When God brings the creation to fulfillment, there will be dismay,
perplexity, fright, and shaking heavens. But with this vision also
come words of assurance: for the faithful, it will be a time not to
cower in fear, but to stand boldly and receive God's promised
redemption.
The gospels encouraged the early believers by pointing to signs of the
coming realm of God. Although these signs seem strange and fearful
today, their purpose was to keep the people faithful to God and God's
coming day.
This is the message of the fig tree: its keepers see the signs its
life provides and know what they are to do. This passage is a call to
hopeful waiting; to prayer and preparation. The growing seed offers us
a useful image: once it is planted, we wait for its fruition. So it is
as we await God's reign, encouraged, hopeful, and expectant with the
promise of God's vision of justice.
Drivers encounter all kinds of signs. Some are simple kindergartne-level
drawings: a squiggly arrow means curves ahead, and we hold the wheel
more firmly, sharpen our gaze. An odd cross consisting of a vertical
with two arms coming off at different points represents two side
streets, one left, one right. What appears to be a real cross warns of
an intersection ahead. We prepare to slow down. We obey. We understand
and we do.
The dictionary explains that a sign is something indicating the
existence of something else. Jesus reminded the disciples that the fig
tree sprouting leaves is a sign that summer is already near. The real
"something else" we should know about is that "the kingdom of God is
near." We are to understand and do. And we should understand that
"hearts weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and worries of
this life" (Luke 21.34) are also a sign--a sign, perhaps, that we do
not understand--even worse, a sign that although we do understand, we
don't do.
Advent itself is a sign. Christ is coming soon. This Sunday's signs
are very clear. One would hope that of all the signs that surround us,
the ones from God would receive our most earnest attention. And what
good signs they are. We do well to go back to the simplest sign, the
sign of an intersection--God's intersection with us--our Lord's cross.
And then to look ahead. The best sign on our travels, at journey's
end, is our own street sign, our own house number, our home. We will
see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory, some of us
rising from graves, some standing on our front porch, all of us
realizing our redemption is here.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
George W. Hoyer
When I look and verses 21;25-26 And think to recent events and things
Happening now. Signs in sun, moon and stars.... The recent Solar
Flares that passed through earth, disrupting some's power and phone
service. Moon with our recent eclipse, and Stars Fallen stars-
meteorites and fallen "stars" Kobe, Robert Blake, and Michael Jackson.
Distress in Mid east, here, Turkey, Georgia-Russia....Fainting and
fear haunts us what future.
We could ask Are we living not only in the last days- last hours?
Close to time of verse 27?
I know most of our mainline denominations don't give creedance to
dispensationalism. But, most of us to believe, we say it in our
rituals Christ was Born, Christ was Risen, Christ will come again. He
will come descending as he ascended. that's in our word of God. Do we
beleive it?
We better, our redemption does draw nigh. ( don't claim to be a
prophet) But when I read this, it's there PLAIN TALK! Don't have to be
a prophet anyone can see.
The Hebrew People were not alert, and didn't expect Jesus to come to a
poor couple as the babe in a manger.
Let us not be caught sleeping either. LOOK UP! WITH HOPE! YOur
Redemption comes!
Clerically Blonde in west ohio
A fifth grade student writes of the Advent need for "A Shine of Hope":
"I am in the freezing wilderness watching life fly bye
Wondering why life is the way it is no use to try
Seeing what is going on in Iraq and other places it seems our world is
deteriorating.
All I need is just one little shine of hope and then I will believe,
instead of waiting to die."
Compare this reflection with that of T. S. Eliot:
"I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope For hope would be
hope of the wrong thing; wait without love For love would be love of
the wrong thing; there is yet faith But the faith and the love and the
hope are all in the waiting. Wait without thought, for you are not
ready for thought: So the darkness shall be the light, and the
stillness the dancing."
Perhaps Advent calls for such reflections on "waiting" in the utter
empitness of "kenosis". "Thick darkness" may be pregnant! Is it
possible for despair to give birth to hope, for light to rise up out
of darkness?
