December 17 The Anchor Cross
the dock. The anchor is a symbol for hope. Hope is our trust in God’s promises. When our lives are filled with trouble, hope in God keeps us from sinking or drifting away.
The word "anchor" only appears in two places: one in the Book of Acts (Ch. 27) where Paul is on a ship in a storm and the sailors are using the sea anchor to try to save the ship. The other in is Hebrews 6 where our hope in God’s promise is an anchor. It is a hope that leads us behind the curtain of death into the presence of God.
Text Hebrews 6:10-15, 17-20
For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving others, as you still do. And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. When God made a promise to Abraham ...saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply you.” .. . And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. When God desired to show even more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it by an oath, … We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered.
From the prayer of Zechariah (John the baptist's father)
"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.” Come, dear Christ child, be our strength and guide.
December 18 The Cluster of Grapes
The cluster of grapes is a symbol of the fruit followers of Jesus are
called to bring into the world. The fruit Jesus wants us to grow in our lives is love; Love for others and for God (John 13:34-35). Grapes make good juice and are also a reminder of the joy we have in a life of loving and walking with Jesus .
John 15:1-8
”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Now it Begins - Jeffery Kanode
Do angels still sing? Do shepherds still journey?
Do wise men still have gifts to give?
After all this time could there still be songs unsung,
Strength left unspent, gifts still to give?
Every year, every day unfolds anew. Still the Word, Still the Church,
Still this tired world. God whispers, “See what love can do?”
See what my love can do: Lepers embraced, untouchables touched.
Fishermen and tax collectors become apostles, saints.
December 19 The Lamp and the Candle
wick or string sticking out. By lighting the wick you could light the room.
We use candles at home when the electricity is out or at church to signify God's presence and the light of wisdom.
Text: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
What does it mean for you to claim today that you are the light of the world? What does it mean to say that your essential vocation is to shine so brightly that others may discover God’s holy light within themselves? God’s light radiates from within us and there is nothing we can do about it. We have the ability to let our light shine in varying degrees of brightness and color, and shape, for our own well being and that of others as well. Try it out. (by Bruce G. Epperly)
O light eternal, surpassing all created brightness flash forth the lightening from above and enlighten the inmost recesses of my heart. Cleanse, cheer, enlighten and enliven my spirit with all its powers. Amen. (Thomas a Kempis)
December 20 The Chalice and the Star
In church we use a chalice in church during
communion for the grape juice. On the night before Jesus died he ate a Passover dinner with his disciples. As he passed the cup he declared it a sign of the new covenant. A Biblical covenant establishes the relationship between God and humanity.
This star is a six pointed star, a star of David , a sign of Judaism. Jesus brings the promises of the Old Testament (or covenant) to fulfillment. In the Exodus, remembered in the Passover, God set the Hebrew slaves free. In Christ God aims to set all people free not only from oppression and fear but from sin and death.
Text: Matthew 26:19,26-28
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal...While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel ...It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt,.. This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest
O God, You are very near to us, nearer than we know, nearer than we expect. Yet, You most always come to us as surprise, for we are so rational. Surprise us with joy, for we believe our doubts, our fears, our sorrows, our hurts. A weary sophistication dims our vision; there is nothing new to be seen in the world, nothing new to be seen in us. We seek to make do rather than make room. Come to us in Your gentle power, Your sudden mercy. Surprise us with joy. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
December 21 The World and Eternity
The circle is a symbol of the world and of eternity. The rays of light that fill the world is God who is everywhere and fills all things with
life. God is at work in the beauty of nature and of the stars. All the good things the creatures of earth need to live come from God.
The eight pointed star is a sign of
redemption. If you look very closely at the center of the circle you will see a butterfly which is a symbol of the resurrection. God is not only present with us in this world and this life but gives us hope of eternal life.
Text: John 1: 1-5, 9-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ...The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Where he came from, who he was, he showed by what he taught and by the evidence of his life. He showed he was the herald, the Reconciler, our Savior, the Word, a spring of life and peace flooding over the whole face of the earth. Through him, to put it briefly, the universe has become an ocean of blessings. (Clement of Alexandria)
December 22 The Crown Of Life
Sometimes we feel helpless because of all the wars and fighting, but Jesus calls us to keep working and speaking about the world God envisions. The Bible says, “Everyone who stands the test of living a life of love will receive the crown of life that Jesus promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). “
Text :Philippians 3:13-16
Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it (the power of Christ’s resurrection); but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
“Bring Forth the Kingdom” Words by Marty Haugen
1.You are salt for the earth, O people: Salt for the kingdom of God!
Share the flavor of life, O people: Life in the kingdom of God!
3 You are a seed of the Word, O people,: Bring forth the Kingdom
of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice grow in the kingdom
of God!
4. Yu are a blest and a pilgrim people: Bound for the kingdom of
God! Love our journey and love our homeland: Love is the
kingdom of God!
Refrain: Bring forth the kingdom of mercy, bring forth the kingdom of peace; bring forth the kingdom of justice, bring forth the city of God!
December 23 The Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Baby in the Manger
The stable with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus reminds us that Jesus came from God to live with us. He came to a poor family. He wasn’t born in a palace though he was a king.
There was no room for baby Jesus to be born in a house. His bed was a feed box for the cows. This is a sign that God loves people who are poor and lonely and sad, not just the rich and powerful. Jesus came to make God’s kingdom of justice a reality on earth. Christmas is where that work begins.
Text Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
What is a vision? An image of the God of Sarah and Abraham who led the people into new lands. God’s vision is a new earth that does not conform to this world but is transformed by the renewal of our minds and the commitment of our hearts. Imagine!
We are a people who have a vision, who are seeking a homeland, a better place. Imagine. The vision awaits its time. If it seems slow wait for it. it will surely come.
December 24 Christmas Eve The Chrismon Tree
The Chrismon Tree is itself a symbol. Full grown from the
branch sprouting from the stump of Jesse. God’s promise of a wise ruler, a counselor, one who would act to bring justice and who would care for all his people is fulfilled in Jesus.
The evergreen is a sign of the abundant life of faith, life which
never ends. On its branches the Chrismons remind of the one
whose birth we celebrate tonight.
Text: Luke 2:7-15
And (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you
good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Enter this night quietly.
Here is mystery Peace, Hope, Life, Glory.
This is Bethlehem, Christ is born.
God is here.
Bring your gift.
Love. (Nesby)
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