening. That all sounds pretty familiar to me. It sounds like real life and it is a pretty good description of what it is like to live in midst of significant change, in the times of uncertainly, in those threshold moments of life.

Usually Advent brings us more questions than answers. Will everything be ok? Will I be ok? Will those I love be ok? When will all this happen and what will it be like? Show me a sign that everything will be ok. And mostly we want to go back to what it used to be like. But we cannot do that. God does not take us back to the past. God does not undo what has happened in our lives. Instead, God redeems what has happened. Advent is not so much about the loss of what was; it is rather about the coming redemption, about what will be. Every time we tell the story of Advent in our lives we also proclaim that our redemption is drawing near. The season of waiting, of unknowing, and darkness is also the season in which redemption is drawing near. And there will be signs Jesus says.

The signs will be as ordinary as a fig tree putting on leaves, as common as the sun, moon, and stars that we see every day. Jesus seems to be saying that we will know them when we see them. They will be signs of light, new life, and growth. When or how this happens we cannot say. But if we are not careful our time will be spent looking for and trying to read signs. We will be so focused on the signs we will miss the reality of standing before the Son of Man.

Jesus does not call us to forecasting about our lives. He calls us to lives of faithfulness – here, now, in this place, in this moment – in this Season of Advent. We are not prognosticators of the faith but practitioners of the faith. The way through this Season of Advent and into the future, into the ever coming redemption, ends up being a life of simple faithfulness in the present.

• Stand up and raise your heads
• Be on guard
• Be alert
• Pray

These are the practices of an Advent faith. This is the faithfulness to which Jesus calls us. They are simple practices and yet some of the most difficult work we ever do. We do not get to determine or control the timing, circumstances, or conditions of our Advent. We do, however, choose how we respond to our Season of Advent. We choose whether or not we will stand up, raise our heads, be on guard, be alert, and pray. It is not a one time choice. We must choose our Advent practices day after day and sometimes even moment to movement. As we live into those practices we discover that we are no longer looking for signs. Our own life has become the sign of redemption drawing near

Today is the second day in the first week of advent, but we are also celebrating the 28 days before Christmas by placing ornaments on the Jesse tree in our front room. This started on the 28th of November, which this year fell on Saturday.

I’ll start by posting a new link each day that is related to the preparations I’ve made this year, but I’ll also be adding the Bible verses that I’m reading during this season.

The first link is a link to a website that I’ve found really helpful for several reasons, and one of these reasons is that it has printable Jesse tree ornaments, and it tells you all the related scriptures for those ornaments. We made two sets of ornaments for our tree, and Nour and Alex both get to put one on the tree each day, which means when we’re finished there will be 56 ornaments on our Jesse tree.

http://www.shalfleet.net/advent/makeajessetree.htm

For the first three days of the Jesse Tree, we have read the following Scriptures/stories:

1. 1 Samuel 16:1-13: The story of David’s anointing. (Ornament: Dove)

2. Genesis 1-3: The Story of Creation and the Fall. (Ornament: Apple)

3. Genesis 6-8: The Flood and Noah (Ornament: Ark)

For the Advent wreath, the first Sunday is the candle of Hope or Prophecy. The two concepts are related. The prophecies about the Christ gave the people of Israel hope for their nation’s future. The anticipation of a savior is what links us to them. They awaited the Christ, we await his return. Advent is a season of hope for us as well, as we wait for Christ to return, we ought to look back at his first coming and rejoice in our salvation.

Each year, I read out of our children’s Bible the stories from the gospels, beginning with the account of Mary’s visit from an angel and her trek to see Elizabeth.

The readings for the first week of Advent:

Sunday – Is 40, 9 –11, Mt. 1, 1 – 16

Monday – Is 19, 20 –22, Mt. 1, 18 – 25

Tuesday – Is 35, 1 – 7, Mt. 3, 1 – 11

Wednesday – Is 2, 1 – 30, Mk 1, 1-11

Thursday – Is 45, 1 – 8, Lk 1, 5 – 25

Friday – Is. 7, 14, 22, 33, Lk 1, 26 – 38

Saturday – Is. 35, 4 / Is 7, 14, Lk 1, 39 – 56

While this isn’t the best image of the morning, this is the one that speaks loudest to me and my morning’s struggle with Advent.

