Luke 1.46-55

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He 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.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

Following the birth of my second son, I experienced a tremendous sense of euphoria. I was filled with so much joy, I remained awake for hours. Even though my body was tired, I could barely contain myself. I laughed, I cried, I squealed with delight.
I imagine that Mary experienced a similar joy—a joy that could not be contained in words but could only be expressed through a song.
On Christmas Day we celebrate with Mary that God comes among us, and in so doing, God is working with people to change the world into something better. We join our voices singing our own magnificat:

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Savior reigns.
Let us our songs employ.
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness,
and wonders of his love.

(hymn text by Isaac Watts, 1719)

Prayer
Deo Gracias! Thanks be to you, O God, for your most amazing gift. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Sherri Dees

Luke 1.39-45
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

I was filled with anticipation, excitement, and joy when I found out that our family was growing. We were going to be grandparents. I couldn’t wait to share the good news with family and friends. Emails, phone calls, and notes went out far and wide announcing our news. The news of the baby became more precious and exciting as it was shared with others. I imagine that Mary must have felt the same way. She journeyed to visit Elizabeth to share her good news. Can’t you feel Elizabeth’s joy and delight knowing, without words that Mary was expecting the Son of God?

Let us open our hearts and minds so that we too may feel the anticipation, excitement and joy as we wait for the birth of the baby Jesus. Let us share with others all the love and promise this good news brings. During this Advent season remember what God has promised us through his son. Remember the joy that Mary and Elizabeth felt during this time of waiting and preparing. Take time to reflect on our blessings including the biggest blessing of all, the love of God through his son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Thank you for bringing joy into the world by coming among us yourself, God. Help me, Lord, to be open to your movement in my life and in the world. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Cynthia Lopuszynski

Hebrews 10.5-10
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt-offerings and sin-offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, “See, God, I have come to do your will, O God”
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).’
When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt-offerings and sin-offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘See, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Imagine being one of a multitude of people worldwide working for improvement in the social condition and economic reality of God’s people, as well as the Earth they inhabit. In Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken takes a close look at all the efforts of caring people everywhere and finds it the largest movement the world has ever seen. No one knows the actual size of the movement, but it brings hope and help to billions of people. You might say this multitude of caring people has heard the message of Advent, the promise of new life. And through our joint efforts at RCLPC, we are part of that movement.

In today’s scripture verses, Christ rejects sacrifices and burnt offerings as what God would want of us, and then Hebrews’ author restates that thought, making sure we’re paying attention. Christ has set aside the old laws and established a new order. This new order—a life of kindness, compassion, and love—starts in our homes, churches, and communities, spreading to God’s loved children throughout the world.

During communion earlier in December, the choir sang “A Place at the Table”. It speaks of justice for everyone… woman and man, young and old, just and unjust. Clean water, bread, shelter, safe places. Fairness, freedom, forgiveness. I can rarely sing those words without tears in my eyes. What a world that will be! For us to be “creators of justice and joy” is surely a tall order, a challenge as we live each day of our lives, and an incredible calling.

As Advent culminates in Jesus’ birth, we find we aren’t bystanders at the manger but instead participants in the unfolding of God’s kingdom of love and peace. The promise of new life, filled with justice and joy, awaits our hearts, hands, and feet.

Prayer
Gracious God, guide my steps from the manger to my home and my neighbors, wherever they may be, and however I may be a creator of justice and joy. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Lois Johnson

Psalm 80.1-7
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.

“I positively know what I need, when it should be done and how it would best be delivered! It is my life after all, so I’m most qualified to know my needs, aren’t I?” Sometimes my prayer requests sound more like I’m ordering from a menu with the expectations that the food from my server (God) be delivered as ordered (and promptly too!). Depending upon how “hungry” I am, when there is nothing brought to my table in a timely manner and I am left waiting, then anxiety, frustration and even anger can set in.

