A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God..."
- Isaiah 40:3

Every family has their own traditions to prepare for Christmas. One important part at our house is the placement of two mangers under the tree.

Both are special because each was made with love. The oldest is a manger my Dad made when my sister and I were little. It's made of bamboo and to me, is very rustic looking and has the feel of what it might have been like at Jesus' birth. I don't remember a Christmas without it. The other one was constructed by one of my nephews when he was five or six years old. His is a single piece of wood unto which are glued clothespin Mary, Joseph, Jesus and one wise man that are adorned in garments made of my Mom's remnant fabrics. There is even lace that represents snow on the ground. Although both are slightly worn, they hold a special place in my family's Christmas celebration, and it wouldn't be the same without them.

They remind me to see through the eyes of a little child, the warmth of parents' love and that God is always with me wherever I go.

-- Cathy Kramer

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.|
- Matthew 24:44

Advent is the time of year when watchfulness and preparedness are common themes. We count down the days to Christmas, which stands in for that actual blessed date, lost to history, on which Mary gave birth to Jesus, the only Son of God. Many of us heed the old hymn and "trim the hearth and set the table" in preparation for this day. Even if we don't feel the spirit of Christmas, we can certainly look the part. I don't mean to rehash the tired argument as to whether or not the gaudy secular consumerism of our modern Christmas has dimmed the glory of that moment when angels appeared all around a group of simple shepherds to announce the birth of our Lord and Savior. It has, unquestionably. But that sad fact does not relieve us of our duty to keep the angelic moment alive in our hearts as the beginning of a story that ends in a sacrifice so great as to be the salvation of all humankind.

Being watchful and prepared during Advent is hard enough. We wait humbly and expectantly for the spirit of that moment in Judea to enter into our hearts, even as we search for the perfect present for what's his name, our third cousin-twice removed on our stepgrandfather's side, or endure the deluge of television ads linking Jesus' birth to no money down, no interest for six months. But after Advent? What does this passage mean for us after Christmas? I believe that this is one of the passages in the Gospels that, perhaps unintentionally, captures the very essence of what it means to be a Christian. I know that the immediate context of this passage is the Second Coming. In Matthew 24:44, it comes at the end of a very explicit discussion of the Rapture. In Luke 12:40, the reference is more oblique; indeed, the direct references to the Second Coming are in Chapter 21. Regardless, I feel that these passages have even greater significance outside their immediate context.

By being truly watchful for the coming of the Son of Man, we look for-and can see-evidence of God's blessings in myriad places. We see His influence more plainly than we ever thought possible. For me, that becomes plain every time my seven-month-old son smiles. My wife had a difficult pregnancy and birth, yet she and Andrew are now quite well. Somewhat unconsciously, I became watchful for the presence of God after that difficult event and no matter whether one believes that His presence is overt or, like Anglican Bishop/Cambridge University physicist John Polkinghorne, one believes that He works at an unseen molecular or atomic level, He is present in our lives.

Any doubt that I had on that subject vanished on that day last March when I brought my wife and son home from the hospital. In Luke 12:39, Jesus points out that had the owner of the house known the hour that the thief was coming, his house would not have been broken into. My favorite variation on that is in the Bluegrass sacred song "I Saw The Light", where Jesus is said to come into one's life unexpectedly, "like an angel in the night". On that March night, I finally understood in my soul what that meant.

Being watchful and prepared for the arrival of Jesus in your life means more than counting your blessings, though, even if you are a relative latecomer to the practice. We are justified by our faith alone, but for many faith is more than a state of mind. For us, the practice of our faith requires us to attempt to follow the teachings of Jesus. We must be watchful for the opportunities that arise to bring these teachings to life. And, here's the hard part, we should actually take those opportunities, even though the piety and charity that the Gospels prescribe are completely antithetical to the expectations and practices of modern society. Sometimes it's just easier to parse the parable rather than read the explicit lesson Jesus draws out of it. We're not supposed to worry about what we are going to eat or wear, as Jesus says in Luke 12:22-31? How does that work in the age of Wine Spectator and Baby Gap, Gap Kids, Just Plain Gap, and Old Folks Gap?