A quiet peace, a light that is struggling to push through and reveal the landscape. A foggy unknowing in the distance, and the majesty of the tree, front and center. Is this tree threatening or protective? Assuring or distracting? Does the sky give you a sense of foreboding or do you wonder at the glory revealed in light and shadow?

Where are you this Advent? What are you following? Who are you listening to? Have you taken the time to prepare for this season and this new year?

Advent is quickly unfolding. It is quietly pulling us into the darkness of winter. Will you be ready to welcome the light of Epiphany?

“Let us bless the Lord!”

This past Friday my sister in law woke up early to be at a local department store at 2:45 in the morning. She wanted to be part of so called “black Friday,” the day after thanksgiving shopping extravaganza that supposedly kicks off the holiday shopping season. She was there with hundreds of others who were hoping to find “great deals” on gifts out of their holiday list.

I personally do not understand it. Why would you get up so early to shop? What kind of deal is worth showing up at a department store at 2:45 in the morning? What does it say about us that this is the way that we kick off the holiday season?

This past Sunday many of my parishioners showed up to church still “high” from a few days of shopping. They spent all weekend listening to Christmas songs, seeing Christmas decorations, and buying Christmas gifts. Many woke up before dawn on Friday to get a great deal and will probably have trouble staying awake for the worship service (if they show up at all).

Instead of the loud crowds, bright decorations, and cheery music they will encounter a quiet atmosphere, purple paraments, and reflective music. They came from a Christmas world into an Advent space. There could not be a bigger contrast and for some a more difficult culture shock!

A sense of culture shock continues with the readings. The gospel has Jesus warning his disciples about the end of things. Creation, nations, and people are all a part of this in-braking, of this transformation, of this end. Jesus tells his disciples to recognize the “signs” and to be “alert.” Although all of this sounds scary, disciples of Jesus should not be afraid, instead we should “stand up and raise [our] heads, because [our] redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

All of this comes together to give us a different view of what is really needed in the world and in each of us. Gifts, spending, and long lines are not needed according to the Advent message. What is needed most is a savior.

In line there are people who are looking for something. Many look forward to this time of the year to get a reprieve from their life. Others are hoping that the gift giving, the music, and the excitement of others will rub off so that they can find the peace that they are looking for. And there are still others on the margins who observe all of this happening wondering if this year will be any different.

In the everyday of life, in the mess of things, in the brokenness of things a savior comes. God knows that in the midst of the celebration there is sadness, pain, and strife. We as people of faith are called to pay attention, and to be alert so that we can be the bearers of the good news.

Are we paying attention to the signs around us that tell us what people are searching for? Are we as people of faith too busy ourselves to recognize our own need for salvation? Are we too caught up in religious things, not noticing the groaning of creation and the silent cries of humanity?

In small ways we are being called to actively rehearse the coming of God in the world. People are obviously hungry for good news, they might not even know of their deep hunger, they might not realize that what they need is not another gift, they might not know the real reason for this time of the year. I commit to look around, to see the signs everywhere, to pay attention, to tell the world that our redemption is drawing near!

RevGalBlogPals is hosting an advent retreat today. I’m looking forward to participating on here and in my own personal quiet spaces today through meditation and journaling.

Yesterday, in church I shared about my love for Advent. In college, I worked two years in retail at this popular store. The second Christmas season there was my last because I was moving to another town to finish college. I had asked the manager for an increase in hours so I could save up more money. My one request was to be off in time to get to the Christmas Eve service with my family. It was a family tradition to attend it together. At work, we all worked hard to get out of there on time. We even ended up closing the doors in front of customers who were begging (and sometimes cursing) us to let them in for one more present.

