Sunday, December 15: Third Sunday in Advent

Angel Voices:  An Advent Conspiracy. Angels—messengers from God —speak to many different people in the stories of Advent & Christmas.  Today we look at the message to the shepherds. They weren’t always trusted.  What does this say about God’s choice of messengers for the Good News?

Read Luke 2:8-20 in preparation for worship.  Imagine the whole scene...  What was it like to be out at night keeping watch over a flock of sheep?  What are you watching for?  How would you react if someone suddenly stood before you and things started to glow?

Saturday, December 14 – LOVE ALL

For God so loved the world...                          —John 3:16 (NRSV)

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.             –Luke 6:32-36 (NRSV)

If we are children of God...who do we stop (or never start) loving?

(For more on the Advent Conspiracy check out www.adventconspiracy.org)

Friday, December 13 – GIVE MORE

And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. –2 Corinthians 9:8 (NRSV)

Most people feel good when they give to the need of another.  This time of year, we’re motivated to recognize those in need around the corner or around the world.  One question:  Why don’t we keep it up all year? Yes, it’s a bit colder this time of year, but do needs for shelter, food & water, clothing, jobs with living wages, healthcare and education go away when it gets warmer?

If we spend less on gifts we can do without and focus on meeting the basic needs of our neighbors, then we are worshiping fully and making our way to loving all.  See elca.org/elcagoodgifts

(For the Advent Conspiracy check out www.adventconspiracy.org) 

Thursday, December 12 – SPEND LESS

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” –Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

The coin of wealth is light and dark.  The light is abundant and generous, providing the necessities of life; given out to help the neighbor.  The dark is scarce and stingy wanting ‘wants’ with worry... of not enough to give away.

SPENDing LESS diminishes the dark and lifts up the light.  When we Worship Fully...Spend Less is easier to see...and do.

But light & dark live on the same coin.  One is never far from the other.  Heads or Tails...which will we choose...this Advent...this Christmas?

Can we make a change this year?  Flip the coin...make a choice...

I will serve you, my master.  (More? $ ______  or  Less? $ ______ )

(For the Advent Conspiracy check out www.adventconspiracy.org)  

Wednesday, December 11 – WORSHIP FULLY: What God desires of us.

Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. ⁷ Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. ⁸ Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, ⁹ and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.                                                            –Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NRSV)

The 1st Commandment is brought to our attention:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might.”   To do this we need to know Him. How does that happen?  Fortunately, we are given the answers. In faith, we each have a responsibility to God's Word.
   1.  vs. 6 = meditation:  bind these words to your heart.  This causes the whole soul to react to the point that all we do for Him is through love.  Pray, listen for, delight in, count on, & seek Him in every circumstance.
   2.  vs. 7a = maintenance through education:  we are challenged to teach with diligence the simple, plain truth of the Bible to our children.
   3.  vs. 7b = pious discourse:  create purposeful discussion and sharing with those you encounter on your life pathway. Share God!
   4.  vs. 8-9 = binding to oneself:  on the hand, before your eyes, written in your very soul so as to never forget you belong to God.  The Bible is all we need as our pathway in life:  to grow in grace, to discern God's will, to do effective evangelism & to develop a loving & just society.  Walk with me, Lord.       by Lou Hanson

 (For the Advent Conspiracy check out www.adventconspiracy.org)