Advent & Christmas

Staying With Grace Jn: 3/3-6: So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, "Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins." As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: "Someone is shouting in the desert: 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel! Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth. The whole humankind will see God's salvation!' " This period of advent for me is staying with grace. And staying with grace is staying with you, my Lord, the One who refreshes and makes new my day, Who lessens my fascination with futile things and awakens me to what only counts. Keep touching me inwardly, Lord, these days until the light of insight dawns. Do not allow the flicker of light to die before it becomes a living flame consuming me. Make me treasure the dawn that grows in me, Make me dwell on the voice that speaks inaudibly these days. Make me cherish the moment of illumination. Attune me to the tender beginnings of your inspiration, when your calling came to me Oasis in the wasteland of my life, still the noise of daily chatter that I may hear anew the murmur of the living waters running through the universe. Mellow me, Lord, refine my receptivity that I may surrender graciously to the blessings you bestow on me. Let me hear your invitation whispered gently like the rains of spring. Give me an angels wing to rise with you, Eternal Lord, to light the shadows of this dying earth with candles of compassion. Amen. .The whole human race will see God's salvation!' " Blind man with the lantern Birth narratives: 1

1) Gods merit alone: from our barrenness to fruitfulness; from our littleness to your abundance; from our brokenness to your grace-filled lives. 2) Obstacles and hurdles for birthing: Hegelian ideology 3) Credentials & Credibility Options: a) Controlling, Overenrolled, uninvolved, emphatic and encounter a) Gods salvation in Jesus: Credentials & Credibility In Mt 1/1-17: Credentials; 1/18-28/20: Credibility b) Credentials: Jew & Royal: Abraham & David; also Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Mary a) Prostitute, Gentile, sin of the flesh b) Our background, family, caste, tribe.. c) Jesus brings together: -Male & Female -Jew & Gentile -Saint & Sinner b) Credibility: By words & action By life & witness By compassion & forgiveness By miracles & wisdom By suffering, death & resurrection Our credibility: wherever we come from . Our credibility: wherever we come from . People recognize: -men of prayer -men of compassion -men they can trust -men available . Watching and Waiting L: As we look at the imperfections and problems of our world and our lives, we must realize that Jesus promises something bet2

ter: our Advent longing is for him to come again, bringing the Kingdom of God in its fullness. R: We look at our world, and see war and terrorism, destroying lives and creating fear. We see violence in our streets and homes. We experience anger and hostility. We look for a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R1: We look at our world and see people hungry and thirsty, dying for lack of food and water. We see famines and droughts, disasters and disease taking lives. We experience selfishness and greed. We look for a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 2: We look at our world and see refugees and asylum seekers looking for safety and hope. We see homelessness on our streets. We experience anxiety for financial security for ourselves and our families. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 1: We look at our world and see people persecuted for their beliefs and principles; we see human rights ignored, denied and trampled. We experience intolerance and bigotry. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 2: We look at our world and see unfairness and inequality, as human beings are demeaned and degraded. We see people used and abused. We experience unfair wages and working conditions. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 1: We look at our world and see so much sadness and unhappiness, so many lives burdened by concerns and worries about the present and the future. We experience family breakdowns, betrayal and carelessness, creating misery in our lives. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 2: We see so many situations in our world that could be changed for the better, but people are apathetic and indifferent. We see threats to our environment through selfishness and greed. We experience a lack of care and concern for the needs of 3

others. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. R 1: We see disease and sickness in our world and in our society. And we see death touch every human life, every human heart. We experience the fears of ill health, the anxiety of death, the pain of mourning. We believe in a better world Gods Kingdom to come. IV: Prayer L: We turn to the Lord who is coming and ask him to bring his light, to end this worlds dark night of longing. R: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of warfare and terrorism All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of poverty and hunger All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of homelessness All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of oppression, persecution and denial of human rights All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of inequality and unfair practices in our society All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of anxiety and unhappiness All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of apathy and indifference All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. Reader: Come, Lord Jesus, break the chains of sickness, disease and death All: The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon. L: We pray for Gods Kingdom to come, in the words Jesus taught us: Our Father 4

Concluding Prayer Father in heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek him. May the darkness not blind us to the vision of wisdom which fills the minds of those who find him. We ask this through Christ our Lord.