I was late in getting to the Christmas Eve service and they had already turned off the lights in the sanctuary so I couldn’t find my family. I sat alone in the back of the room wearing my TRU Geoffrey shirt. I listened to the Christmas carols, the story being read, and watched as the deacons got ready to pass around the candles. The pastor said something about getting ready for the arrival of the Christ child. I remember thinking, wait… I’m not ready. It can’t be happening now. I’m not ready. I’ve just been dealing with people at some of their most ugliest times this season and I’m suppose to usher in this gift of love. My heart isn’t quite ready.

Fast forward a couple of years to the first time I worked on a church staff. Our worship pastor announced the first Sunday of Advent would be after Thanksgiving. I had learned about Advent and its significance that year. I loved it. I love the waiting, intentional preparation, and expectation of the season.

I love Advent.

Yesterday, we lit the candle of hope as we begin this season of preparation.

I feel like there is so much that I am preparing for in my life right now. Barry and I probably only have a few more months left in the Bay Area. We are preparing for another move and yet, don’t know exactly where the move will take us. I’m preparing myself to begin to think about another move professionally. There are many other things for which we are preparing. So, this season seems appropriate yet again. In times of preparation, it is important to remember to stop, reflect, enjoy, and listen to the lessons that surround you. I pray this season of Advent will be that kind of journey for me this year.

The church where I was on staff as Associate Pastor has produced an Advent devotional written by church members and it can be found here. Also, one of my favorite organizations, PASSPORT has an online devotional that can be found here.

Where are you on your journey this season?

Jag har gjort en lista med julmusik i Spotify som är en del av den musik jag har här hemma.

Lyssna gärna du med - Min julmusik.

Vilken är den jullåt du inte kan leva utan??

Digging for our advent devotional yesterday I also found my friend Joel Armstrong’s recent book Wired (most of our books are still packed for lack of shelving). I kept it out — I’d been thinking of the book the previous week anyway — and thought this quote was good for the season.

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

The Adam Sandler movie Click was on last night, which I’d seen at some point in the past, and it reinforces Buechner’s point that even the low points in life are worth savoring, as difficult as they might be.

Life itself is grace.

Welcome to Day 2 of Advent! We’re plowing through the gospel of John now (join us and see the reading plan here),  and today’s reading is John 2. It begins with Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine at a friend’s wedding at Cana. The bride and groom have run out of wine at their reception, so Jesus steps in and (with only some servants and his mom, Mary, watching) turns the water in some urns into wine. Very good wine, in fact.

Call me nuts, but I’ve always thought this was a strange way for Jesus to begin proving that He was the Son of God, Savior of the World, Creator of the Universe, etc., etc. Water into wine? That’s the best Jesus could begin with? Doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Impressive, yes, but why didn’t Jesus start by going into a graveyard and raising a dozen people from the dead all at once, or go to a lepers’ colony and heal everyone there with a flick of the wrist? You know, like a big, awesome, Titanic-scale miracle that would outshine the best special effects modern Hollywood can produce. At first glance, there’s something about turning water into wine that seems kind of, well, small for the Almighty Messiah. But that’s only at first glance.

It occurred to me today, reading this story for the billionth time, that turning water into wine was actually the perfect way for Jesus to reveal who He was and why He was here. Turning water into wine was the perfect starter miracle for Jesus because it showed us what He is all about: transformation. Jesus transformed plain old H2O into the best wine at the party. He took something and utterly and permanently changed it. And the transformation was from the boring and everyday (water) into the perfect wine, hand-picked by Jesus, the ultimate sommelier.

Understanding the significance of Jesus’ first miracle is a key to unlocking why Jesus is worth following, what He offers that we need so dearly:  transformation. Transformation was the theme of Jesus’ message and life while He was here on Earth. Transformation is still His message to us today. In Luke 4:17-19, Jesus goes to the temple and quotes Isaiah 61 to announce that He is on a mission of transformation:

And [Jesus] was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:17-19 NKJV)

Every miracle in the Bible following the wedding at Cana is about transformation. The blind see. The deaf hear. The dead come back to life. Those who think they’re beyond any hope of salvation are welcomed back into God’s family as if they never left.