Unless we pray in song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" out of grief-strickenness,
beneath the Fig Tree's dark night of a broken Covenant, and discover
the "O Holy Night", we shall not be able to authentically sing with
all our heart "Joy to the World". The Coming of the Son of Man calls
for the courage to "wait" in the self-emptying act, even in the midst
of the darkness of a despair, yet pregnant with the power of
victorious hope! Can the promises of God be fulfilled in the Son of
Man emerging out of death upon a cross? Is Christ's birth, and the
messge therefrom, any different than his death? In utter mystery of
helpless darkness and emptiness we called to trust in the one who
comes to us in this condition, rather than the feenzy activity of our
pretencious "religiousity" of trying to save ourselves. We want the
Christmas joy but without the Advent "kenosis" of "waiting" upon the
Lord.
Just Reflecting, PaideaSCO in north GA mts.
Seems all the postings until now have been rather dark and defeated.
Where is the "hope" in the voices of the preachers? Isn't Advent about
looking FORWARD to the fulfillment of Christ's hope? I think that too
often, Christians read the apocolypes of Matthew, and Luke with too
much fear! If we have accepted Christ's grace and forgiveness, whatis
the fear? Why not express hope? Shouldn't the message to those who do
not know about Jesus be more hopeful that condemning?
I'm curious. How do those who fear Christ's 2nd Advent deal with John
3:17? Jesus says, "For God sent not his son into the world to condemn
the world, but that the world through him might be saved!" Therein is
great hope.
With regards to this text, isn't Jesus cautioning his disciples
against apostacy? Seems to me, Jesus is calling the disciples to hold
firm to their faith and their hope.
Steve in NC
Steve:
Not sure I see the darkness and defeat in George W. Hoyer's take on
this reading. "Stand us and raise your heads, because your redemption
is drawing near." Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
Shalom: Tom in Ontario
I am struggling with several issues: 1) the obvious message of the
text that there is a return of Christ, 2) my own theological
differences with those who are sure we are in this time now, and 3)
the belief held in my congregation that there is no return.
I may land with the priest I heard on EWTN who said that "Jesus lives
in the now of eternity". Thus he is both always present and always
coming, always here and always around the bend. Whether we are certain
the Day is coming soon or not, we should always live our faith with
urgency, knowing that every moment could be our last, as which point
Jesus has effectively come.
Preaching in AR
Add my name to the people who are not spending any time worrying about
the return of Jesus. I'm too busy being thankful he came in the first
place.
I tend to try to steer people away from living their faith for the
future. I don't like the "carrot on a stick" theology that seems to
teach that you have to live rightly on earth because of the afterlife.
I want people to live rightly here on earth because it is a far, far
more joyous journey to walk with God than to walk away from God. In
that same vein, to tell people they must wake up every morning with
the attitude of "well, today may be the day it all ends for us" seems
contrary to what God asks of us. I think God asks us to greet each
morning with the attitude of "well, another day to love and serve the
Lord, and to be a neighbor to someone!" If we could do that, I'm
guessing we would have no fear of Jesus' coming, whenever or however
it comes. He wouldn't find us searching the skies for signs and
wonders, but searching in dark corners for people in need of some
kindnesses from Christians.
So, as you can see, I'm going to be having trouble again this week
dealing with the text as it is written......
KyHoosierCat
KyHoosierCat
This scripture is not telling people they must wake up every morning
with the attitude of "well, today may be the day it all ends for us".
It is telling us to wake up every morning and say TODAY MAY BE THE DAY
IT ALL STARTS FOR US. The most wonderful day in our existence. This
scripture is telling us not to have dissipation and drunkenness and
worries. We should look forward to this day with excitment and joy. It
is what we are waiting for and while we wait it is our opportunity to
witness for Christ.
JWS
Dear Friends,
Lots going on this week, huh? With Thanksgiving, special Advent
services and my child being off the rest of the week I went ahead and
worked up a rough draft of my sermon. I am starting Advent off as if
God has wrapped up a present and put it under the tree weeks before
the event. The good thing is we can open it up now.
I invite your comments. You can view the sermon at: http://www.rfci.net/bagpiper/20031130.htm
Send comments to bagpiper@rfci.net.
