love

December 24, 2013 The box is open!

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Finally!  The last box is open!  December 24’s services are complete, and it is time to share the word.

Here is the box:

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The waiting is over, Christmas is here.

And while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  Luke 2:6

A child, a gift of hope for the world.

Thanks be to God.

 

This is the last post in the tmucadvent2013.wordpress.com blog  We will post links to new blogs here so you can follow along too.  In the meantime, please follow us on Twitter, @tmucWpg  Visit us in Winnipeg at Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Avenue West, or check out our website http://www.tmuc.ca  

Thanks for journeying with us!

Cheers, and blessings

December 23, 2013

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A Charlie Brown Christmas  quotes the Gospel of Luke in giving the real meaning of Christmas.  This is how the quote appears on IMDb:

 

[shouting in desperation]

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

[moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.

[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'”

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus Van Pelt: That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

 
Today’s box finds the expression of the real meaning of Christmas as inspired by Matthew’s Gospel.
 
She will bear a son,
and you are to name him Jesus,
for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21
 
Here’s the photo:  
 
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The real meaning of Christmas is the gift of the child, not the gifts under the tree.  The real meaning of Christmas is in love shared, and time spent with family and friends, and in service to others.  The real meaning of Christmas is found in living out the Gospel message of hope, peace, joy and love.
 
That’s the gift.  That’s why we wait.
 
Just one more day…

December 22, 2013

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Today is the last Sunday of Advent, and the last candle in the circle of the Advent wreath, the candle of love, was lit early in the worship service.

And then it was time.  Eager hands flew up in anticipation of helping to open the box.  We actually opened two boxes together.  We opened yesterday’s ‘Let there be light…’ so we could see the power of the lit box.  And, we opened the box for today.

The wolf shall live with the lamb, 

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf, and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11:6

Here’s what we found:

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It is the words of the passage, doodled with care.  It is the spiritual practice of reflecting on a passage of scripture while writing.  It is a glimpse into our own connection with the words, and our own creativity.

The wolf shall live with the lamb…a statement of hope that the world can indeed be a different place.  ‘…and a little child shall lead them’.  It is a message that this world can be open to a new experience of God.  We can celebrate the love that is around us.  We can feed the hungry, and work for justice.  We can be instruments of peace and joy.  We can, because we are loved, and we believe that the world is not yet as God intends.

As we work for today and for the future, let us do so with in the light of the Advent candles of hope, peace, joy, and love!

Two boxes await!

December 21, 2013

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There were a few of us gathered around the advent boxes when it was time to open this one.  It came with instructions, in small letters of the top of the box.  ‘Turn on switch before opening’.  The anticipation built as we turned on the switch, and opened the shining box.

Lights, and shining paper.  It glowed before us!

The scripture reading:  And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.  Genesis 1:3

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The lights of the box shone forth in glory.  But wait, if you look closely you can see a word in the lights.  ‘Faith’.  There at the back of the box, suing in the lights was the call to faith.

Faith, that God is with us.

Faith, that we are loved.

Faith, that we can make a difference in the world.

Faith, that hope, peace, joy, and love will come together in the birth of a baby in Bethlehem.

Faith.

The lights shine and take our hearts on a journey to Christmas.