Have poverty? Jesus knows how to turn those few bucks into enough to get you through. Broken-hearted? Jesus can patch that heart back together again. Lonely? Jesus can be the friend who sticks closer than a brother to you. Stuck in bad habits and destructive patterns? Jesus can show you the way out of that seemingly hopeless maze. Anxious? Jesus can transform that anxiety into a peace you can’t even wrap your head around. Jesus can take all that we have and transform it . . . if only we will go to Him, give it to Him, and ask for His help. Jesus knows what you need – He knows which wine He should replace your water with. Jesus is a wine guru, the best of sommeliers.

This Advent, what do you need Jesus to transform in your life? Go to Him, and ask for transformation.

 Finally, as promised, today’s Charitable Gift Idea for Advent is Covenant House.  This non-profit organization has 17 houses around the world for homeless, run-away, and at-risk youth. They also have a house in DC. Covenant House has a nifty gift catalogue that shows how, for as little as five dollars, you can give a kid a holiday meal. Other gifts include blankets, toiletries, and even a full semester in community college! My first encounter with Covenant House was at DC’s Eastern Market, where I found a table of handmade wooden boxes, business card holders, and other beautiful handiwork. The table was staffed by two teenagers who told me all about the program and how all the items had been hand-crafted by a young person in the DC Covenant House’s Off the Block Artisans program.  I bought a pretty business card holder, and you can find other fine gift ideas at their blog here. 

–GalEast

Der Wichteladventskalender hängt. Die ersten Pärchen für die Weihnachtszeit haben sich gefunden. Erste Verabredungen zum Schlittschuhlaufen wurden getroffen. Mutmaßungen über etwaige Kalenderinhalte wurde angestellt. Das weihnachtliche Dauergrinsen wurde von den meisten Menschen angestellt. Die ersten Lebkuchenpackungen sind schon wieder leer. Die Proben für das Weihnachtsmusical laufen auf Hochtouren. Alles in Allem kann man durchaus sagen, dass es doch schon ziemlich weihnachtlich hier und da zu geht.  Ich bin zwar kein Fan von Weihnachten in dem Sinne, weil mir das irgendwie alles zu kitschig und fröhlich ist und da immer all gute Laune haben. Bäh. Was das an betrifft, bin ich ganz wie Mr. Darcy. Bloß keine Feierlichkeiten. Igittigitt.

Roger Hutchison – Advent

O Wisdom,
Holy Word of God
You rule all creation with power and true concern.
- Come teach us the way of salvation.

O Sacred Lord
and leader of ancient Israel
You communicated with Moses at the burning bush
and gave him the law on Mount Sinai
- Come to set us free by Your mighty arm

O Root of Jesse
raised up as a sign of all peoples
in Your presence kings become mute
and the nations worship before You
- Come to deliver us and do not delay

O Key of David
and Royal Power of Israel,
You open what no man can shut,
and You shut what no man can open.
- Come and deliver Your people
imprisoned by darkness and the shadow of death

O Radiant Dawn
You are the brightness of eternal light
and the Sun of justice.
- Come to enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death

O King of the Gentiles
and the long-for Ruler of the nations,
You are the cornerstone Who make all one.
- Come and save those whom You have created

O Emmanuel
our King and our Lawgiver
You are the Desired of the nations
and the Savior of all men.
- Come to save us, O Lord, our God!

This past Friday my sister in law woke up early to be at a local department store at 2:45 in the morning. She wanted to be part of so called “black Friday,” the day after thanksgiving shopping extravaganza that supposedly kicks off the holiday shopping season. She was there with hundreds of others who were hoping to find “great deals” on gifts out of their holiday list.

I personally do not understand it. Why would you get up so early to shop? What kind of deal is worth showing up at a department store at 2:45 in the morning? What does it say about us that this is the way that we kick off the holiday season?

This past Sunday many of my parishioners showed up to church still “high” from a few days of shopping. They spent all weekend listening to Christmas songs, seeing Christmas decorations, and buying Christmas gifts. Many woke up before dawn on Friday to get a great deal and will probably have trouble staying awake for the worship service (if they show up at all).

Instead of the loud crowds, bright decorations, and cheery music they will encounter a quiet atmosphere, purple paraments, and reflective music. They came from a Christmas world into an Advent space. There could not be a bigger contrast and for some a more difficult culture shock!

