Author: Mari Walker

Luke 3: 7-18 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same. “ Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked “What should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely-be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.n

n

n

n

n

n

Lighting of the Advent Wreath for the Home – Week 3

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Luke 3:7-18 Then John said to the crowds who came to be baptized by him, “You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. And don’t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham’s children from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire.”
n
nThe crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”
n
nHe answered, “Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.”
n
nEven tax collectors came to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?”
n
nHe replied, “Collect no more than you are authorized to collect.”
n
nSoldiers asked, “What about us? What should we do?”
n
nHe answered, “Don’t cheat or harass anyone, and be satisfied with your pay.”
n
nThe people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people.
n
n1. Take a few moments in silence to center yourself. Consider what you desire from this encounter with God.
n2. Read the scripture passage twice, slowly, so the details become familiar.
n3. Close your eyes and imagine what is going on. What do you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Touch?*
n4. What emotions rise up for you? Does anything in particular cause a reaction for you?*
n5. Where do you see yourself in the scripture?*
n6. What questions or thoughts bubble up?
n7. Close this time by talking honestly to God about your experience.
n
n*If you are practicing this with children, offering them crayons and paper to draw the scripture is a good way for them engage with the scripture.

Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
n
n“Advent” makes us think of:
n
nChristmas
nAdvent Festival
nHoly
nCandles
nWreaths
nPrayer
nCalendars
nWise Men
nPreparation
nIsrael
nBirth
nCamel
nJesus
nMary
nGold
nFrankincense
nMyrrh
nHosanna in the Highest
n
nHow we practice Advent:
n

n
• Lighting candles in the Advent Wreath in Sunday School

n

• Praying when we are together in worship services

n

• Going to Church and actively participating

n

• Lighting the Christmas Tree

n

• Setting out the Nativity scene

n

• Read Bible Stories

n

nI hope this Advent season that I will:
n

n
• Stop being preoccupied with school because it stresses me out, and I don’t want to be stressed

n

• Be closer to God

n

• Focus on the true meaning, not on possessions and all the social stuff

n

• Focus on the more spiritual part of Advent and Christmas

n

• Devote more time to the meaning of Advent and Christmas

n

• Get closer to other people and help people

n

• Keep Christ in Christmas

n

• Focus on having everlasting life

n

n

Revelation 1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Advent is a time of waiting for Jesus to be born, so all the things on the Chrismon tree have to do with Jesus being born. Each Chrismon has a symbol on it that represents Christ. What is your favorite Chrismon on the Chrismon Tree? Mine is the crown on top. The crown represents Jesus our King. There are a bunch of Chrismons on the Chrismon tree:

Seashell—A seashell makes me think of water, and in the Church we use water for Baptism. The seashell represents Baptism.

Fish—The fish represents Jesus. It is one of the oldest Christian symbols and some of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen.

Butterfly—A butterfly is for new life. A butterfly is on the Chrismon Tree because during Advent we are waiting for Jesus to be born. Also, when butterflies are around, it’s during the spring which is a time of new life. When we believe in Christ, we have new life in Him.

Manger—We put a manger on the Chrismon Tree because Jesus was born in a manger. The manger was a humble place to be born, and Jesus came as a humble king.

Alpha and Omega—When Advent ends, we have a new beginning when Christ is born at Christmas. Alpha and Omega are the beginning and the end. As Christians, we believe that Christ is the beginning and the end of all things.

Chrismons are Awesome Sauce! Chrismons help us remember the life of Jesus Christ and help us focus on Jesus as we wait for him to be born at Christmas.

Prayer: Dear God, help us be patient as we wait for Jesus to be born during Advent. Let the Chrismons remind us of your Son’s birth, and help us be focused on Him. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Elizabeth Shoup, 8 

Mark 9:36-37He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’

‘Van’ and his brother were the first to arrive at Grace Camp, dropped off an hour and a half early by a relative – cute little boys, nine and ten, with closely cropped hair and bright eyes. The children who are invited to come to a week of carefree summer fun are children from families shattered by incarceration. The Grace Camp staff rarely knows the back story of any child, only that Daddy or Mama or maybe brother is in prison, and things at home and school are very sad and difficult. 

