Tag: advent

Where is he who is born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. —Matthew 2:2

For 11-year-old Caroline and her younger brother Tom the days before Christmas seemed to be lasting forever. One afternoon while they were watching television, Dad brought them a surprise. It was an ordinary looking little plant in a small clay pot.

“It’s a Christmas rose,” he said. “There’s a legend about it. Long ago, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, many people brought him gifts. One little girl wanted to give a gift to the baby, too, but her family was so poor she had nothing to take. She was so sad she began to cry. Where her tears fell on the ground, a plant grew up and on the plant a beautiful white flower bloomed. This plant became the girl’s gift to the Christ Child, and its flower was the first Christmas rose. If you two take good care of this plant, I think it will bloom by Christmas morning.”

Tom and Caroline agreed to watch over the Christmas rose. At first things did not go well. It was difficult for the two to work together. But as the plant grew and put out new leaves, the children became more and more interested in caring for it.

At last it was Christmas Eve. The plant had almost doubled in size and a bud had appeared at the tip of a stem. Tom and Caroline were excited. They determined to stay up through the night and watch the bud open. More than once they almost drifted to sleep. Not long before dawn, the bud opened. The children saw a beautiful Christmas rose.

Later that morning in church, Caroline and Tom placed the rose on the altar. It was their gift to welcome the newborn Christ Child.

Lord, help us to open our hearts and welcome you in once again. Teach us your ways.

Guy Johnson

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:6-7

Can you imagine how Mary felt when baby Jesus was laid in her arms on that cold lonely night?

Thirty-two years ago a baby was put into my arms. After years of trying to start a family followed by several years of missteps in the adoption process, my husband and I were finally going to receive a baby. We were overwhelmed with gratitude that our fervent and constant prayers were being answered. We were also terrified, as most new parents must be, at the magnitude of the responsibility we were taking on.

We had waited years. Then we had waited three days since the baby’s birth. Now we found ourselves waiting endless hours to actually receive our baby boy. Those hours crawled by, filled in turn with anxiety, excitement and fear.

Finally Ms. Georgia was there, carrying a little blanket-wrapped bundle. I couldn’t believe it was happening. She placed the baby in my arms and I felt the blessings of God’s holy universe descend on me. A warmth enveloped the top of my head and slowly flowed down my torso to my toes. It felt like every atom in my body was vibrating with an indescribable love.

For Mary, an angel promised a baby boy, the son of God. Surely through the months of waiting Mary felt anxiety. Holding that little cloth-wrapped infant for the first time must have been profoundly overwhelming. Just imagine the divine love that enveloped her at that moment!

And the angels sang!

God of unfathomable love, prepare our hearts in this season of Advent to welcome once again the birth of the Christ Child. Open us to the mystery of Emmanuel, God With Us, so that we can feel your all-abiding presence in every facet of our lives. Amen.

Betty Schroeder

They saw Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. —Matthew 2:11

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When Goudchaux fashioned a window display for Christmas 1957, my father took us to see Santa Claus. This Santa Claus patted his knee and belly laughed. His laughter was infectious. Mr. Bingle, the Goudchaux snowman and several of Santa’s elves displayed all the children’s favorite toys—new buxom Barbies, Ken, Tonka trucks, Hula hoops, pogo sticks, baby dolls, tea sets, chemistry sets, a peg pounding tablet, a nurse’s kit, basketballs, tennis rackets, baseball bats, western hats and gun holsters, Howdie Doodie dolls. 

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My father had a mission in taking us to see the window display. As with every good father, he aspired to find just the right Christmas present that would please each child. In post-World War II, he went to LSU on the GI Bill and became a lawyer. After the first hard years of eating potato soup and paying off a huge medical bill, he finally had money to spend on Christmas and this would be the BEST CHRISTMAS ever. It would make up for all those hard times. Poverty was an old friend. He remembered his letter to his father, written when he was in a Catholic orphanage in North Carolina in 1929. He dearly wanted a Bible. Could his father in Louisiana send him a Bible? But Grandpa Austin had a new family and new children. Cameron, La., was a harsh place to raise cattle and a family. There would be no Bible that year.

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When Christmas 1957 came, my twin sister Sharon and I received our chemistry sets, nurses kits and Barbie dolls. Martha got tea sets, baby dolls and doll clothes. Junior got Tonka trucks and a cowboy hat with vest, gun and holster. We were all thrilled with our gifts. But most special of all: on the table there were Bibles inscribed to each of us from our father. I did not know then how much the Bibles meant to Daddy. It was after he and Mama died that I found that letter to Grandpa Austin. And I will cherish the gift of the Bible and the gift of his love of Jesus. 