A sense of culture shock continues with the readings. The gospel has Jesus warning his disciples about the end of things. Creation, nations, and people are all a part of this in-braking, of this transformation, of this end. Jesus tells his disciples to recognize the “signs” and to be “alert.” Although all of this sounds scary, disciples of Jesus should not be afraid, instead we should “stand up and raise [our] heads, because [our] redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

All of this comes together to give us a different view of what is really needed in the world and in each of us. Gifts, spending, and long lines are not needed according to the Advent message. What is needed most is a savior.

In line there are people who are looking for something. Many look forward to this time of the year to get a reprieve from their life. Others are hoping that the gift giving, the music, and the excitement of others will rub off so that they can find the peace that they are looking for. And there are still others on the margins who observe all of this happening wondering if this year will be any different.

In the everyday of life, in the mess of things, in the brokenness of things a savior comes. God knows that in the midst of the celebration there is sadness, pain, and strife. We as people of faith are called to pay attention, and to be alert so that we can be the bearers of the good news.

Are we paying attention to the signs around us that tell us what people are searching for? Are we as people of faith too busy ourselves to recognize our own need for salvation? Are we too caught up in religious things, not noticing the groaning of creation and the silent cries of humanity?

In small ways we are being called to actively rehearse the coming of God in the world. People are obviously hungry for good news, they might not even know of their deep hunger, they might not realize that what they need is not another gift, they might not know the real reason for this time of the year. I commit to look around, to see the signs everywhere, to pay attention, to tell the world that our redemption is drawing near!

Welcome to the first week of Advent:

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:25-36

Everyone has commented this year especially that every year there seems to be a concerted effort to extend the Christmas shopping season. I don’t know if there’s anything concerted about it or not. I don’t mean to imply that there is something necessarily sinister about it. It’s just that every year it gets longer. This year it seemed to me that as soon as Halloween arrived we were asked to think of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas as the holiday season.

Now, I understand that merchants and shopkeepers certainly rely on the income from Christmas to support them business the whole year. And, I know many of them and they are not evil people. They are people who are simply trying to make a living.

Sunday, November 29, the season of Advent began with the lighting of the first Advent candle. Advent is the church’s way of saying: “slow down, take it all in, think, pray, reflect.”

Advent marks the beginning of the church’s year when we begin telling the story all over again. The color is purple and is about majesty, royalty, and repentance. The king is coming to visit; get ready. Make preparations. And, keep your eyes open for where he might appear to you.

I imagine that this year will be a little different for most of us. For one, we are given permission to think of this season and how to celebrate it with less concern for gifts and more concern with giving.

This year, some of my church folk, asked if we might do something to help children. We investigated and found that last year in Spartanburg County the Salvation Army had care for 1300 children’s Christmas needs. This year, they have some 3000 to care for.

So, we put out an angel tree with fifty children’s names and they were all picked the first Sunday. We got some more and people are still pulling them.

The problem for all of us is not that there is crass commercialization out there. We don’t have to wait for Christmas for that. There are always those out there who are simply out to get to your money.

The problem is when we don’t say anything more or give anything more or share anything more at Christmas so that the real story of Christmas is not displayed and preached and shared. So, pray, and love, and share, and give as you always do, all to the honor of the one who comes among us as a baby.

Blessings!
Dave Nichols

RCL Advent 1C: Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-26

I was reading the Revised Common Lectionary on Sunday with Luke getting all apocalyptic.  What with ” Son of Man coming on cloud”, “seas roaring, consider the trees… signs of the times etc.  With our hottest November since 1868 being announced it is hard not to think of leadership and authority as world leaders approach Copenhagen and confront the apocalypse that is climate change.  

Mindful also this weekend of  the storm clouds brewing amongst the Australian Federal Liberal Opposition who are risking seeming electoral apocalypse as they wait the results of a leadership spill motion brought on by their anti action on climate change faction.