In today’s scripture the Psalmist begs for the miraculous power that only God can deliver to save them from their despair and sorrow. They have been praying in earnest, doesn’t God hear them? There is a disconnect between their desperation and God’s apparent silence and this makes the Psalmist cry out with confusion and despair. Knowing the capabilities of what God can do and seeing no result is maddening to them and I think we can all relate.

There are so many times our hearts are heavy when we see family members, friends and colleagues struggling for just a bit of hope, healing and joy. Is it too much to ask that God intervene with a small dose of health, wholeness and restoration for those close to us or even for ourselves? I don’t think so, as praying to God is our Christian response to the needs around us. But Advent reminds us that the answer to what we feel is needed isn’t always the answer. We must wait. And we may never get the solution we believe is needed or possibly never an answer at all.

So as we wait for our “ordered” meal to be delivered to our table, instead of concentrating on our own “hunger” we must look around at the tables around us to see what may be needed and what we might possibly be able to bring to their table. As we do this, I believe the season of Advent promises us that a five star meal will be put down in front of us when we aren’t even looking for it and it will be more delicious than we could ever imagine!

Prayer
God, help me to keep praying even when it seems there is no answer…and help me to answer when you are calling back to me in my prayer. Bring peace, bring justice, bring food to the hungry, bring your comfort and healing to all. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Joan Jensema

Micah 5.2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah
who are little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose origin is from of old
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in travail has brought forth,
then the rest of his brethren shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the
strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.

And this shall be peace.

Throughout the book of Micah, the prophet tries unceasingly to convince Israel and Judah to behave according to the word of God. He lists the evils that consume them – the greed of the rich who drive widows from their homes and steal children’s rights; the leaders who bribe and take bribes; the worship of false idols; the use of extortion and fraud for unfair gain; the lying and the violence that fill their lives. Because of these behaviors, he announces that they will suffer and be enslaved by their enemies until God decides once again to forgive them and to bring those who remain, back to their true home. God will send them a new leader to be born in Bethlehem, “And this shall be peace.”

Much of Micah sounds eerily like today’s news – greed, fraud, lying, war and violence – and we are still waiting for peace in all parts of the world. This desire for peace is certainly not new. The Bible speaks of it often. In Ecclesiastes “ there is a time for war and a time for peace.” Psalms tells us “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Isaiah promises us that a child will be born who will be “The Prince of Peace.” And Matthew tells us, “blessed are the peacemakers.” But the world we inhabit now, is anything but peaceful. History tells us that both war and violence have filled the 2000 years since Jesus came to us. So how are we to understand Micah, and his promise of peace?

I have to believe that although Christ was the promise of peace, only we can really make it happen. With Christ acting through us, we can work for peace at the world level, in our communities and families, and, most important of all, within ourselves. Thomas Merton says that, “We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves.“ Every year as we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded again of the promise of peace when we listen to the beautiful music of the season and hear the familiar words from the Bible. It is our opportunity to take a deep breath and feel the fresh promise of a newborn child and to renew the hope that maybe this will be the year that we will all see, “Peace on earth, good will to men.”

Prayer
God, thank you for the promise of peace that Christ brings to us. Help us to feel Your peace in our hearts and to work for Your peace in our world.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Joan Black

Philippians 4.4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice in the Lord always.” We should feel happiness and joy in God. “The Lord is near,” they tell us. Feel joy and happiness that God is near us. That is Advent! God is so close to us at this time. One week until we celebrate a miracle that surpasses all understanding. God has given his son to us to help save us. Despite all of our concerns and worries, God is here to say that everything will be just fine.

But I, as an imperfect human, don’t quite get it. “Do not worry, about anything,” this verse says. Really, nothing? That is so hard for me to wrap my head around. I come from a family of worriers. We worry that everyone is safe, we worry about our health, and we worry about how we are doing in our jobs. We worry about the world in which we live. Worry, worry, worry! I’m sure we are not alone in this, but I would tend to guess that we also aren’t alone in what we do to alleviate our worries – we pray. If I’m worried about a conversation I have to have at work the next day, I pray for guidance. If I’m worried about a friend or family member, I pray for caring hands. If I’m worried about the music we will share during a service, I pray for support. Prayer is an amazing gift that we are given by God. God gives us this ability to close our eyes, gather our thoughts, and speak to someone we know is listening, and then wait for an answer. The answer is not always what we want it to be either. That is where the waiting is the hardest part. To know that an answer will come, but we don’t know if it will be soon or if it will be what we want to hear.