This is the challenge posed by the command to "be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." It is one that I am rarely equal to. I often feel if I were to be truly watchful and prepared, I could easily find myself buried in opportunities for Christian action, and overwhelmed by my own shortcomings. Still, now that I have received the blessings, and recognized them as such, this passage tells me that I should be ready and willing to create some, too. During Advent, we count the blessings of family, friends and faith. After Advent, we can go out and look for the opportunities that God gives us to bring those blessings to others.

--Evan Reid

"He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." |
- Isaiah: 2-4

Every year around Christmas, the words of the Lord's Prayer take on a new significance to me. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This familiar recitation sometimes gets lost in the routine of the service, but my ears always perk up for this line. For me it holds one of the guiding principles of my life, and helps me to find direction in the world.

The words of Isaiah are also familiar ones: "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." We all can identify with the longing for peace both in the world and within ourselves. This is all too apparent with the war we are fighting today, and it seems as though the other side does not share our aversion to war. They seem to relish the chance to kill our sons, daughters, friends and neighbors.

But when I read this scripture, this interpretation doesn't satisfy me. Reading it only as God talking of His day confirms my trust in Him and his plan for the world, yes, but it does not pull me to Him. However, as I re-read the Isaiah passage while looking for the kingdom of God, I see a whole new, and much more meaningful, aspect of the passage. I see a call to action and introspection from the living God. For me to seek the Lord's kingdom come, I must give up my swords to be beaten into plowshares, and my spears into pruning hooks. It is hard to say, but I know that I am guilty of swinging the sword of prejudice and thrusting the spear of injustice. In the Lord's Prayer, God calls all of us to a new day -- when we see the prejudice in our actions and instead of injuring someone else, we build each other up; instead of stomping on other's dreams, we sow them with love and watch them grow.

Being a college student, the end of the semester is especially a time when I feel the call to become self-centered and ignore the needs of those around me. I get so caught up in my own stresses of finals and preparing to go home, I forget about how I can serve others, and only focus on myself. But every Sunday when I recite the Lord's Prayer and ask for His will to be done on earth, I am reminded of the promises God has made to me through the birth of His only son. I am again called to remember the love that He made human on Christmas and how we are all called to bring His revolutionary love to life; to do His will on earth.

--Dan Tilden

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
- Isaiah 11:1-3a

Isaiah uses the image of a tree to describe both God's anger at the Jewish people and his promise of redemption. He is angry because His people have rebelled against Him and forgotten His laws. The Assyrians, Isaiah warns, will be the instrument of God's wrath. They will conquer and destroy, laying waste the land until there are only briars, thorns and the stumps of trees. But in the stump of a tree there is still life and hope. From a "stump of Jesse" will come a new kind of king on whom "the spirit of the Lord" will rest. He will usher in an era of peace so great that the "wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat." Jesus is this king, whose birth we celebrate now at Christmas time.

Our yard in Chesterfield is home to many trees and over the past 20 years, John and I have taken a few of them out. Our deck was built around the trunk of a beautiful tree. As it grew, we had to cut the hole it occupied in the deck larger and larger. After many years, we reluctantly decided to cut this tree down, but left the stump. I set a large pot of geraniums on it and thought, "Well, that's that." But, it wasn't. The roots of the tree continued to grow and began to lift up the floor of the deck. Branches with green leaves sprouted cheerfully and grew around my geraniums. I learned that there is still much life in the stump of a tree.

Christ's birth brings us the promise of new life. No matter how dark or barren our own situation may appear, there is forgiveness and healing and hope in Jesus. We still await that time of peace that Isaiah describes, but with faith in Him and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we struggle to make His kingdom a reality.