Interestingly Christ Pantokrator is the oldest of Christian Icons and can be translated as Christ “All Powerful” and/or “Sustainer of the World.”  Been thinking hard about the Christian hope lately… How might an understanding of a present and powerful God willing the earth into original and ongoing existence shape our response to the issues, ETS debates etc?  How might it help  us think clearly, act courageously and sustain hope in the midst of political chaos and compromise?

Yet Advent calls us to lay down our pride and take up the humility of Christ. We’re reminded that

The Mighty One…has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:49-53, NRSV)

So, don’t give into the temptation to make everything self-absorbed and self-enriching. Instead, practice humility today. Follow in the footsteps of Mary, who rejoiced in the God who turns things upside down!

Having a hard time? Check out these tips from Christine Ereiser, OSB on Twitter: they’re good attitude adjustments.

Hi Leute,

Komisch das 5899 nie was schreibt oder? Naja aber ich wollte nur mal ankündigen dass am 2. Advent also 6. Dezember die 1. und 2. Advents-Strophe kommt. Das wars eigentlich. Ich mache jetzt noch ein paar Seiten in den Blog.
Bye Bye

Haltet eure Pandaohren gespannt!

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent and as we begin the countdown of the Christmas Season, Dan Bair began by preaching on “Surprise Children.”  For me, I often forget about the other miraculous births in the Bible and simply remember the virgin birth of Jesus.  But what Dan showed us is that God has a pattern in the past that gives us hope for the future.  Jesus’ birth was miraculous and historical.  And what’s surprising is how Jesus’ birth was missed by most Jews despite their knowledge of all of the miraculous births in the Old Testament.

The virgin birth of Jesus is the only one of its kind.  But the barren births of key players in the Old Testament display the pattern of God’s plan to bring Jesus into the world.  Check this out:

Sarah gives birth to Isaac who is the son of promise.

Rebekah gives birth to Jacob who becomes the name of a people.

Rachel gives birth to Joseph who becomes the savior of his family.

Manoah’s wife gives birth to Samson who is a judge of strength.

Hannah gives birth to Samuel who is a king maker.

Elizabeth gives birth to John who is a forerunner to the king.

Mary gives birth to Jesus who is all of the above.

Advent 2009.

Lectionary Readings:

1st Sunday of Advent

Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8 1 Thess 5:1-11 Luke 21:5-19

Here we go folks, the first Sunday in Advent.

Introduction to Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means “coming” and in this season we prepare for the coming of Christ. One of the ways we prepare for his coming is by making an Advent wreath and lighting its candles to remind us of the gifts Christ brings to the world.

The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us think about Christ and his gifts. The wreath itself is in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. This reminds us that there is no beginning and no end to God and that God’s love and caring are forever.

The light from the candles – which grows stronger each Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Each light represents a particular aspect of life which we are called to reflect upon as we prepare for celebration of the birth of Christ and as we look to his return. We light this candle to remember those who waited in hope for the Messiah. We light one candle and hope that the brightness will grow as we travel through Advent to Christmas.

We light the first candle to remember those who waited in hope for the Messiah. We light one candle and hope that the brightness will grow as we travel through Advent to Christmas.

1st Candle.jpg

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Let us pray: Thank you God for the hope you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with each other.

We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.

A Candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,

a candle of hope in December’s dark night.

While angels sing blessing from heaven’s starry sky,

our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

Bless each and every person as we ask these things in and through the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen

The reading for this morning are not words to make people feel content and cosy. The Amos reading and the Luke reading both speak of a judgement and hardships, but they also conclude with a reward for the true people of God.

We are warned of things to come, trials and persecution to name just two, but we are also reminded that we are not in control of God’s history but we take part in it. I am a controller, I am a planner, but for someone like me it is a real freedom and liberation to know that someone else far greater than I is in control. It means I have responsibilities, but it also means that as long as I have that relationships with God, I along with others can have a peace beyond understanding knowing that God watches over His people and guides us. We are to be expectant, regardless of the date and time of His return.

