Sunday, December 1, 2024

Theme

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and we are trying something a little different. We will spend some of the time talking about the various symbols of the Advent and Christmas seasons (Garland, tree, paraments, advent candles, etc), and even help put some of them up. These symbols tell us something about the season that we celebrate, and the expectation of the coming of Christ once again into our world and hearts.

We will also be talking a little bit about the Babylonian Exile, and hearing the famous story of Danial in the lion’s den. We have been talking about the prophets who warned of coming destruction if Jerusalem did not improve in their justice and righteousness. In the Exile, the empire of Babylon invaded Judah, tore down the walls around Jerusalem, and destroyed the Temple. Many of the cultural elite were marched in chain-gangs back to Babylon. One of the sets of stories from this time of exile comes from Danial, the larger than life prophet and wiseman. Tales of Daniel span multiple Babylonian emperors, as well as the rise of the Median and Persian empires.

We will consider (at least a little bit) how this metaphor of Exile can be instructive for Christians who’s ultimate allegiance is the Kin(g)dom of God, rather than the nations we find ourselves in.

Questions

– What are some of your favorite Advent and Christmas traditions, do they have a deeper meaning?

– How might our lives be seen as being in exile?

Reflections:

First Sunday of Advent: Hope

Introit: For the four Sundays of Advent, we will use the various verses of “Come Now, O Prince of Peace”, in the order most closely matching the week’s advent candle – making this week verse four, “Come, hope of unity”.

Opening Hymn: The only hymn with reference to Daniel chapter 6 is really a hymn for Lent, so we are sticking strictly to Advent hymns. A must for beginning the season of Advent, with very old roots, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.

Transition Hymn: For Advent, we will sing the hymn “O Come, Emmanuel” as our Transition Hymn.

Special Music: The first preview of the music from our Lesson and Carols program, “O Come, Emmanuel”, arranged by Mary McDonald.

Communion Hymn:  We finish up our year of singing “When at this Table” as the preparation for Communion.

Sending Hymn: For our sending hymn, and engaging Advent hymn based on Isaiah 40:3-5 and Psalm 24:7-10, which comes to us by way of Sweden, “Prepare the Way, O Zion”.

Benediction: For the four weeks of Advent, we sing a more contemplative text (vs. the more traditional entreaty/invitation) focused on individual preparation, the first verse of  “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”