--Corie Merker

He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
- Isaiah 40:11

I come from a long line of worriers. This family trait became more pronounced when I had my two children. My mental list of things that could happen to their physical well-being was endless. My worry intensified when I became a single parent ten years ago. Protecting my young (ages 7 and 2) children from disappointment, sorrow, feelings of abandonment, trying to be both mother and father - sent me to a whole new orbit of anxiety over their emotional well-being. I managed what I could, and obsessed over things out of my control, feeling alone and somewhat hopeless. Looking back, I think besides having a worry gene, I was experiencing a lack of faith - in myself, in those around me, in the greater good of the world.

After many years of experiences, advice, thoughtful reflection, and then a re-commitment to attendance at Trinity in a search for greater meaning and spirituality, I have begun to put together a litany of phrases that I chant to myself when I am feeling overwhelmed and need soothing. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Everything happens for a reason, even if it's not understood at the time. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

When reading the above scripture, I can picture God as The #1 Shepherd, doing all within his power to lead the gigantic flock of the world. Because he can't be everywhere at once, my belief is that he has deputized others to help him lead, and keep smaller groups of the larger flock together. Each member of our congregation has the potential to be a shepherd - to go out into the world and be loving, offer inspiration, feed encouragement, gently gather other members to our flock, or just be a quiet, comforting presence to someone in need.

This scripture speaks to me because, as a mother sheep who does not have all the answers, often times I do need to be gently led. At times my lambs and even I have needed to be carried by the shepherds around us, so I am grateful to belong to several flocks - Trinity, my circle of friends, my immediate and extended family. I am now at a point in my life where it is clear to me that I am not alone, and that when I need help, others are there for me through the grace of God.

What a perfect time of year - the birth of Jesus Christ, lamb of God - to be reminded of what we all have in common as members of the flock of the world - the chance to be reborn in belief that no matter where we fall on the faith scale, God's shepherding - His peace and love - is there for all of us. Realizing this, I have been released from most of my worry. I have added to my litany - We are not alone! God will feed us! God will carry us! God will lead us! Let go and let God! - Amen

--Linda Min

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
- Jeremiah 33:14

After reading this passage several times, one word continually stuck out to me; promise. This time of year is full of promises. This time of year is when we celebrate the Lord fulfilling His promise of sending us Jesus, it is the time of new beginnings, and of course it is the time of gifts. One gift is more prominent in my memory than others.

I have two older siblings and like most youngest siblings I would inform my brother and sister of what they needed to give me for the holidays. One year when I was around seven or eight I was particularly bad about vocalizing my wish list. My brother is ten years old than me and he decided that he was going to teach my sister and I about the evils of materialism. My sister and I had spent quite a bit of time that year under the tree trying to figure out what we were getting for Christmas, but no matter how much time we spent examining our presents we couldn't figure out what our brother had purchased for us. Christmas morning came and I opened the gift from my brother and disappointedly opened a packaged containing a plastic baggie with peanuts in the shell. I started to cry and then my brother gave me the "real" present which was a new My Little Pony. Now as I look back at that Christmas, I know the "real" present was the peanuts.

--Rhonda Dunbar

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
- James 5:7-8

Some New Testament scholars date these verses from the Letter of James to around 50 AD. That makes this scripture one of the oldest surviving Christian writings.

The author introduces himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." This James is not thought to be either of the two Apostles named James, but certainly he was one of the early Church's authoritative commentators, possibly James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem. James instructs the earliest Christians on their code of behavior in various aspects. Here he urges patience . . . patience "until the coming of the Lord."

In this Advent season we are approaching the celebration of Jesus' birth. The four Sundays of Advent lead us to Christmas, with all its joyous trappings, and family centered involvement. But doesn't the anxiety of planning our seasonal events with family and friends often overtake us? I know it does for me. As the day approaches with the anticipation of gift giving and family visits, I often arrive at Christmas Eve with more exhaustion than patience. Energetic kids, of course, ever find it difficult to heed calls for patience on Christmas Eve.

