As I write this article Thanksgiving is still a few days away. Yet, it has already begun in my home. Has it started in yours? If you have children, you know what I am talking about. “Mom, I know what I want for Christmas.” “Could I have a (insert fantasy gift here) for Christmas?” “Mom, I just have to have a … for Christmas.” And on and on it goes. It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet and the Christmas wish list is already growing very long!
In a matter of days, the rush of our materialistic world will come crashing in on us and we will start the quest to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone we care about. The stress of the current economic situation in our world will become magnified. We just have to find the perfect gift!!! I’d like to suggest an idea for this year. Take a moment and give your heart to those you care about. Write them a letter, or sing them a song, or make a special dish. Do we really need one more thing that eventually will end up in the church’s boutique? (Of course the UMW ladies will gladly receive all unwanted gifts for their rummage sale scheduled for January 31st.)
I am reminded of a Christmas Carol, “In the bleak midwinter.” It is one of my favorite carols, but it isn’t sung very often.
When I was a younger woman at Centenary it seemed that whenever this hymn was scheduled to be sung in worship we would have a horrible snow storm and only a very few people would make it to church that day. It isn’t that I am superstitious but, I have to admit that I am somewhat reluctant to schedule it for us sing, just in case it really does cause blizzards. The third verse in the carol is my favorite. “What shall I give him, poor as l am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. What I can, I give him; give him my heart.”
And that is exactly what I think is on God’s wish list for this Christmas…not the fancy new games, or toys, or jewelry, or gift cards. Just something simple that each of us can give no matter the status of our bank account. God would just like our heart.
May this Advent season be full of the giving of your heart to God and to those you love. I bet that you will find it to be one of your best Advent seasons ever.
Blessings on your journey.
Pastor Kathleen
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Time with Sharon: The Drama of Advent
The Drama of Advent, What are we waiting for?
December 2008
This year, the Season of Advent begins November 30th. Similar to how businesses start their fiscal years on January 1st, Advent is the theological start of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It runs for four Sundays before Christmas Day, and ends at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of preparation…and of longing, not unlike getting ready for the arrival of a cherished, long-awaited visitor to your home. Spiritually, there is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt over 3000 years ago as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is grounded in the hope that was once anticipated by our Hebrew ancestors, and now experienced anew in our day, of the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice to the world. Today, we still long for God’s Kingdom to come, when God’s will shall be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Through the four Sundays of Advent, the excitement builds as our anticipation grows for the coming of the Christ Child. We traditionally begin the First Sunday with the Hanging of the Green, decorating the Sanctuary with evergreen wreaths, boughs, and a tree twinkling with lights that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. Each Sunday, a candle of the Advent Wreath is lit, and the emphasis moves from hope, to peace, joy, and then love. On Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle is lit, and the light of Christ breaks through the darkness to bring new light to the world!
Just as we prepare the Sanctuary, the experience of each week in worship is important in our soul’s preparation. Together, we will study the ancient scriptures, share the music of the season, and eat lots of Christmas cookies. All are invited to give the Christ Child gifts of warm hats and mittens shared with our neighbors, gifts of clothes and toys for the families of the south city through Kingdom House, and a delicious meal for the ladies of Shalom House. If you miss even one week, you will miss out on the joy of learning, decorating, sharing, munching, and giving that are the hallmarks of this special season of the year. I challenge you to make it your Advent gift to yourself and others to be present in worship every Sunday during Advent and to participate in the sharing the light of the world during our Christmas Eve Worship Service.
What are we waiting for? We’re waiting for God. Be there.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Sharon
December 2008
This year, the Season of Advent begins November 30th. Similar to how businesses start their fiscal years on January 1st, Advent is the theological start of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It runs for four Sundays before Christmas Day, and ends at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of preparation…and of longing, not unlike getting ready for the arrival of a cherished, long-awaited visitor to your home. Spiritually, there is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt over 3000 years ago as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is grounded in the hope that was once anticipated by our Hebrew ancestors, and now experienced anew in our day, of the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice to the world. Today, we still long for God’s Kingdom to come, when God’s will shall be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Through the four Sundays of Advent, the excitement builds as our anticipation grows for the coming of the Christ Child. We traditionally begin the First Sunday with the Hanging of the Green, decorating the Sanctuary with evergreen wreaths, boughs, and a tree twinkling with lights that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. Each Sunday, a candle of the Advent Wreath is lit, and the emphasis moves from hope, to peace, joy, and then love. On Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle is lit, and the light of Christ breaks through the darkness to bring new light to the world!
Just as we prepare the Sanctuary, the experience of each week in worship is important in our soul’s preparation. Together, we will study the ancient scriptures, share the music of the season, and eat lots of Christmas cookies. All are invited to give the Christ Child gifts of warm hats and mittens shared with our neighbors, gifts of clothes and toys for the families of the south city through Kingdom House, and a delicious meal for the ladies of Shalom House. If you miss even one week, you will miss out on the joy of learning, decorating, sharing, munching, and giving that are the hallmarks of this special season of the year. I challenge you to make it your Advent gift to yourself and others to be present in worship every Sunday during Advent and to participate in the sharing the light of the world during our Christmas Eve Worship Service.
What are we waiting for? We’re waiting for God. Be there.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Sharon
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