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What special gift will you give this year?

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Father, Thank you for all the gifts you have given to us: especially the gift of your son, Jesus, born during this Christmas season. We are so grateful for our time, talents, compassion and necessities. We ask that we become generous givers during this Christmas season. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

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Grandy Sandy Davis 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And an angel of God appeared to them and the glory of God shone on them and they became very afraid. But, the angel said to them “Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy, that will be for ALL the people” —Luke 2: 8,9 (NIV)

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I can imagine the shepherds that night, perhaps sitting chatting by a fire at the end of the evening. They must have felt at home in their place of work, comfortable in the routine of one more evening of the same old routine. 

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God, I believe, often breaks into our places of routine and comfort. His surprise may come in the birth of a child, the death of a friend or a great flood. It is interesting to see in Scripture that the appearance of angels does not in itself always result in fear. I wonder what it was about these angels that frightened the shepherds? 

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Change by itself is not necessarily frightening, but I think it is the surprise of moving out and away from the familiar. Our routine may feel like the welcome place, but often it is the extraordinary miracles of life that bring us to a new place of welcome.

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Gracious God of surprise, may we be attentive this Advent season to the new ways you draw us to yourself. May the places of surprise in our lives lead us to see the gift of new life you offer us.

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Deirdré Halliburton

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“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” —Matthew 6:34

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One year was very financially hard for us. It was close to Christmas, and we knew we would not be able to give our two daughters gifts as the year before. We called a family meeting in the kitchen in order to explain to our 10- and 8-year-old daughters.

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I promised them that we would try and make this an eventful Christmas if nothing else. The girls were very understanding and told us not to worry. The first thing we did was to wrap boxes that had a strip of paper with a prayer or scripture written on it that they had picked out. I did not want a barren Christmas tree. That would have been sad.

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We made things by hand, construction paper chains and other handmade ornaments and bows. Through our home church we found of a need for delicately used toys for homeless children. We went through their toys, they each picked out what they no longer used, and we wrapped them and brought them to church. The girls had a lot of fun doing this. We did things with fruit and homemade pastries. We sewed things from outgrown clothes to give away. We were blessed that we had food.

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This poor Christmas turned out to be the best Christmas ever; our girls, now 51 and 49, still bring up these memories during the Holidays.

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This special Christmas taught us all that gifts are better given than received and a much better understanding of that statement. We always kept Christ in Christmas, but this year was especially dear to us.

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Dear Lord our Savior, we so often get caught up in the moment of Christmas that we forget the real meaning of why you were born. You give us so much to be thankful for. Help us realize that you came as a gift to us and that is the only gift we will ever need. We worship your HOLY NAME. Amen.

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Kathleen Adams

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18: 3

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Do you remember standing on tiptoe to be able to see the freshly baked cookies cooling on the counter? Perhaps you have stood on tiptoe to watch a magical window display of a tiny train chugging its way through a miniature snow-covered village. Or maybe you have stood on tiptoe to peer into a box of endearing, fluffy puppies. 

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We stand on tiptoe in anticipation and excitement. We stand on tiptoe with the hope of seeing something wonderful, something that brings joy, something that brings fulfillment of expectation.

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Advent is a season of anticipation, a season of longing. It is a time when we find ourselves cautiously watchful. We seek to fill that spot in our hearts that somehow reaches out to the mystery of the divine. In the timelessness of eternity we long once again for the coming of the Messiah. Our hearts ache for a Christmas peace that will envelope the globe, a peace that will shatter prejudice and hatred and banish war.

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Our society and traditions will surely call us to all manner of celebratory activities and frenetic preparations for the holiday season – shopping for gifts, decorating the house, attending parties and concerts. But let’s remember, every day, to stand under the stars, to peer into the darkness, to be present to the holy mystery of the promise of Advent. 

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Stand on tiptoe! You might hear a heavenly choir or feel the brush of an angel’s wings.

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O God of promise, in this season of waiting, help us rediscover in ourselves the simple joy and enthusiasm of a child as we once again await the coming of the promised Messiah. Amen.

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Betty Schroeder 

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I sought the LORD and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:4 (CEB)

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If we’ve worked together on any project you know I’m a perfectionist. I also really like things done my way. This applies to pretty much every aspect of my life (except maybe house cleaning … but that’s another story). I put a lot of time and emotional energy into ensuring my family’s life runs smoothly and my girls have fun activities and enriching experiences.

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So when something comes along to muck up my carefully planned schedule, it is UNWELCOME.