Grace and peace, Mike Evans
One scripture that keeps going through my mind as I read this and see
the disconnect between what is thought of as an imminent return of
Christ within the generation and here we are nearly 2000 years later
is Hebrews 9:27-28. "Since men only die once, and then there is the
judgement, so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults
of many on himself, and when he apppears a second time, it will not be
to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting
for him." The signs of "the end" are present in each and every
generation. We die and then are there. More or less each one of us
must face the tribulations of life, the temptations to dissipation and
worry. Each must decide in each generation to stand up in hope and
realize the end comes for all of us but for those of faith the end is
another beginning. To quote my mom (who taught me to preach by
preaching to me so much) "All things must come to an end so that
better things can begin." The "Judgement" or in our case the
"Welcoming In" can give much hope and peace of mind in the midst of a
world that seems to each generation evil and in chaos. Just some
thoughts. FB in AZ
I am working on a sermon title, "The Days Are Surely Coming" in
conjunction with OT and Epistle readings. I am hoping to flesh this
out, not just in giving answers but, in asking questions.
Too often, I think we move in either/or circles, either be worried or
rejoice. I'm not sure the texts stress an either/or. I think it is
both/and. The days are surely coming statement can bring both fear and
hope depending on the context in which one lives.
We do begin to look to the future in hope and faith during the season
of Advent. But we still live in this world, oftentimes struggling with
issues whether they be in relationships, job security, finances or
other.
For me, advent is a time for hoping in the midst of all the realities.
From a practical standpoint, my pastoral theology/practice keeps me in
the middle of concerns that many families are dealing with. Pressing
needs have a way of bringing us to our knees and bring out the worst
of our fears and anxieties. We can't always bring easy answers or
fixes, sometimes we just need to share in the struggle and the pain,
helping to carry the burden to God. Isn't this part of the awe and
wonder of the incarnation, God entering into our struggling, broken
world?
When we do this well, dwelling with another's story and really living
with their concerns, then we have the credibility to preach the hope
and the expectation of what Christ can do in the future, both on earth
and in the heavens. Let's remember that Amazing Grace is often more
profound to those who are struggling than to those who seem to have
everything together.
My congregation has gone through a lot of emotional struggle. Too
often, we let culture values impact us and run for our own comfort.
But, if we are indeed Biblical, we will enter into the struggle and
find that God resides there. I am reminded that labor pains always
precede birth. This is true at Christ's birth, in his ministry and at
his death and resurrection. We are not to let the struggle overwhelm
us but it can be the crucible that God uses to shape us.
So, having said that, I will be dealing with Jeremiah's "executing
justice", I Thessalonians "lacking of faith" and the "fear and
foreboding" of Luke. And the above will be put into perspective with
"the Lord being our righteousness" knowing that "our redemption is
drawing nigh."
The days are surely coming with a mix of fear and hope. So we "pray
that [we] may have the strength to escape all these things that will
take place." The preparation of Advent is not to take us out of this
world and its problems, but to help us abide in the midst.
Grace and peace, Prophet in PA
Hello, friends:
I've been off-site for a while because of a death in the family -- my
stepdad (my only surviving parent until last week) died Monday, 11/17,
so I was in California for the week (and will be returning there soon
for his burial).
But I'm back now ... and offer you this poem that I think speaks to
the focus of Advent, being alert to the present. It is entitled "I AM"
by Hellen Mallicoat:
I was regretting the past // And fearing the future // Suddenly my
Lord was speaking: // "MY NAME IS I AM." He paused.
I waited. He continued, // "When you live in the past, // with its
mistakes and regrets, // it is hard. I am not there. // My name is not
I was.
When you live in the future, // with its problems and fears, // it is
hard. I am not there. // My name is not I will be.
When you live in this moment, // it is not hard. // I am here. // My
name is I AM."
Be alert! (The world needs more lerts!) Live in the present.
Advent blessings, Eric in OH
Tom in Ontario,
On my second (and third) read through these postings, I find I must
retract some of my previous statements. True, not ALL are dark. I
guess I am responding more to the sense I get from many Christians who
are so transfixed on pinpointing the signs of the "rapture" that they
miss the reality of living in the Grace of God. Thanks to Eric for the
Mallicoat poem. It speaks to me of the hopefulness of today, and the
hope for tommorow.
