The church season of Advent is steeped in mystery and holiness, yet many churchgoers see it only as the onramp to Christmas. To help people understand and, thus, appreciate the fullness of advent, Building Faith has these three teaching points, complete with links for further study. (Photo: Pavel Hadzinki, Creative Commons)
In the middle of the bustle of the Advent season, it can be easy to forget the reason that we celebrate in the first place. This series of five Advent reflections from Stewardship Services is designed to help Christians recapture the wonder of Advent and discovers the generosity in unconventional places.
Most families are completely wiped out by December the 26th. We stuff ourselves with holiday cheer from Halloween to December the 24th, and we’re ill by Christmas, writes Haley Stewart in Kitchen Stewardship. What’s the alternative? It’s called Advent, and observance this season can help keep us sane. (Photo: Leland Francisco, Creative Commons )
We live in a culture where instant gratification is the norm; even our children learn to expect immediate reward at an early age. Presbyterian Pastor Christopher Edmonston writes eloquently and persuasively about the power of Advent to slow us down and teach us the grace of delayed gratification. Take a deep breath, slow down, and […]
Late in ordinary time is the time that most churches opt to run stewardship campaigns, but Advent is a great season, too, for a lot of reasons. First, worship attendance is usually pretty high. Second, people are already in the giving and spending mood. Third, folks might be open to making a year-end tax deductable […]
Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 13, 2015
This third Sunday of Advent brings us to the turning point, reminding us to remember from whence our help comes, to turn from that which separates us from God, and feast on a heaping helping of hope and joy. (Photo: Dmitry Kichenko, Creative Commons)
Lectionary Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 6, 2015
As stewards of God’s abundance we can choose to do a “new” thing, or at least a different thing during the season of Advent. What if we looked at the road ahead, the days that stand between us and Christmas, as a time to let go of something, to share something, to live more simply, to choose to do less and live more? (Photo: BrunoBrunan, Creative Commons)
Narrative Lectionary Reflection for December 14, 2014 (Year One) Third Sunday of Advent
Sometimes we just need to lift our eyes, open our ears, and tear away those protective layers in which we wrap our hearts in order to hear a word of hope. Read this week’s lesson again. Read it out loud. Read it again and again until the words fill the broken and bruised parts of you. Fill yourself with he good news that God is God and is always doing something new. (Photo: Lau Lau Chan, Creative Commons)
First Sunday of Advent, Year B, November 30, 2014
It’s Advent again. What’s a Christian to do? We wait, we hope, we sin, we mess up: wash, rinse, repeat. According to Jesus in Mark’s gospel this week, we must remain awake and be fully present and attentive every day. (Photo: Alan Turkus, Creative Commons)
Lectionary Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, Yr A
December 15, 2013
If life is a highway, then one would do well to travel the hopeful route described in this week’s lesson from isaiah. Maybe now, as Christmas draws ever closer, we need to hear this message of hope. (Photo: Matt McGee, Creative Commons)
