02Advent2020

(this is the text of a devotional pamphlet that was printed doublesided on 8.5 x 14 paper and delivered to local teens along with a few Tootsie Rolls)

And we’re back! Cuz that’s how we ROLL!

 

We told you last week about Advent, that church thing with candles and calendars between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Do you remember what “Advent” means? That’s right, it means “arrival.” Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, and we think about the arrival of Jesus. We get ready for it and we think about what it means to people today that Jesus came to earth in the first place.

A reminder that Lakeview UMC wants to give you some things to think about before Christmas, and we’ll give you candy. And you’re welcome to tell friends. If you email LakeviewWVUMC@gmail.com we’ll make sure to add info for your friends. (Also email if you have particular candy allergies)

So the first Sunday of Advent was November 29, and we lit the candle of HOPE. Sunday December 6 is the second Sunday of Advent, and we light the candle of PEACE. Each week as we light an additional candle, we are “celebrating” the light coming into the world.

(Each Advent candle has a theme. The themes can be changed, but the basic set is the candle of HOPE, then PEACE, then JOY, then LOVE, followed by the Christ candle).

2.1. A reflection for the second week of Advent
Peace. That’s this week’s candle. But what does “peace” mean?

You might think that peace is the opposite of “war”, so maybe peace has to do with not killing each other or even fighting with each other. And that makes a certain amount of sense, but we can all imagine a home where there isn’t fighting, but there also isn’t peace. Peace is more than just an absence of conflict – peace includes an element of “wholeness,” of “original design,” of the way things are supposed to be.

The Hebrew word for that is “shalom” and it’s written like this: (inserted graphic of the word shalom in Hebrew)

(remember that Hebrew is written right to left. That W-looking part with the dot above it is pronounced SH, the character next to it is pronounced L, and the boxy character on the left is like M.)

(Here’s a thing you could do: copy that word a few times while thinking about peace. That could be part of your prayer today.)

Thinking about a home at shalom (hey that rhymes) it would be what it’s supposed to be. Not just a lack of conflict but the presence of a feeling of safety and belonging, of contentedness (contentedness is a deeper kind of happiness, I think). A home at shalom has love and warmth and no negative pressure.

There’ll be more about shalom in the next reflection, but now it’s your turn: what makes you feel comfortable, peaceful, contented? Try to write it down, or maybe draw it.

A prayer: Dear God, sometimes things are so busy and hectic. Let me rest in silence for a moment, with the knowledge that you are here and that you are good. Amen.

 

 

2.2. A reflection for the second week of Advent
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Wait a minute, wasn’t this last week’s reflection? Well, yes, last week’s second reflection started that way. That verse is Isaiah chapter 9 verse 2, and last week we talked a bit about light and hope and the need for Advent.

The prophet Isaiah continues. Verse 6 says, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called ‘Wonderful,’ ‘Counselor,’ ‘Mighty God,’ ‘Everlasting Father,’ [and here’s the kicker:] ‘Prince of Peace.’”

Isaiah is speaking to a people who are living in a land where there are kings at war with each other. Not peace. Not shalom. Not the way things are supposed to be. And the people feel like this war is always going to be going on, like things are never going to get better.

Now I know you can relate with that. It sure seems like life will never be “normal” again, that not only will we always have to deal with COVID, but that there will always be some kind of fighting going on.

And that’s why we need Jesus. We believe Jesus is the Son of God, and that he is the Prince of Peace. We believe that a life where we pay attention to Jesus is going to give us peace inside, and if we have peace inside, we can pretty much put up with just about anything.

Isaiah, by the way, was telling those people that the wars would not last forever; in fact, God would be sending someone into the world soon – like in their lifetimes – and the wars they were experiencing would be no more.

And you guessed it, we’ll talk more about that later! And that leads us to another Advent prayer:

Dear God, it can be hard to believe that the world, my world, won’t always be messy. Thank you for hearing my prayer, and for teaching me to trust in you. You know what is really going on, and I am learning to trust that you are safe and you are good. Amen.

 

Remember: email or call the church or Pastor Kerry if you have questions, or want a Bible, or if you want to share this thing with a friend. We’ll get another reflection to you on Monday!