My title this week is "In Hopeful Expectation." Our congregation, like
that of the PA Prophet, has been through too much in the recent past.
We are in the midst of a wonderful re-visioning process, capturing our
renewed hope for our future. I think vs 34 is especially powerful.
Thanks again for the re-direction in my reading. (Sometimes we all
need a good shake.)
Steve in NC
Yesterday and today I've been curious about the word "generation."
This promise is the same to each generation who reads this scripture.
Yet, *just a few* generations have passed since Jesus first spoke
these words.
It puts in my mind several different things: First, the period in
American Protestant history known as "The Great Disappointment." I'm
not sure if I've got the time-line correct, but I do believe it was
during the 2nd great Awakening - when so many people sold all they had
and went to wait for Jesus some place (was it in Missouri?). It was a
woman who survived that Great Disappointment who dreamed that there
was a halo around the Commandment of the 7th Day and she got the
vision in her dream that Jesus DID come but couldn't make it all the
way to earth because people were worshiping on the wrong day. (Gee,
you can tell I didn't pull out my old books, can't you?) Thus began
the 7th Day Adventists. It reminds me of how we can place too much
stock in one component of our faith - to the point where we're greatly
disappointed.
Next, it reminds me of an "outside the box" sort of movie called "The
Rapture." The woman waits for Jesus and is so disappointed that he
doesn't come while she's waiting for him that she refuses to go when
he does come for real.
Third, "generation" reminds me of a promise that this is news of hope
to all generations. To all times, all peoples, all places. The idea is
to stay focused on what is divine so that we are able to stand before
the Son of Man.
Fourth - even Heaven will pass away, says Jesus. It's his words that
will not. Maybe the "not yet" and "already" paradox of the Good News
is that his promise is the same. It's Jesus who enables us to stand
before the throne.
Early, early thoughts - and I've gotta preach Wed night, too. I gotta
get on the stick.
Welcome back, Eric - I'm very sorry about your stepfather. God bring
peace to you.
Sally in GA
Hmmm... thinking about the entrenchment of many of our churches ...
and the promise of a "future" - transform the "carrot on a stick" (or
pie in the sky) theology (thanks KHC) into a promise of something
better right now. Yet, in order to transform into the future, we must
validate the past. Like PA Prophet's highlighting "the days are surely
coming" why would we see this as an automatic condemnation of the
past? or even of the present? Are these days no good?
I believe that's what my current congregation has difficulty with.
These days are, in many ways, VERY good. They see very little need to
be anything other than what they've been for lo these many years. And
I have to say that, somewhere, they're right. It wouldn't work for
~me~ but it worked for them, warts and sins and all.
Now God is speaking to us that "the days are surely coming" - that
there is life after life - even prior to our death.
I like what one post-er said: that all things must come to an end so
better things can happen.
I'm thinking of titling mine: "All Good Things Must Come to an End."
This could be an opportunity to acknowledge the very real grief that
goes along with this.
hmmmmm....
BTW: thanks for the poem, Eric. Don't know what I'd do without you,
sometimes.
Sally
Nope - sorry for the multiple posts again, y'all. I think in smaller
sound bytes. I'm a candidate for the "Short Attention Span Theater."
Anyways, here's my title: All Good Things Must Begin
Sally
Completely off topic, but I want to wish each one of you a wonderful
Thanksgiving holiday. If you are traveling anywhere, I pray travel
mercies for you. May God bless you and those you love.
KyHoosierCat
I am going to play with the imagery of the fig tree and the old
Christmas carol, "We wish you a Merry Christmas." In the second verse,
the carolers sing "now bring us some figgy pudding." This is an
English treat (famous in Dicken's "The Christmas Carol") that is
soaked in rum just before it is presented, and then lit on fire,
burning off the alcohol in a blue blaze.
Some people wait for the blue blaze, when the real treat is getting to
eat the pudding. Are we waiting for the signs, or for the Christ?