As soon as the other campers began to arrive, Van began acting out in very aggressive ways. He looked for opportunities to shove another child or jump ahead in line. The energy he poured into antagonizing his fellow campers was profound, and in the cabin at night it seemed that he was playing the starring role in his own personal nightmare. Reasoning and reprimanding had no effect on Van. His errant behavior indicated deep-seated troubles.

The staff was totally perplexed as to how to help Van adjust to and enjoy the week of fun that had been so carefully and prayerfully planned for him and the others. One of the support staffers, a child herself, a child who has suffered the deprivations of love and security for many years, led the way.

Macie took Van into her lap, held him tight against his desperate struggles, and gently ran her fingers through his short hair over and over.
Van surely sensed through those gentle strokes the love and compassion for a fellow sufferer that Macie offered. He also began – very slowly- to recognize the understanding and acceptance in the faces of both staff and fellow campers.

Van enjoyed his week of swimming and games and singing. It wasn’t always smooth. There were renewed instances of shoving and hitting, but Macie stood in the gap each time and showed him the way back to peace and calm.
When his relative loaded Van and his brother into the truck to drive away that last morning, the Grace Camp staffers waved until the truck was out of sight. Five minutes later, however, the truck roared back down the camp’s gravel road. The driver jumped out, and with a bit of hostility approached the director asking what terrible thing had happened to Van at this camp. He said that the little boy who NEVER cries was weeping inconsolably. After a brief conversation, everybody realized that Van simply didn’t want to leave camp. Little Van, wounded in ways we will never know, had felt his heart opened by the love of Jesus shown to him at Grace Camp.

Prayer: Loving Abba, father of all, at this special time of the year, as we anticipate the joy of family gatherings filled with love and mutual support, fill our hearts with concern and compassion for the children of our community and the world who long so desperately for love and stability in their lives. Amen.

Betty Schroeder

O God,I have never known you to coerce, to punish, or to condemn, but you have made me wait.It was the waiting of a pregnant Mother sensing a new birth.

You have made me wonder, But it was the anticipation of one longing for a vision of the next great gift of love.
You have made me cry,but it was the cleansing of an
inner soul too full of itself.

So, Dear God, when next the night comes and the wind howls, I will remember that waiting has been worth it, wondering has been fulfilling, crying has made me deeper. In the name of the One who is Mystery itself.
Amen.

Rev. John Winn
in For All Seasons

Ephesians 3:17b – 19…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Regardless of sight or blindness, regardless of knowledge or ignorance, the walk of my life has been a walk with Christ to the Father, as He calls me deeper still to Him with each and every step I take. Mesmerized by the flame of God’s great love – in my sight, in my ears, in my mind, in my heart – I am drawn from my core to the beautifully inescapable, perfect light. 
I am loved by Him.  

Regardless of the distractions in my periphery that endeavor to pull my attention away from Him, He calls to me above all and draws me nearer to Him. He made the eyes of my heart to gaze ever upon Him.  
I am loved by Him. 

As I proceed on this journey, and I think about who I am as I walk to Bethlehem, and what gift I might bring the newborn King, all that I am in this world fades, as all that is needed to define me is the most sufficient “I am loved by Him.”

I have no gold or frankincense or myrrh, and I feel less like a king and more like the little drummer boy, but without even a drum. The only gift I have to bring Him is my life – my heart, my mind, my soul; my hands and my feet. All of me; take all of me, my King. Let this be my gift to you. Prayerfully I ask, Father, make me a worthy gift.

Jesus, our King. He was born to die. And rise. For me. For you.  
We are so loved by Him.
What a big, amazing love. How can I do anything but respond in-kind and gift my life to Him, for others, in return?

Prayer: God my great and heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of Jesus – perfect love made alive in this world – walking among us and living within us. I pray, Father, that I may be consumed by your Holy Spirit and fueled by its flame to serve You and your children as a light unto the world, as I long to serve and worship you forever and ever. Fill me to the measure of Your fullness. In Jesus’ name, use me, O God, according to your great purpose. Amen.

Natalie Cooper

Luke 3:2b-6“[T]he word of God came to John … in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

John was out in the wilderness – he was not playing around. He was aware that time was running out and he was on a mission to warn people. People just like you and me, distracted by many superficial things, came out to see this strange wild man preaching repentance. They were intrigued by surface level things, just like us, by his camel hair suit, his crazy hair, his homemade leather belt, and his passionate and challenging message of repentance. I can imagine that people wanted to talk to him and then would go gossip, telling all of their friends about their remarkable experience of talking to the wild man, much like we might do today. Do you recognize this self-absorbed journey? I certainly do. 

