The Story for the Third Sunday of Advent
Dec 12, 2021
prepared by Karen McBride

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.

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Something to Do

Let your gentleness be known to everyone 

In this week’s reading, “gentleness” was part of Paul’s pastoral advice to the young church in Philippi. There are, in fact, many passages in the Bible that talk about the importance of gentle approaches, such as: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” (Proverbs 15:1) and “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) 

What would it look like if we “let our gentleness be known to everyone?” What would the tone and volume of our voices be, for example? Would our words be soft and understanding, or sharp and impatient? The stresses of this season – and of our pandemic circumstances more generally – impact us all to one degree or another. As an Advent practice, let’s take Paul’s timeless advice to heart and find ways every day to let our gentleness be known, to strangers as well as those close to us.

Stand near a friend or family member

How does it feel when you’re close enough to someone you love that they’re in your “personal space?” Happy? Reassuring? Affirming? Now imagine how much nearer to you God is… How does that make you feel?

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Something to Wonder

Do we “rejoice always”? What would happen if we did?

Although none of us is John the Baptist, we share in his ministry of proclamation and preparation. Is that a ministry you want? Why or why not?This week, our readings call us to “sing praises,” “shout aloud,” “sing for joy,” and “rejoice in the Lord always.” What would happen to our hearts if every time we looked around, we noticed something – a big thing or a small thing – for which we were grateful? Would we get used to seeing evidence of God’s grace in our lives and feel closer to God as a result? Might we then trust God more deeply?

What does it mean to be guarded by the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding?

In uncertain situations, most people will feel “safer” if they are in the company of loved ones, behind solid doors, or, perhaps in extreme circumstances, guarded by trusted authorities. How much more protected – at peace – do you feel in God’s loving embrace, in the knowledge that “even the hairs of your head are all counted” by God. “So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30)

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Something to Learn

“The Saint who baptized Christ: Episodes from St. John the Baptist’s life in the masterpieces of the Uffizi Galleries”

A Virtual Exhibition Exploring John the Baptist as a Person and a Prophet

John the Baptist is an important person in Advent, the one who calls us to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ arrival. This virtual exhibition will walk you through the Uffizi Galleries’ stunning array of artwork depicting the John’s life and ministry. As the exhibit’s commentary notes, Western art has dedicated more space and time to John the Baptist over the centuries than any other saint. From medieval iconography to famous Renaissance paintings, to 20^th century canvases, this virtual tour highlights not only the milestones of John the Baptist’s life, but also his prophetic mission. 

When you access the virtual tour, remember to scroll down through the informative and thoughtful written commentary in the left-hand column on the screen; you can advance the tour by clicking on the arrow on the right-hand side of the image. 

Sometimes technology is a wonderful advantage; this is one of those times!

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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 Second Sunday of Advent
Dec 5, 2021

Luke 1:68-79

‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favourably on his people and redeemed them. 
He has raised up a mighty saviour for us
   in the house of his servant David, 
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 
   that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant, 
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days. 
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins. 
By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us, 
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

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Something to Do

Read the story of John the Baptist’s birth

Jesus is not the only miracle baby in the Gospels. This song, prophesying John’s role in the Good News, is the first thing to come out of his father’s mouth from the day of his conception to his birth.

Read the story of Zechariah (John’s father), his encounter with the angel Gabriel, and Elizabeth (John’s mother) astonishing pregnancy.

Find it here: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

The dawn from on high will break upon us

These days, the sun rises on Ottawa just before 7:30 am. Take the time to watch dawn break sometime this week and give thanks for the gift of another day.

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Something to Wonder

…to prepare his ways

Although none of us is John the Baptist, we share in his ministry of proclamation and preparation. Is that a ministry you want? Why or why not?

In what ways do you or could you prepare the way of the Lord in the world?

How does it feel when you see a beautiful dawn break?

Many people experience the presence of God in the sight of a sunrise. Do you?
How would you describe the experience of watching a sunrise? A sunset?
What emotions does it stir up for you? What memories?

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Something to Learn

Advent Refresher

This video, Advent in 2 minutes, gives a pretty good overview of the purpose and focus of Advent.
One correction: some churches (like ours) use blue rather than purple in order to emphasize the distinction from Lent.

Or read this article from christianity.com for a bit more history: What is Advent

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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 First Sunday of Advent
Nov 28, 2021

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”   

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Something to Do

Stand up and raise your heads

There’s no way around it, really – this is a scary passage. But then again, the world can be a pretty scary place, too. The season of Advent calls us to look straight at the scariness unit we can see right past it to a better world waiting for us.

Use your body to declare your readiness to work for that world. When you hear something dreadful, stand up and raise your head and refuse to let the fear and the worry have the final say.

You know that the kingdom of God is near

so start counting. Advent calendars and candles and such do, of course, mark the time until Christmas but, on a deeper level than the calendar, they remind us that we are waiting not for Christmas day but for Christmas’ completion, when earth and heaven will be joined together, once and for all, in the presence of God.

Advent Wreaths
You don’t need anything fancy to serve as an Advent wreath – you don’t even need a wreath! You just need 4 candles (5, if you want to light on on Christmas Eve). The candles can be purple or blue (traditional liturgical colours for Advent) or red or white or anything else. In my household, we use tea lights in purple holders and just change them out as needed. We light the candle and sing the same song my husband learned as a child, adding a verse each week until Christmas. You can hear the song (not sung by us, you should be glad to know) here.

