The Story for the
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

This Advent, we are not reading the usual lectionary readings. Instead, we have crafted an Advent series that tells the story of God’s saving work through the lens of four pairs or individuals from the Bible who reveal the
transformative power of hope in God.
On Sunday, we will hear these stories in a variety of ways – Bible readings, stories, poems, and songs.

The Story of Mary

On the fourth Sunday in Advent, we are going to hear from Mary. In fact, we are going to present our Christmas pageant so we are going to hear from Mary and Joseph and angels and shepherds and even Caesar Augustus. But, in preparation, you are invited to focus on Mary (who really is the star of the show – at least until the baby is born).

Read the Biblical story of Mary’s visit from the angel, her visit to Elizabeth, and the song she sings here: Luke 1:26-56

Read the story as developed in Rhonda’s sanctified imagination and shared as a progressive pageant over the 4 Sundays in Advent plus Christmas Eve last year here: Mary’s Story

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Something to Do

From Generation to Generation

Mary’s song, often called The Magnificat because that is the first word in its Latin translation, links her hope and her faith and her experience of God to her ancestors. She reaches all the way back to Abraham and Sarah – the people with whom we began our Advent journey.

What hope lives in you that has its roots in your ancestors – either the literal past generations of your biological family or the past generations of your chosen lineage? Tell someone a story about those ancestors.

Living Hope

We called this week “Living Hope” because Mary is quite literally bringing hope to birth. Celebrate living hope this week by rejoicing in the greenery of the season.

• If you haven’t yet put up a Christmas tree, consider putting it up but leaving it without decorations for a few days. If you have already put up your Christmas tree, bask in its beauty.
• Find other places to bring greenery into your home – wreaths or bows or garlands. Get a new houseplant or pay extra attention to the ones you already have.
• Go for a wintery walk and admire how much green there actually still is, even with the leaves gone for the winter.

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Something to Wonder

Mary

What is your relationship to Mary? Do you think of her mostly as a character in a story? Does she have a role in your faith? Do you mostly forget about her except at Christmas time? Does she make you uncomfortable?

However you answer the question, take some time to wonder about it. Why is that your response to Mary? Where did you learn it? What impact has it had on your faith?

If you are responsible for the faith formation of someone else, what relationship to Mary would you like to teach? Why? And how might you do that?

Living Hope

What hope are your nurturing?
What are you doing to help it grow?

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Something to Learn

Mary in Art

Mary is the subject of a great deal of art in all forms, spanning centuries. Take a look at these collections:

A beautiful array of timeless images — both classical and modern — to honor the Virgin Mary, the spiritual mother to us all. by

The Cult of the Virigin Mary in the Middle Ages: The Metropolitan Museum in New York City

Looking at Mary with modern mom eyes – for a good laugh but also a good point

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the
Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2020

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

This Advent, we are not reading the usual lectionary readings. Instead, we have crafted an Advent series that tells the story of God’s saving work through the lens of four pairs or individuals from the Bible who reveal the
transformative power of hope in God.
On Sunday, we will hear these stories in a variety of ways – Bible readings, stories, poems, and songs.

Isaiah 1:1-4,12-20 and Isaiah 40

On the third Sunday in Advent, we will hear two passages from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The first passage comes from before Judah was occupied and the people sent into exile. The prophet speaks God’s judgement on the nation and calls them to return to righteousness. The second passage was written after the exile had taken place and seeks to assure the people that God has not abandoned them but will ultimately see them restored to their home.

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Something to Do

The Messiah

The salvation described in the Book of Isaiah has been understood by Christians throughout history as the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus (Jewish readers of the text obviously have different interpretations). As a result, the traditional Advent readings draw on Isaiah and many Advent hymns are crafted around the poetry of the book.

Most famously, the words for Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah are largely drawn from Isaiah. Make time for this beautiful piece of music this week.

• You can singalong with CAMMAC’s virtual Come Sing Messiah (with links to online scores).
• Check out the Toronto Symphony Orchestra‘s multi-media contemporary Canadian interpretation.
• Or simply find a recording, pour a drink of your choosing, and listen.

Patient Hope

We called this week “Patient Hope” because Isaiah is clear that the people have no choice but to wait, even if he is also clear that what they are waiting for is a very good thing.

Practice patience this week by waiting deliberately at every little opportunity. Standing in a line up? Boiling a pot of water? At a stoplight? Computer updating? Build your patience muscle every chance you get!

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Something to Wonder

You, plural

Isaiah – like the whole Bible – is not written to an individual or even a group of individuals but to a people. That people can be understood in different ways: the nation of Israel; the Body of Christ; the community of faith; the family of God; humanity itself. But the you is almost always plural.

Does keeping this idea at the front of your attention change how you read these passages from Isaiah? Who do you think God is addressing today with these very strong words? Are they listening? Where do you (singular) fit into all this?

Patient Hope

How does the idea of patient hope make you feel?
How does it fit (or not fit) with the call to justice?
What is your relationship to the idea of patience itself?
Would you have chosen a different phrase?

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Something to Learn

More on Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah was not, in fact, written by one prophet but rather is rooted in the writings of one prophet but continued by those who came after. The events covered in the book span over 100 years and it serves as history, political analysis, and theology – often in the form of poetry.

Wikipedia’s overview is, as always, good place to start.

Myjewishlearning.com has an excellent article on the person and history of Isaiah ben Amoz who wrote the first part of the book.

And The Bible Project’s videos explain why, as Christians, we see Jesus revealed so clearly in the Prophet’s words.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.