It is a bit like always asking "are we there yet?" (a question many in
our congregations will be familiar with over Thanksgiving!) The
question means either we are not paying attention to the journey, or
that we don't know the destination unless someone confirms it for us.
OLAS
Those who measure these things have confirmed that change of any kind
is a stress-inducer. Even upward mobility, a better job, a better
community, a health-change for the better, whatever. It's stressful
simply because it is different from what we already know and
understand. So, giving up the temporal for the eternal, while better,
is pretty stressful to the human psyche. It is only faith that allows
us to move into the transition smoothly. Heck, sometimes it's only
faith that allows us to face the next morning! To do what several of
you are suggesting - announce the news that God is in the struggle of
the present - may be just the proclamation the people need to hear.
Thanks for the input.
KHC
My sermon will address the "rapture" idea and also mentions the Great
Disappointment.... how interesting to see others thinking along the
same lines....
I've already written it. You can find it at
http://www.thefunstons.com/sermons/c113003wo.html
Perhaps someone can get some use out of it.
Blessings, Eric in OH
OLAS -- I love the fact that you're playing with the fig tree image
(and figgy puddings). In Matthew's Gospel Jesus says "Learn the lesson
of the fig tree...." And he makes the same point here.
I've often wondered if he is using "fig tree" as many rabbis have done
as a metaphor for the Torah...?
A midrash has this to offer: "Why is Torah compared to a fig tree?
Because most trees - olive, grape, date - have their fruit picked at
one time, but the fig's fruit is picked gradually. And so it is with
the Torah: You learn a little today and more tomorrow, for you cannot
learn it in one or two years." (Midrash Bemidbar Rabbah 12:9)
One might also add that you cannot learn tomorrow's lesson today. Only
the fruit that is ripe today can be eaten; only the lesson that is
ripe today can be learned.
Blessings, Eric in OH
To Eric in OH, It is good to have you back! And I loved the line about
be more alert... Growing up, that was one of my sister's favorite
sayings! You have our prayers in the loss of your step-father.
To OLAS and the figgy pudding. Some weeks I can skip the figgy part
and head straight to the rum! I'm kidding all you straight laced
people! Please don't write me ugly letters back.
Grace and peace, Mike in Sunshine
A member of my church in Arlington, SD gave me a clipping that had
this story... apparently Robert Fulghum told it.
In one of his books, the best selling author Robert Fulghum told about
his encounter with a powerful teacher named Papaderos. At the end of a
conference Papaderos asked what most speakers ask at the end of a
lecture, it was a polite rhetorical question. "Does anyone have any
further questions?" To which someone (perhaps Fuhlgum said) "Yes, tell
us about the Meaning of Life if you would?" Laughter followed, but
Papaderos without skipping a beat... took a little rounded mirror
about the size of a quarter out of his wallet and told its story.
During WW II when he was just a little boy, Papaderos found that piece
of mirror on the ground at the site of a motorcycle wreck. Poor, and
resourceful, Papaderos had taken that little fragment of glass,
carefully rounding its edges by grinding it on a rock, and had
transformed it into his favorite toy. It seems that he got real good
at being able to catch the sun in that mirror and reflecting it into
dark places where the light never reached; into deep holes and the
hidden crevices in the rocks. And as he grew, Papaderos began to
understand that more than just a toy, that little rounded mirror was
symbol of his life’s mission. He said that he understands himself to
be a fragment of a mirror designed to catch the light and reflect it
into the dark places of this world, into the hidden recesses of the
human heart, transforming them through insight, discovery and
understanding.
Of course, Papaderos was very clear about the fact that he was not the
source of that light, but just a reflection of it. Christ is the light
that shines in the dark nooks and crannies of our world and hearts.
And when that light shines in on us, it fills us and then it flashes
out of us.
Another one of my favorite quotes came from a book given to me by my
friend Kip. "Christmas is for Celebrating"... by Bishop Melvin Wheatly...
He writes: "Christ's light was dark enough to pierce the darkness of
his day, OUR day is dark enough to need the brightness of his star..."
that's all I can remember of it... but it's very good.
