Advent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I have been posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent and will finish this series on Thursday.WhiteMany churches light an Advert wreath during this time of expectation before Christmas. In my church we light the next candle during the children’s sermon, telling the story of each week.The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. In the center of the wreath shines the white Christ candle. Usually this candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with all five candles … [Read more...]
God Never Fails – Lectio Divina
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth … [Read more...]
Christmas Quote – The All of Christmas
Image by paparutzi via FlickrGod grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; The warmth of Christmas, which is love;The radiance of Christmas, which is purity;The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;The belief in Christmas, which is truth;The all of Christmas, which is Christ. --Wilda English … [Read more...]
Themes of Advent – Pay Attention! Something Greater is Coming!
Image via WikipediaAdvent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I will be posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent.The word Advent means coming or arrival. This season calls us to focus on Jesus’ coming as a baby in Bethlehem and His second coming when He returns.Our noisy culture that values busyness demands we turn our attention to the glint and glitter and not the true Light of Advent. Advent means to be aware. To pay attention. To be awaken like the shepherds.To be alert like the Wise Men. To anticipate something special that deep down we know will be a life changing wonder.The birth of the Messiah, the son of God. Advent is a season of looking forward, anticipating something Greater. I love this prayer by Henri Nouwen:Lord Jesus,Master of both the light and the darkness,Send … [Read more...]
The Colors of Advent – Pink
Image by Lawrence OP via FlickrPinkAdvent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I will be posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent.Newborns bring to mind the color of pink and blue. I would have never thought of these colors for the season of Advent before until I began this blog series.Last week I featured blue – the color of hope and anticipation. Today is PINK.Yes pink. Pink symbolizes joy and happiness. In various churches it is used either for the third or fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy at the impending birth of Jesus.Yesterday at church we lit the third candle of the Advent wreath and it was pink. The pink candle marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundays of Advent that focus on Preparation and Hope, to a more joyous atmosphere of anticipation … [Read more...]
Come, Lord Jesus
Image by doug88888 via FlickrHe who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 Come, Lord Jesus.Yes Come, Lord, Jesus.In this time of year as we approach the celebration of Your birth – we know you have come once before and will come once again.Come Lord Jesus.Draw closer so we can see You clearer.Cross the thresholds of our hearts so we love you more.Reach for our hands so we serve You better.May our steps match Yours and follow only in Your paths.May we only see Your face as we face the difficulties in life.Come Lord Jesus.Help me to see You as You are – Savior, King, Master, LoverSlow me down so I don’t miss You. Hush the noise in my heart – I want to hear You.Come Lord Jesus.I know I really don’t have to summon You – You are already here.You wait, though, for my open hand and my obedient heart to turn to receive all Your love.I know You are already present whether I sense You or not. Bidden or unbidden You arrive to save us. … [Read more...]
Advent Prelude – Quote of the Week
“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart…The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” Frederick Buechner … [Read more...]
Themes of Advent – Prepare
Image by Calsidyrose via FlickrAdvent is the four weeks preceding Christmas and is a time of waiting and preparation for the arrival of the Christ Child. More and more church traditions are celebrating this special time of year. The next few weeks I will be posting information and reflections about the colors and meaning of Advent.PrepareHow do you prepare for Christmas? I make lists – lists of gifts to buy, cards to send, goodies to make to share with neighbors and friends. I double-check the calendar when we will see the kids. With adult children there are multiple schedules to coordinate – not a simple as it once was.But I stop now and ponder: how do I really prepare myself spiritually for Christmas?I have an advent devotional that to be honest, lies unopened on my nightstand. We have been traveling so I haven’t attended the Advent services on Wednesday night held at my church. I don’t feel prepared for Advent at all. Too often we miss Advent's power … [Read more...]