If singing is not your thing, you can use the prayers we will use on Sundays, adapted for home use and offered with some reflections for consideration or conversation. Download it: formatted for printing as a booklet or formatted for use on your screen. It is also available in hardcopy at the church and is included in this year’s Advent kits.

And if all of that is just too much, simply light the candles as the weeks go by and claim a little brightness as the nights grow longer.

Advent Calendar
If you didn’t sign up for an Advent kit to make your own scratch art calendar or receive the Sanctified Art devotional, consider one or more of these resources:

• check out these free offerings from Praying in Colour and fill in rather than scratch off a calendar.
• sign up for a daily Advent devotional email from PWRDF (the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund): Threads of Hope
• Advent Word offers you a word each day to contemplate and invites you to capture your thoughts with a photograph to be shared (or not) via social media

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Something to Wonder

Where is the joy?

This Advent, we are spending time with the idea of joy:

“true joy is not the same thing as happiness or excitement.  Those emotions depend on what’s going on around us.  Joy depends on what’s going on inside us.  It’s an orientation of the heart that does not deny the suffering of the world around us or of our own experiences but that holds that sorrow in relationship with the love of God, the love of community, and the love of creation.”   (from the 2021 Candle Lighting Prayers and Reflections)

What does “joy” mean to you?

Be on guard so your hearts are not weighed down

There is much to weigh down our hearts – problems big and small that make it difficult for us to be alert to the nearness of the kingdom of God. Take some time to acknowledge those burdens. Consider which problems feel the heaviest and why it’s those ones. End your contemplation in prayer, asking God for strength and stamina and, yes, even joy in the face of those problems.

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Something to Learn

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

by His Holiness the Dalai lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams

Over the course of one week, these two spiritual leaders shared a conversation on the meaning and cultivation of joy. Read an excerpt.

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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 Feast of the Reign of Christ
Nov 21, 2021

John 18:33-37

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  

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Something to Do

… listens to my voice

There are many ways to listen to Jesus’ voice and yet it is also very easy to avoid. Make some time this week to pay attention in whatever way feels right to you.

• Make a date with a wise friend or guide to have a faith conversation.
• Spend time in deep silence.
• Listen to music that feeds your soul.
• Read this week’s Gospel passage every day.
• Read the whole story around the passage (i.e. the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection as recounted in the gospel according to John).

What do you hear?

Lord of the Dance

The Feast of the Reign of Christ is the last Sunday in the liturgical year, drawing our attention to the whole of Jesus’ story and pointing towards the kingdom of God. This Sunday, we will sing the story with the hymn Lord of the Dance. Get a head start with these versions:

The Dubliners

The Heath Mount School Choir

Jean Watson

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Something to Wonder

So…you are a king?

Pilate was incapable of understanding who Jesus was because he was incapable of thinking beyond his own experiences and assumptions. The Feast of the Reign of Christ meet Pilate where he is – “you say I am a king” – and then pushes beyond it by challenging what is means to have power.

In what ways do your assumptions – whether about power or love or God or anything else – limit your understanding of Jesus?

Everyone who belongs to the truth

What does it mean to belong to the truth?

That’s all – just sit with that.

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Something to Learn

Politics in the time of Jesus

The Gospels name a variety of political leaders – kings, governors, prefects. Who were these people and how did they relate to Rome and to Judea?

The Encyclopedia Britannica offers a fascinating overview and PBS’ “A Portrait of Jesus’ World” offers bite sized insights from a variety of scholars.

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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 24th Sunday after Pentecost
Nov 7, 2021

Mark 13:1-8

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”  

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Something to Do

Not one stone will be left

We build great buildings and monuments to honour the people and institutions we revere – and perhaps to defy the passing of time. The reality is, of course, that nothing lasts forever and keeping things in perspective helps to guard against idolatry, complacency, and hubris.

Go to a building or monument that is significant to you and read this story there, in attempt to see from God’s-eye-view.

Make an omelette

At the risk of trivializing matters of great importance – you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. I think that Jesus is pointing out the truth that the birth of the Kingdom of God on earth is going to create a great upheaval. There will be many who oppose this transformation and many will rise up against it. Watch for such signs but do not be alarmed – they are not the end of the story.

Break some eggs and make an omelette.

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Something to Wonder

Beware that no one leads you astray

What (or who) can lead you astray from attending to God’s will?
Why can it do that? What has happened in the past when you have followed it on the path?
How have you found your way back?
How can you guard against it?

…the beginning of the birth pangs

Bringing something of significance to fruition is rarely a straightforward, painless process – whether that is a creative project, a relationship, a life (re)direction, a degree, or a baby. When have you experienced birth pangs? What did they feel like? Were they worth it?

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Something to Learn

The Destruction of the Temple, 70CE

The Temple that Jesus knew was the Second Temple, built around 515BCE. It was destroyed by the Romans during the siege on Jerusalem in 70CE, in retaliation for the Jewish uprising. Mark wrote his account of Jesus either shortly before or shortly after this time.

Read the wikipedia article on these events here.

Read a short essay on the impact for ancient Jews from MyJewishLearning.com here.

Read excerpts from the only historical document we have from this time, written by the Jewish scholar Josephus, on EyeWitnesstoHistory.com here.

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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.