So, enjoy your thanksgiving and look on the horizon for the glimpse of
"the true light" illumining everyone....
pulpitt in ND http://faithumcfargo.com/1999/18.htm
Rick (aka Pulpitt) -- yep, that's a Fulghum story -- it is in the book
"It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It" (I think that's the book
anyway).
Blessings, Eric in OH
pulpitt in ND, Thanks for the story. I was trying to tackle the whole
entire end-times theme and was getting pretty bogged down. Your story
helped me to get back on track.
I am trying to be sensative to the fact that this time of year can be
so sad for some people. The tension of already and not yet is almost
mirrored in grief brought on by joy. How can we shine light into those
places?
Another Advent thought: There's so much substance in the waiting. I'm
going to try to put some flesh on waiting -- How can our waiting be
active? Are we to just sit back and wait for Christ to come? (That's
one approach) How much more fulfilling will his arrival be when we've
done our best to prepare. Hospitality of the Heart.
Still a work in progress...
Thanks to all for your submissions. Great minds and hearts out there.
I'll echo the wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving and safe travels.
-- Carrie in NY
Eric and all,
My friend Kip just emailed me that it is in his "All I ever really
needed to know I learned in Kindergarten"...
Thanks again,
pulpitt in ND
Sign on a bumper sticker says: "Jesus is coming back, Act busy!".
Seems we would be better off proclaiming: #1. "Jesus has come. Be
busy"; and #2. "Jesus is surely coming back, keep on being busy".
Christian faith is not a game, in wich we try to beat God and make him
give us eternal life (unlike the way our legal system works. Truth and
justice are not the goals, winning, and defeating the other side are).
Christian faith is not an inocculation, in which we need to get just
enough to be immunized and protected from the evil one; Christian
faith is not indoctrination, in which we need to know enough of the
right things to pass some kind of qualifying test for heaven.
Christian faith is simply accepting Jesus as the one about whom it was
promised that he would come, who has come, and will come again, and
who calls us to follow him through life in a world of pain, through,
death, and on to eternal life. But we can not get to the end unless we
follow along the way through life. Jesus is the way (and the truth and
the life) to the Father, and he is the way to live along the way. We
can not avoid life with Jesus is this world if we want to live with
him forever.
JRW in OH
Heaven will pass away -- interesting. There's something beyond, better
than Heaven! Even our mind-blowing-est concept of Heaven will pass
away for something greater. As many teens would say today, "Dude!"
So, how do we consider heaven on earth?
Tweeked my sermon title: "Heaven on Earth" - and will explore "All
Good Things Must Come to a START"
The "generation" passing away but not the words - heck, it's playing
out right before our very eyes! The words are still there, despite
watching the generations come and go. Gosh, just how many cliches can
we come up with? Heaven on Earth, the best is yet to come, the more
things change the more they stay the same, "words" to the wise, and
another one that just slipped out of my mind.
Off to work on T-giving... Thanks for all the insightful input!!!! C-ya
Sally in GA
Greetings, I have been a lurker for a long time, and I always
appreciate the insight I recieve.
I am an UMC layity, worship leader, and have been delivering the
"Children's Time" message for eleven plus years. I try to follow the
lectionary Gospel for the week if it speaks to me.
Sometimes the well runs dry, anybody have any useful links or
resources that would help me in bringing the Good News to our little
ones & older ones in a fresh interesting way?
Thanks,Happy Thanksgiving,and may God Bless each of you.
prayin-n-TX
Dear prayin-n-TX, I'm new to giving regular Children's Sermons, but I
have found www.Sermons4Kids.com to be very helpful. It usually gives
me a really good spark to run with. tle in AR
KyHoosierCat, (and others) thanks for the Thanksgiving blessings, I
can save them for next year LOL. But to our friends in the good old US
of A - Happy Thanksgiving. I also plan to use the Fulghum story about
the meaning of life. It is profound. Robin Sharma, The Saint, the
Surfer and the CEO, writes that the ultimate questions of life have we
"lived wisely, loved well and served greatly) Not bad for a book that
doesn't even claim to be religious. Deke of the North
Deke, let's see. My Mother was Canadian, my dad lived in Canada for
years, my two sisters are Canadian, my brother is Canadian (still
lives there) and I have a gaggle of nephews and nieces and cousins in
Canada. And still I forgot about Canadian Thanksgiving in October.
