-Pastor Melissa Fain- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 NRSV Did you know being serious doesn’t mean you can’t have fun? Being a Christian is very serious business. The Bible tells us being a Christian means loving our enemy, praying for those who treat us poorly, helping those who are sick, poor or are in prison all while being humble.[1] We can get so caught up in how serious it all is we can forget that part of being a Christian is also about celebration. Even when the world is so serious, and it seems like everything is going wrong, we must celebrate when something goes right: When those who are lost are found, or when the needs of those who need are met. Christmas is a time to celebrate. God wants everyone to be part of that celebration. Everyone has an invite, so when someone finally shows up, we rejoice. [1] Matt 5:43-48, Matt 25:31-46, Matt 6:1 Question: What can you celebrate today? Prayer: Dear God, praise you! Praise you in your house! Praise you in Heaven! Praise your great works! Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:8-14 NRSV Did you know during the time of Jesus’ birth people didn’t keep sheep on farms? Shepherds kept sheep in fields. Shepherds were like nomads. Nomads are people who don’t have a permanent place to live and they travel where they can find work, or where they can find what they need. Sheep need to eat, so shepherds take the sheep where there is grass so they can graze. Shepherds did not have it easy. They were out in the rain and dirt all the time. They could not take a break, because the sheep had to be constantly watched. Think about that! They were invited to Jesus’ birth, and they came! It wasn’t royalty or priests that got the angelic invitation. It was the busy dirty shepherds! Those on the outside were given special honor and invited in! The shepherds remind us that all of us have a place in God’s story; all of us (no matter how busy) are asked to make time for God. Question: When are you going to make time for God this week? Prayer: Dear God, help us see we are valuable to you, and help us make time for you. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 NRSV Did you know there is a difference between patience and anticipation? Both are waiting for something that we expect to come. We know that Christmas is only 12 days away. Patience means we accept that wait without getting upset about it. Anticipation is different. Anticipation is not only waiting for an event or object but getting excited about its arrival! Anticipation is always tied to something we want to happen. Remember when we talked about the four parts of Advent? We’ve already talked about two of those parts: Hope and Peace. Joy, the next part, is super special because it lets us know our hope and planning for that hope is for a purpose. Joy has no other choice but to burst through, because we realize we’re working towards something that is real. Remember Mary’s song? Well, that is part of the joy we feel. We are not only waiting for Christmas, we’re anticipating it! Christ is coming! Christ is coming indeed! Question: What are you anticipating this Christmas? Prayer: Dear God, our souls magnify you, and our spirits sing out! Thank you! Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 35 In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 NRSV Did you know Santa gained everything he has today from a real live Saint?! St. Nicholas was born in the year 280 in what we now call today, Turkey. When he was still pretty young, his parents passed away, leaving him with a small fortune. It’s believed he used his money in very meaningful ways. For example, there was the story of how he saved a very poor family with three girls. There was a time a woman couldn’t get married until their family had something called a dowry. A dowry is a payment or a giving of property to the groom’s family before she could marry into the family. The money is supposed to help the woman if something happens to her husband, or to be used to start a new family. This poor family had no money for a single dowry. The father, left with no other option, was planning to sell his daughters into slavery. St. Nicholas secretly paid the dowries for all three girls, saving them from that terrible fate. It is also said he stopped an execution by ripping the sword out of the executioner’s hand and telling him to stop. By saving the man’s life, the condemned man later asked for forgiveness for his wrongdoings. Imagine being so bold in your desire for justice! Nicholas would eventually become a Bishop (one of the important leaders of the Catholic Church) and eventually would become a saint. We remember St. Nicholas on his feast day: December 6. Question: What have you enjoyed giving? Prayer: Dear God, give us the passion so we can give to others. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 NRSV Did you know the stars we see in the night sky give us light that is hundreds of years old? It takes light time to travel. It moves so fast we can’t see it when it’s nearby. Stars are very far away, so that twinkle takes years to reach us. The Bible says when Jesus was born a star shone brightly in the sky. It would have been light that was years, possible hundreds of years old! Imagine your bedroom had a timer. When you flipped the switch, it didn’t turn on until 15 minutes later. Think about how much you would have to pre-plan and have patience to use that light! Now imagine that light takes hundreds of years! The star is a reminder that God’s plans are in the works way before we realize they are. They are also unstoppable. No person could stop that starlight. It was coming, and just when it needed to come. That starlight was already there when Mary sang her song. That starlight was already there when Joseph did the right thing. The light was already there while shepherds and sheep did their thing in the fields, unaware they would be part of an epic story. They just couldn’t see it yet. The star reminds us to be patient with God’s plan. It’s coming, and it can’t be stopped. Question: What do you need to be patient for right now? Prayer: Dear God, help us as we wait for Christmas. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-4 NRSV Did you know that light is a form of energy? Did you also know energy cannot be destroyed? It’s true! It changes into something else. Like light. Light from the sun turns into heat, and it warms the earth. It turns into energy that plants use to make food. It’s sucked up into solar panels and turns into electricity. Light is the energy we can see. We know it exists because it floods our rooms when we flip a switch, light a candle, or turn on a flashlight. When the Bible writers talk about “the Word,” they are talking about two things: First, all the “words” in the beginning of the Bible. It’s what we call the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. More importantly, they are talking about Jesus. Jesus is the Word made seeable. Jesus came to show how those many words in our Bible were true. Like light, Jesus came so we could see God. Christmas is that light shining in the darkness. That light cannot be destroyed. We can take it and use it to transform hearts and minds. It warms us, gives us energy, and electrifies our lives. It began with light, but it’s so much more today. Question: In what ways has God shined in your darkness? Prayer: Dear God, alight in us, giving us your energy and power to act in this world. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 NRSV Did you know that the right choice isn’t always the easy choice? Actually, the right choice can often be far more difficult than the wrong choice. Oskar Schindler was a German businessman in pre-WWII Germany. He was wealthy. In WWII he could have taken the easy path. He could have focused on himself, and his needs. No one was after him. Instead, he began spending his money to save Jews during the Holocaust. What is the Holocaust? It was real bad. Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party, convinced Germany that being Jewish was wrong. Millions were killed in something called concentration camps. Schindler knew this wasn’t right. To do what was right, he used his own money and resources to save Jews. It wasn’t easy, but it was right. He ended up saving about 1,100 people. Joseph could have taken the easy path too. In his mind he had two choices: Either, he could take Mary to the Jewish authorities as an unwed, pregnant woman and the authorities would kill her, or he could quietly break off the engagement and she would slowly die of starvation in the streets. In either case, Joseph would be just fine. In his mind, maybe she could survive being quietly let go. That was the option he was going to choose, until God gave him a third choice: Do what was right. Stay engaged. Raise the child as his own. This would not be the easy choice for Joseph, but it was the right one. Question: When did you have a choice that was not easy, but it was right? Prayer: Dear God, help us do what’s right, even if it doesn’t feel good. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NRSV Did you know that wrapping gifts have been around since the 1700’s, when the Japanese used fabric? In the United States, we wrapped our gifts in tissue paper. The modern idea of wrapping happened by accident when a pair of brothers, who owned a general store, ran out of tissue paper to wrap holiday purchases. In the back, they found fancy liner they used for envelopes. Not having any other option, they used it. It sold out. When they sold it again the following Christmas the same thing happened! Thus, a new business was born when the Hall brothers started Hallmark. When we see presents under the Christmas tree, we might focus on how it is wrapped. We all know the wrapping is not as important as the present itself. Even if the present is the most beautifully wrapped present we’ve ever seen, we will destroy that wrapping to get to the gift underneath. That’s like you. You have value. You have worth. How you dress yourself up is only how you want others to see you. God finds value in who you really are, and wants you to be the best you, you can be. Question: What was your favorite gift? Prayer: Dear God, thank you that you find value in each and every one of us. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14 NRSV Did you know there is no one else exactly like you? More than that, no one has ever been, or ever will be exactly like you. You are unique. God loves you and created you in your uniqueness. You were not created to be like your co-worker or classmate. Could you imagine?! What kind of world would that be if we were all exactly the same?! Only some of the things would get done because everyone would have the same talents. We are often drawn to people who are different than us, because two different people can work off their strengths and weaknesses. If everyone were the same, we’d never make each other better. That sort of sameness would be like trying to build a Lego car, but all you have are wheels. It just wouldn’t work. Yes, we are unique. All of us. If we are all unique, that means our classmate, our neighbor, everyone is unique. Everyone has something that makes them special. Everyone deserves an opportunity to be part of the group in their uniqueness. God wants us all to be part of the party. God wants us all to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Yes, that includes you; special, unique you! Question: How are you special and unique? Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making each and every one of us. May all of us see, in our uniqueness, we are invited to be part of God’s party. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian -Pastor Melissa Fain- 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5 NRSV Did you know for one Christmas eve night during World War I, there was a pause in the fighting? Dec 24, 1914: In France, the British and Germans were cold, wet, and tired. Trench warfare had turned a quick war into a drawn-out mess. The German side, wanting to keep the sacred celebration of Christ’s birth, decorated trees that night. Then, they began singing “Stille Nacht,” or in English, “Silent Night.” After they finished, the German’s cheered. In response, the British sang the English version of the carol. Throughout the night, along the 500 miles of the Western Front, pockets of soldiers stopped fighting. They wished one another Merry Christmas, as enemies became friends for just one Christmas Eve. Peace is not the lack of action. Peace is not silence. Peace is often the brave first steps of singing with the enemy; of acting when everything says you should stay still. The most courageous people in the world are people of peace. Question: In what ways can you show active peace in your life? Prayer: Dear God, in the middle of chaos, help us be bringers of peace. Amen. Places to connect:
To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts: Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian |
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