Mon Nov 30

Amos 2:6-16 2 Peter 1:1-11 Matt 21:1-11

Today’s reading follows a simialr vain to yesterday. We are called out of something to be something else, a people of compassion and community. We are called to encourage and be encouraged by what Jesus has done for us by reflecting him in attitude together. Just like then, we today are doing our own ‘out of Egypt’ journey from an exile into a freedom…. but it isn’t just about my journey, it’s about other people who are at different stages of that same journey (even if they don’t realise it)… it is about a personal and community in holiness…. this song below is about the consumer Christmas that we see every day, but also a responsibility to be salt and light to others….

We are called to think of others and not just of ourselves, that is what being prophetic means. It means not just thinking, not just seeing, but doing. God is an active God amongst His creation.

Jesus, we thank you for Giving up so much, for so many.

We remember where you came from to live amongst us, we remember that you humbled yourself, and you did it willingly and obediantly. Help us to do the same, help us by your Spirit to guide us where you want us to be, and follow the bright light that is You. Just like those people who knew something was special but didn’t fully understand and yet followed you.

We ask that you guide us, and be with us according to your promises, Amen

Welcome back from Thanksgiving, everyone! On Friday, Christmas shopping picked up in earnest, and on Sunday, the Christian year began with the season of Advent. The latter observance is a beautiful occasion in the parish of this blog’s authors, for we dust off timeless Advent classics. Not Christmas carols, mind you–those are reserved for our special Lessons and Carols service and otherwise for the season of Christmas, which begins December 25. No, I’m talking about Advent hymns: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” and “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.”

(May we also put in a good word for Catherine Winkworth’s beautiful translation of Johann Olearius’s hymn based on Isaiah 40, “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People“?)

Of course, this blog is nothing if not relentlessly misanthropic, so we cannot wax on about the beauty of Advent hymnody. However, it was hard to find a Christmas Spirit Fail that is actually about Advent. But fear not: your relentless team of bloggers has unearthed “21st Century Advent,” by a serendipitously named Dutch band “This Beautiful Mess.” (The last word of the name is the serendipitous part.) You can find it here. I think it’s fair to say this will not become part of the Advent canon.

The Arrival of the Shepherds (Henry Lerolle)

Planning music for the advent season is always a compromise between enjoying and reinforcing the traditional and looking for music and liturgy that will cut through to the heart of creating brimming expectation for Jesus.  Savior of the Nations, Come is a fairly obscure but ancient hymn that beautifully reflects the themes of advent as well as reinforcing the tenants of the Apostles Creed, the humility of Christ (Phil 2), His Intercession, and the gloried anticipation of his expected return.

Savior of the Nations, Come is an ancient hymn written by Ambrose (4th cent.)  Ambrose is a well known Latin Father, preacher and mentor of Augustine.   As early as 372ad Augustine attributes this hymn to the hand of Ambrose, originally composed in Latin as “Veni, Redemptor gentium.”  Martin Luther picks up this text in 1523 and as part of his reformation translates it into German for his congregations.  It is today probably one of the most beloved german advent hymns. It was first translated into English by William Reynolds in 1851.  This translation comes from Calvin Seerveld who prepared it for the Psalter Hymnal (1984).  See “The Hymnary” for more great info.

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Savior of the Nations, Come
mp3 | Leadsheet | capo

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1.Savior of the nations, come,

Show yourself, the virgin’s son.

Marvel heaven, wonder earth,

That our God chose such a birth.

2.Not by human power or seed

Did the woman’s womb conceive;

Only by the Spirit’s breath

Was the Word of God made flesh.

3.Mary then was found with child,

Still a virgin, chaste and mild.

God had favored her with grace

To receive the Prince of Peace.

4.Christ laid down his majesty,

Passed through dark Gethsemane.

Though he left his Father’s home,

Christ now sits on God’s own throne.

5.Christ in glory intercede

For your creatures’ suffering need.

Let your resurrecting power

Soon complete the victory hour.

6.Praise to you, O Lord, we sing.

Praise to Christ, our newborn King!

With the Father, Spirit, one,

Let your lasting kingdom come.

—

Text: Ambrose, 4^th cent., and Martin Luther, 1523;

Translation. Calvin Seerveld, 1984 ©

Tune: Enchiridia, Erfurt, 1524

© 1987 CRC Publications