I’m not sure that I’ll ever get to the point of never worrying, but I can see myself getting to the point of allowing the peace of God to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I can just imagine what that feels like – freedom, warmth, and lightness. In the meantime, God is here to say that everything will be just fine.

Prayer
God, help me to feel your presence near me in this Advent season. Help me to lay my worries in your hands, so that I may rejoice always. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Scott Iddings

Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

BEAR FRUIT WORTHY OF REPENTANCE.
IT IS YOUR LIFE THAT MUST CHANGE.
John the Baptizer, bearer of the Good News.

No, Really? THAT is what I go out to the wilderness to look at? That is what I go out to see?

Do I believe if we listen, God will speak – if we go, God will meet us, if we trust, God will act, if we act with God, a new world order is possible? Well, sure. But what if this “better life” and “new world order” require more of me and promises less than my preconceived Kingdom of God should be? Change my life? Really, God?

Out into the wilderness I go, leaving my comfortable life behind to hear this Baptizer – one who wears funky clothes, doesn’t eat like I do, probably doesn’t even look like Charlton Heston, but who seems to know something about God that I need to know. Really?

So I make the big sacrifice by just showing up, and I let this preacher call me and everyone else a “brood of vipers”? (insinuating that one or both of my parents were reptilian; then lumping me in with the rest – I’m all for inclusiveness, but – Really?)

Then, after the name calling, after hearing that the whole lot of us need to change our lives, after having our birthright questioned, (God’s chosen and holy people suddenly is not enough? Really?) do I STILL stay? Do I step up and ask, “What should we do?”

Do I change my life because some preacher/prophet tells me it is exactly what I need to do? Really, God? Really?

Oh Lord, let it be so!!

God asks more of us than we are right now, and deep down, we believe it’s possible. That’s why we listen to the guy in camel’s hair. That is what we go out to the wilderness to see, to hear – Good News!

With God we can

Change our lives, go the narrow way.
Do justice.
Give what we can, whenever we can.
Take only what we need.
Live joyfully.
Let humility teach us.
Know that Love abides.

God with us – Emmanuel. The way God wanted it from the beginning. The way God wants it to be forever. A better life. A new world order.

Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
It is your life that must change.
Live like God is really with you. REALLY.

Prayer

Dear God, help me listen, watch, pray and receive as I prepare in this time of Advent. Thank you for this time to go out and listen to John the Baptizer tell me what my heart already knows. Let this be a time of turning toward you; that my life may become undeniable evidence of our living covenant with you. Gracious God, may my life speak what my heart longs to say. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of a companion in the wilderness

Zephaniah 3.14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord.

The people of Jerusalem received a prophetic promise from God through Zephaniah about restoration from captivity, suppression, worship of idols, and other sinful behaviors. Additionally, they received the promise of God coming as the Messiah, and being in their midst during the transformation of their faith and worship of God. When the day was to come, they were to have no fear, and were encouraged to be diligent and faithful. Zephaniah proclaimed that God in their midst would “exult with joy over you” and “renew you by his love”. “Rejoice with shouts of joy and dance.” They were encouraged to celebrate. God would take action against the oppressors, and restore their good fortunes as well as be their guide. God would give them praise among all the peoples of the earth.

