Advent IV: Birth of Jesus: Journeying in the World

Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Often this Sunday gets overshadowed by the last-minute preparations around home and church for the grand Christmas Eve celebrations. I invite you to return to the reading, curriculum and calendar* this week after all the presents are unwrapped.

The Planner page suggests pausing throughout the week to consider blessings, and needs. We are also invited to Turn using the words of the Graham Kendrick song, Soften My Heart (1988):

Soften my heart, Lord
Soften my heart
From all indifference
Set me apart
To feel Your compassion
To weep with Your tears
Come soften my heart, O Lord
Soften my heart

Perhaps during your Christmas celebrations you will find an answer to the curriculum’s question “Where have you seen love birthed into the world this week?” Perhaps it was during a Christmas service you attended, while opening presents with family, meditating on a creche scene (like the one in the image from 1989), or while reading or listening to the familiar words from Luke 2:

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she 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.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:1-20)

The Way of Love curriculum* reminds us that “the Way of Love cannot be contained. The Way of love bursts out into the world, crossing boundaries and offering blessings to many. It demands to be told.”

Participants are asked to consider which part of the story ‘reflects where you are today’ and think about some questions like:

• “Where, with whom, and how are you called to share about the good news of Jesus’ life and love?
• What amazes you about God? About God’s love?”

The curriculum* encourages each person to look at their Rule of Life, or to create one with “one spiritual practice in each facet of the Way of Love that they will commit to practice weekly through the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany.”

Have you created a Rule of Life that includes living a Way of Love? Here is a blank planner page to guide you in merging your current rule of life (prayer, exercise, study, etc.) into the Way of Love Rule of Life. Maybe your time at the gym is a time to Go and share God's love. Perhaps you already have a Prayer circle to continue with. Probably you have a form of study to help you Learn. You don't have to totally recreate your Life. A Rule of Life is simply a way to be more intentional and focused in your loving relationship with God, yourself, and others. 

Maybe this prayer from the curriculum* will help you live your commitments.

God who makes the impossible possible, quicken our hearts to follow the shepherds who went with haste to see Jesus and told the world what they had heard and seen. Enliven our imagination to the many ways to walk the Way of Love with Jesus. Strengthen our resolve to remain on the journey with Jesus as individuals, with family and friends, and in community to proclaim your word in the world; through Jesus Christ, your Son, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, one God, whose way is love. Amen.

*Way of Love Advent Curriculum; By Jenifer Gamber and Becky Zartman; Copyright © 2018 by The Episcopal Church;

The Episcopal Church/ 815 2nd Ave/New York, NY 10017