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Jane’s broken arm a week and a half before her sixth birthday, a week before her long-planned trampoline birthday party: UNWELCOME. 

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But there’s room for unwelcome, even in such an ordeal. We were given the gift of more down time and more snuggles. We had an even more fun party without the risk to her arm and a very happy birthday girl. And we gained an appreciation of our family’s health, knowing we could return to life-as-we-know-it in a few months’ time despite the setback. 

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While I will never welcome an injury to either daughter, I can reflect on the good to come out of even bummer situations.

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Father, give us eyes to see the blessings even in the unwelcome events that come our way. Help us make space in our hearts for you as we continue our Advent journey this year. Amen.

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Mari Walker

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. —John 1:14

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Would you believe that there are apps that actually count down the days, minutes and seconds until Christmas? No joke. If I want to know where I stand in getting it all done, I can merely click a button and there it is. Down to the nanosecond!

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As I think of preparing for Christmas, lots of images fill my head. Not visions of sugar plums but lists upon lists, decorations that need to be pulled out and put up, dinners to plan, gifts to buy, more lists, the preparations seem never ending no matter how organized I think I am. And there are those precious seconds ticking down to Christmas day.

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Deep breath. Deep breath.

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As we walk into church my eyes are drawn to a beautiful evergreen wreath encircling candles in the center. This simple symbol quietly announces the season of Advent in preparation of our hearts for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. 

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Memories wash over me of advent wreaths of my youth and of the simple advent wreaths my children made when they were small. As newcomers to St. John’s, we are here because Jesus is welcomed in this sacred place. Come, let us adore Him.

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Lord Jesus, You are welcomed in this place. Amen.

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Lynn Lohmann 

We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. —Romans 12:6a

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Soon after we moved to Baton Rouge I joined a First Presbyterian Church women’s Bible study that was held at a member’s house each week. The welcome we all received was warm, to say the least. The host always had a delicious snack, hot coffee and plenty of comfortable seating for our in-depth study of Scripture.

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As it got closer to Christmas our host began to use her gorgeous Christmas dishes to serve the group. They were lovely and perfectly suited to the household including matching plates and bowls of various sizes, mugs, themed silverware and sparkling glasses. I coveted those dishes. I started looking online at Christmas dishes and perusing sets in stores, wondering if I should buy my own set.

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But I remembered – I don’t host a Bible study. I don’t even host family meals for the most part. If I bought Christmas dishes they would be taking up space, and at the time we lived in a small one-bedroom apartment.

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I don’t have the gift of hospitality that our Bible study host showed us week after week. Invitations to my home are few and far between, not because I wouldn’t welcome you in but because it’s not a natural reflex or habit.

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God has given me other gifts with which to serve and connect. So far those gifts don’t include the need for a set of Christmas dishes!

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Father, strip away our desire for more, more, more. Allow us to focus our attention on the coming of your Son and the beautiful miracle of His birth. Show us our gifts and teach us to use them well. Amen.

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Mari Walker 

Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. 

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“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. —Matthew 24:4-14 (NRSV)

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I am a physician, and I was recently notified by a patient that she was transferring all her medical care to Livingston Parish and would no longer require my services. She was not dissatisfied with me or my staff, but her reason was that she was “truly afraid” to come to Baton Rouge because of “the fast rising crime rate.” 

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The Advent lectionary is full of apocalyptic scriptures like this excerpt from Matthew’s gospel. We look forward to Christ’s return as well as look back to Christ’s incarnation. I’ve often thought that apocalyptic scriptures cannot resonate with someone like me who lives in comfort and safety. These passages are meant to give hope to someone living under persecution. But my former patient teaches me that persecution or threat can be subjective. I confess that after Hurricane Katrina the rumors of roving bands of thugs from New Orleans caused me to delay lending assistance at the River Center shelter. I thought I needed to protect my family and home. Fear does not facilitate acts of mercy. 

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Faith is not certainty; rather, greater certainty requires less faith and less certainty requires greater faith. Faith is the passion to proceed and persevere without assurance of a desired outcome. Perhaps these apocalyptic scriptures are meant to toughen us up. Perhaps they are meant to prevent us from interpreting failure or adversity as evidence that we are in the wrong. 

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I think the words of this hymn well sum up the apocalyptic scriptures: 

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This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
nThat though the wrong seems oft so strong,
nGod is the ruler yet. 

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Heavenly Father, grant me faith and courage in the face of adversity (perceived or real) so that I may say, “Thus would I have it!” Amen.

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Ray Halliburton