Advent is the season of anticipation, a time to celebrate, to sing, and worship together. In these modern times, we have holiday parties to eat, drink, and rejoice with family, friends, and co-workers. Decorations are inside and outside. Homes and businesses shout out the season. I saw a Charlie Brown Christmas tree for sale at Ace the other day with one lonely ornament on it. It made me smile. Merchants go overboard to get you to spend your holiday money on gifts, food, music, videos, toys, clothes, and anything having to do with Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty. Christmas cards are sent to friends and family and the post office is overwhelmed. Chocolate advent calendars are used to celebrate each day closer to Christmas with a candy treat. Carolers carol. Kids turn into angels, donkeys, kings, wise men, sheep, inn keepers, and Joseph and Mary at Christmas pageants. Our son Greg was even a live baby Jesus at our old church in Dundee. Oh, how we celebrate His coming differently since the days of Zephaniah’s prophetic promise. But celebrate we do!!!! So shout, dance, rejoice, and sing. The story of His coming never grows old.

Advent is also a time when the bell ringers collect for the poor, hungry, and homeless. Soldiers (not all) are remembered with care packages and reminders of home. Coats are collected, food pantries restocked, and some (not all), of the lonely and forgotten are remembered. Maybe advent is a time when the sick and injured have a little more hope; or the shut in gets a song from some carolers as their only Christmas present. So when the time is right for you this advent season, do your part to help “rescue the lame and gather the strays” (vs.19).

Little did Zephaniah know how powerful his prophetic promise would change the world forever, but God did.

Prayer
God, thank you for the joy of your presence with me. Help me to celebrate, and help me also to do things that bring you joy. Walk with me as I serve those who are lonely, poor, hungry, outcast, or injured. Mall all people know your love and joy. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Tom Walters

Isaiah 12.2-6

You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

This Bible verse reminds me of Advent. This is because Isaiah talks about hope and giving thanks for God giving us what he did. Every time we do something, we should think that we would not be able to do that without God. We also should hope, especially during Christmas when we hope for Jesus. This verse made me think of Advent and Christmas because everything feels right. For me in this time, I am with family and we always give thanks, and I believe that everyone, some how, thinks of hope. Isaiah tells us to “sing praises to the lord” and I think Christmas time is the best time because everyone is merry. We should hope and give thanks to the lord. In the season of Advent, the world seems happier and it is the best time to perform the deeds that Isaiah writes in this section of the Bible.

Prayer
Dear God, help me to give thanks and to be full of hope. Thank you for family and friends and for helping me. I will praise you! Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Alex Sowa

Philippians 4.4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If you ask anyone when Christmas is they will say December 25th. The day when smiles are easy to give and there is common ground to start a conversation with almost any stranger, Christian or not. Not everyone experiences this great joy and love-sharing feeling, but I will venture to say the majority of us do. I’m not going to say we forget the reason for Christmas because we are reminded of the story every year. I am wondering what would be different if every day was treated as Christmas. Maybe this is also a common theme: why are you rushing around? Love people now. But just taking another minute out of life with me to picture the difference this life change could make…going to bed at night excited to fall asleep knowing that you will be waking up to a wonderful day, putting aside work for a full 24 hours in order to be with the people who matter most, having your eyes opened to the blessings in your life.
I cannot say every Christmas will be a picture-perfect one or that every day can be easily treated with such joy, but why don’t we try? Why are we so anxious for that one day when we can easily rejoice in God and spread God’s love? “The Lord is at hand.” Not just on Christmas, but every day of every year. Let’s allow our gentleness to be known to man. And every time we feel anxious for the joys of the future, let’s ask ourselves, why not rejoice right now? If you have time to pull up a YouTube music video, search through your iTunes, or pull out your Christmas CD collection, I recommend you listen to a song that captures this idea, Celine Dion, Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day:

Don’t get so busy that you miss
Giving just a little kiss
To the ones you love
Don’t even wait a little while
To give them a little smile
A little is enough

How could you wait another minute?
A hug is warmer when you’re in it
And that’s a fact
And saying “I love you” is always better
Seasons, reasons, they don’t matter
So don’t hold back
How many people in this world
So needful in this world
How many people are praying for love?

Prayer
Loving God, thank you for showing us what love is. Help us to celebrate and share your love with everyone, not just one day of the year, but every day. Amen.

–may the Spirit move through the words of Anna Zoerner