Advent Sunday ~ Love

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 5. 1-14, John 6. 1-15

4^th Sunday in Advent: Love

 (Re-light candles 1, 2, 3)

Love; that intense emotion that has kept both poet and musician inspired for centuries. According to philosophers, the only goal in life is to be happy. And there is only one happiness in life; to love and be loved.

A quote from Mother Teresa says “the hunger for love is much more difficult to remove then the hunger for bread”

Today our scripture reading will tell of the love that is shown through actions. A young servant girl encourages her master to seek healing from the prophet Elisha. A young boy is moved to share his small lunch with the hungry crowd.

We can learn a lot about love just by watching our children. They love unconditionally, without reservation or hesitation. Jesus says that unless we come with acceptance like a child we will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The greatest display of love ever known to mankind came in the form of a helpless babe: for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

(Light the 4^th candle)

Prayer: God of Love, you showed us the ultimate in love when you sent your son to live among us. You showed us love in the sacrifice of your only son. You show us love through the forgiveness of our sins, past, present and future. Hallelujah, Amen!

Advent Sunday ~ Joy

Scripture Reading: Genesis 21. 1-7

3^rd Sunday of Advent; Joy

 (Relight candles 1 and 2)

Joy is an emotion evoked by well- being, success or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.

Today our scripture reading will tell of the joy that comes with the birth of a child.  Abraham and Sarah in their golden years, bring forth a son. They named him Isaac, a name that exudes joy, as its meaning is almost literally ‘laughter”.

Rachel, who also waited years for a child, received what she desired, when she gave birth to Joseph. The bible tells us that Jacob too was filled with delight; ‘he loved Joseph more than all his other sons because he was the child of his old age.’

As we celebrate Advent we too look forward with joy, as we trust in God to always keep his promises.

(Light candle 3)

Prayer: God of Joy, how you delight in keeping your promises. We can trust You to keep your word!  You gave children to Sarah and Rachel, and then fulfilled the ultimate promise: your son, our Savior.  Thank you for the joy we receive when we turn to you. In spite of troubles you tell us to consider it all joy. In the face of testing, we find strength in your joy. Amen.

Advent Sunday ~ Peace

Welcome the Season of Advent with me. Advent means 'coming' or arrival. A few years ago I wrote, with the help of my sister, four Advent readings, one for each Sunday before Christmas. Today's reading is for the Sunday of PEACE.

Scripture Reading: Book of Ruth, Luke 1. 26-38

2^nd Sunday of Advent: Peace

(Re-light 1^st candle)

Peace is the feeling within us that is not dependent on time, people, place or any external object or situation.

Today, our scripture reading will tell of the peace that resided in two women who have the unique privilege of being among the 5 women named in the linage of Christ. 

Ruth, who was willing to leave her homeland to go with her mother in law, conveys peace. In the midst of a life turned upside down by circumstance, not knowing what lies ahead, she trusts in her mother-in-law Naomi and Naomi’s God to provide for them.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, upon hearing the news that she had been chosen to bring the Messiah into the world tells the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.’’ Despite the incredibleness of how this would come to be, and how she would explain this to her family, Mary trusts God.

Philippians 4.6-7 tells us to bring our troubles to the Lord and in doing so we will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful then the human mind can understand.

(Light 2^nd candle)

Prayer: God of peace, as we await your return we face a world of uncertainties. How good it is to know that you will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you.  What peace it brings to know you walk through the deep waters and great troubles with us.  In a life of chaos and unrest we can find peace as we rest in you.

Advent Sunday ~ Hope

Welcome the Season of Advent with me. Advent means 'coming' or arrival. A few years ago I wrote, with the help of my sister, four Advent readings, one for each Sunday before Christmas. I share with you now the first reading, for today, which is the Advent Sunday known as HOPE.

Scripture Reading: Daniel Chapters 1-3.

The first Sunday of Advent is Hope.

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope implies perseverance—believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Today our scripture reading will tell of the hope found in 3 young men who faced certain death because they refused to bow down to a false god. While the outcome looked anything but positive, they clung to hope… a result of their faith in God.

The death of Christ looked anything but hopeful to the handful of disciples who stood at the foot of the cross in stunned disbelief that this could happen to the man they had come to know as the Son of God.

Yet, hope was reborn when Christ overcame death, a hope that continues to live on in each of us as we follow Christ.

As we light the first candle of Advent, we wait with expectancy, anticipation, longing, and most of all hope… the hope of eternal life offered in Jesus.

(Light the 1^st candle)

Prayer: God of Hope, we long for your return just as your chosen people longed for your arrival.  You have plans for us, plans for good, not for disaster, plans to give us a future and a hope.  No matter how hopeless things may seem here on earth, in you we have eternal hope.  We wait with expectancy for the unexpected.

Amen