John’s message was clear: REPENT. Repent? Why are we reading about repenting at Christmas time? Christmas is supposed to be all about the cute baby Jesus, and carols, and presents, and food, and family get-togethers, and shopping! Yet, John calls us to REPENT as we approach Christmas. He calls us to REPENT our way to a Merry Christmas.

Advent means “coming” and it requires a thoughtful and reflective approach to the coming of God into human form. Consider preparing for Christmas this year by repenting. It’s more than just having a change of heart or a feeling of regret. Repentance is a turning away from ourselves, and in simple trust and faith in God’s grace, turning back to Him. John calls us away from our worries and puts our lives into perspective … actually, God’s perspective. John says prepare for the Advent – the coming of Jesus. God knew the world of John and Jesus and He knows our world. He is calling us to turn to Him this Advent season so that we may have joy this Christmas. Oh, how we long for joy! Let us turn away from our self-absorbed worries of this world and simply trust in God as we journey through this Advent season together. 

Prayer: Spirit of God, make the way straight for us to hear and believe your word, for your word is truth and life and the path to joy. Amen.
Theresa Sandifer

Lighting of the Advent Wreath for the Home – Week 2 

PREPARATION 

The first week of Advent has passed. We are caught up in a season of hectic activity. There is so much to do, so many preparations to make. It was no different in the days before the first Christmas. In their home in Nazareth, Joseph and Mary too were caught up in preparations. Joseph had to get ready for the long trip south to register for a census. Mary was preparing for the birth of her child. Together they faced the challenge of a long walk to Bethlehem. 
Last week, we lighted the first candle in our Advent Wreath. Today we light the candle of HOPE again and also light the second candle, the candle of PREPARATION. 

We continue our preparation for the coming of Christ, our spiritual walk to Bethlehem in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph.

Luke 3:1-6 (CEB)In the fifteenth year of the rule of the emperor Tiberius—when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea and Herod was ruler[a] over Galilee, his brother Philip was ruler over Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was ruler over Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—God’s word came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. John went throughout the region of the Jordan River, calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. This is just as it was written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
A voice crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled.
The crooked will be made straight
and the rough places made smooth.
All humanity will see God’s salvation.”

1. Take a few moments in silence to center yourself. Consider what you desire from this encounter with God. 
2. Read the scripture passage twice, slowly, so the details become familiar.
3. Close your eyes and imagine what is going on. What do you see? Hear? Smell? Taste? Touch?*
4. What emotions rise up for you? Does anything in particular cause a reaction for you?*
5. Where do you see yourself in the scripture?*
6. What questions or thoughts bubble up?
7. Close this time by talking honestly to God about your experience.

*If you are practicing this with children, offering them crayons and paper to draw the scripture is a good way for them engage with the scripture.

Mark 13:31-32Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

My father-in-law counted cars. He counted cars when he was waiting for someone to come to his house. In the days before cell phones there was no way to know the exact time when a guest would arrive for a visit. So Jug Palmer counted cars and hoped that the next car would bring the anxiously awaited visitor. 

Now when Jug counted, he counted with hope. My father-in-law counted cars when a family member or friends promised to come. He lived in the hope that the visitor would arrive. What he did not know, however, was the precise moment of arrival. Jug counted cars and hoped that the next car was the promised one.

I remember going to Marie’s home feeling the welcome of someone waiting for us whit hope fulfilled. It was always a blessing to know that he was waiting and expecting us. In the car Marie and I would often smile when we thought of someone prepared, ready, and waiting to receive us with open arms and an open heart.During this season of Advent we are encouraged to live in hope and expectation that Jesus is coming. He came long ago to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Let us count the moments and hours as we wait with eager expectation for Christ to come again in our hearts.

And you might want to try counting cars as you wait for your guests this Advent and Christmas Season. It helps the excitement build.

Prayer: God of all times, give us faith to live in hope of your coming into our lives this Christmas season. Give us patience to wait with eager expectation of your coming. Amen.

Rev. John Williams
Advent 2008