Sunday Stretch: Vol. 14

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

OH MY GOSH CHRISTMAS IS A WEEK AWAY!

Christmas is coming.

And there’s a real temptation to just rush on through this fourth Sunday of Advent heedlessly, carelessly - because there is so much to prepare for, and yes, the kids are off school for the entire next two weeks and there are gifts to wrap and meals to prepare and, if you’re a church worker, so many little details to perfect, like who is in charge of the lights during the candlelight singing of Silent Night.

Early in my first-call congregation in Chicago, on my first Christmas Eve candlelight service, I forgot to designate someone to be in charge of dimming the lights during Silent Night. It was borderline unforgivable, and 0/10 would not recommend making this mistake.

But I’m begging you, I’m begging myself, I’m begging our world and our churches to not rush through this fourth Sunday of Advent. It stands up on its own. It contains within it the hope, peace, and joy of the three previous weeks and it ties it all together with the thing we all want so badly but sometimes don’t remember is an action as well as a feeling. LOVE. I wish you LOVE today, just as God so LOVED the world that God gave the world Godself in the birth of the baby Jesus, God Incarnate. Let’s enjoy these familiar Bible passages together …

Here’s my two cents: Santa doesn’t have to be all about presents and consumerism. Santa can be a reminder of the magical miracle of love and faith. I’m a big fan of Santa.

Bible Stories

Here are some weekly readings (from the Revised Common Lectionary), and some reflection thoughts/questions:'