WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SUNDAY
On this final Sunday of Advent, we continue our commemoration of the 200th anniversary of “Silent Night, Holy Night,”
Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend the light;
with the angels let us sing,
“Alleluia” to our King:
“Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
The word is “joy.” The Scripture is the beautiful and prophetic pronouncement of Mary known at The Magnificat (Luke 1:39-56). Her strong words of trust and joy show how she was grounded in her awareness of her purpose and of God’s. In these days may we similarly seek the commitments of joy beyond the feelings of the seasonal tinsel so that we may know a consistency of peace rather than the turmoil of moodiness. The music will be led by Nate, the choir, and the praise band. You will hear some Christmas favorites and a beautiful version of “Still, Still, Still”. We hope to see you at 10 a.m. this Sunday.
As we draw near to the birth of Christ, I offer this prayer:
O God, tis the season to be joyful because you did not wait for us to come to you but you made your way into our human experience to know us, lift us and show us a new way to love one another.
So we come in this season and gather to remember the value of a baby and the importance of a poor family. In a manger and a stable may we discover that love could be so strong and tender as to cause heavenly beings to bow in awe of your work through human beings. In so doing you changed our expectations of ourselves and others.
So now we say let there be peace on earth and goodwill towards all. Now we believe that our lives and our choices can usher in the presence and power of God.
Let us be the inn keeper and not the king. Let us be Joseph and not those who counseled him to put away a vulnerable and pregnant woman. Let us be the shepherds who listen to the directions of God and not the soldiers who followed orders of a corrupt king. Let us choose to love, believe and be people of faith instead of doubt. We praise your name, O God!
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