Sorry. If I weren't a vegetarian, I'd volunteer to eat crow. ;-)
KyHoosierCat
Eric in OH -
Thanks for sharing that great piece by Mallicoat! Kind of says it all,
doesn't it?
LaJo
prayin-n-TX:
Augsburg Fortress (www.augsburgfortress.org) has a number of resources
worth looking at. Among them is a 3-book series entitled "Gospel
Sermons for Children," based on the Revised Common Lectionary. I've
found that helpful.
One practice that worked well at my former congregation was a team
approach to developing the children's sermons. Three of us - two
pastors and the director of our Sunday School program (who was also a
teacher of one of those classes, and a lay worship leader) - met every
six weeks or so to prepare the children's sermons for the upcoming
weeks.
The six week lead time often allowed the chance to review first draft
ideas and tweak them - or scrap them - as we saw fit. We tried to keep
the work sessions light, playful, and creative. Sometimes the craziest
ideas that were tossed out were refined into really great children's
sermons. With three people looking at each sermon, we kept ourselves
honest: the message intended for children was actually addressed to
the children (not the adult sermon watered down) and we kept ourselves
accountable to keeping the message understandable at the child's
level.
It also provided an opportunity for some interaction and mini-skits,
or an extra set of hands when needed.
And perhaps most importantly - we laughed a lot while getting the work
done.
LaJo
Speaking of Canadians...Here's an occasional contributor who's
migrated from Alberta to the Kitchener/Waterloo area ( and finally
gotten his PC back online!) So while so many of you are finishing
early and making plans for eating turkey this weekend, I'm just
getting into the grind with only the memories of our October
Thanksgiving!
Anyhow, to the text. I've been playing with the curiousity of the
lectionary beginning the Advent texts so near the end of the gospel
and working backwards towards Jesus' birth by Christmas. In musing
around both in Luke's ending chapters AND his beginning chapters I've
been interested to see the Advent comparisons between Jesus' first
Advent (birth) and his second (parousia). Take the political troubles
and familial struggles: Jesus predicts a time of unrest and of
military muscle prior to his second Advent; isn't the account of an
enforced census...and the murder of children (Matthew's gospel) around
Jesus' birth a curious comparison? Or Jesus proclaims woe's to
pregnant women in the times to come prior to his 2nd Advent; didn't
his mother have to travel while very pregnant and put up with
second-rate accomodations as part of Jesus' 1st Advent? Or what about
all the cosmic disruptions in Luke 21: didn't Jesus' birth also fill
the skies with light and sights and angelic music?
I'm also aware that Luke writes his gospel as a gentile who's
researched and compiled stories about Jesus now two generations beyond
the source. And Luke writes to a people who have seen the temple
destroyed and the city ravaged (and people getting frustrated with the
delayed return of Jesus!). It seems Luke has a perspective of hope and
optimism that he wants to ensure even as he retells the gospel: 'it's
the end of the world as we know it, but God's people can confidently
say "I feel fine"'.
If Advent is about waiting, and the waiting is for Christ's Advent,
then I'm seeing some great stuff in marriage of Advent #1 (birth)and
Advent #2(parousia). -when God enters the scene it rocks whole system,
ahh but the eyes of faith look up and celebrate nonetheless!
Perry in K/W
AS always, late in starting the study for Sunday. Oh what amazing
things you have given me to ponder. I am one who cannot live in the
Fear tactics of the Doomsdayers. I live this fear daily with our
daughter. I long for Christ to help her not suffer, But I so cannot
imagine MY life without her. I can imagine hers With Christ but... The
point. Each day is the Day of the Lords Coming for someone. But each
day is the day of the Lord's presence for everyone. Christ is here
with us. I LOVE THE POEM ERIC SHARED and I will save it. Advent needs
to be a reminder that there will one day, be no more days for all of
us. Waiting to serve God is not really an option. But service should
be in response to the amazing reality of WHO HE IS and WHAT HE HAS
ALREADY DONE. Not fear of what is to come!!!!!
Blessed Advent to all Tammy In Texas