Let us hear again James's words from the First Century, "...be patient...strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord..."

A living Christian poet, Ted Loder, gives us this prayer-poem:

Inescapable God:
Deepen us in patience
and stretch our capacity to laugh
when we take ourselves more seriously
than we take you.

May we relax with patience, and laugh with joy on our journey to Bethlehem.

--Bob Wagner

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
- I Peter 2:9-10

Please forgive me, but my first thought when I read the scripture I had been given for this year's Advent reflections was, "Yuck." This, I thought, is the sort of scripture that gets twisted and warped to keep some people in power and others out. Negative connotations that I associated with the phrase, "the chosen race," came to mind. Groups like the Nazis of the Third Reich or factions in the Middle East who have been fighting over God-given rights to the same lands for thousands of years; I also thought of white, upper-middle-class American arrogance and even ultra-conservative, "born-again" Christian political groups who seem to send the message that their ideas of God are the only "right" ideas and therefore, they will be given the keys to the kingdom exclusively.

I don't really believe in coincidences in God's universe, so I knew there must be meaning for me in this scripture beyond my initial repugnance. I backed up a bit in the scripture to gain an idea of the context. In doing so, I discovered that the people Paul addresses this letter to aren't my idea of a "chosen race" at all. Instead, they were early Christians who were being persecuted and punished for worshipping Christ and for teaching the gospel. They were a beaten, oppressed people who were sharing this gospel despite danger and injustice because it had transformed, and even saved their lives.

At the beginning of Paul's letter he says, 'You have found out for yourselves how kind the Lord is." Or, in another translation, "You have tasted that the Lord is good."

I can see beyond my prejudice of the first phrase and understand that 1 Peter 2: 9-10 holds much meaning for me and, in fact, is very near to my heart. I believe that I have "tasted that the Lord is good." God has healed me from pain that I once found unbearable. Each day that I am open to it, God grants me an ability to flow through life gracefully and gratefully. The certainty of God's presence, love and care, which is a direct result of this healing and IS my faith, has made ME a chosen person-and therefore, part of the "chosen race" of all of the struggling, failing human beings that God has saved by His amazing grace. Being brought from "darkness into God's own marvelous light" I am both called and compelled to share the great news of God's love and power, to "proclaim the wonderful acts of God." I am compelled to do this not out of an arrogant confidence in my own power or superiority, but because I know firsthand of God's transforming love.

My own failures and defeat open a door through which God's amazing power can enter. As a vessel of God's love and power, I am God's and know God's mercy. In this time of advent, my best preparations are to show to everyone I meet the same love and mercy that has been shown to me.

--Vicki Carmichael

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Lo, here it is!' or "There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
-Luke 17: 20-21

We should all be inspired by the anticipation of this time of year and not necessarily by the acts or events we may participate in related to Advent activities. While we attend to activities and events for the season, it is the spirit we derive which means so much. That's the true Advent from my perspective.

During Advent, we anticipate God's arrival in spiritual ways most specifically focused on a certain date on the calendar. Our efforts, including such things as Advent bags, Hanging of the Greens, these writings, etc. become the obvious signs to us of God's coming. Yet, our own personal "Advent Spirit" or movements are generally private and specific to each of us. So, these times we know may not neatly coincide with a calendar of events...and that's okay.

This passage from Luke suggests that our daily lives should include a continual preparedness and anticipation of God's coming-not so much geared toward a certain date on the church calendar but as God comes to us in our own personal ways and moments.

For me God comes in many ways, some times several times a day. I often reflect on the people I encounter and our interactions to identify God's touch or influence at the time. Many times this involves strangers who display small kindness to me and my family. I try to take this energy forward and share with others along the way. This Advent spirit continues throughout the year by honoring the words above that the "coming" will not be observed and obvious but is always "in the midst of us."

--Mike Krivonak

The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid. Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them. - Isaiah 11:6 (The Message)

When I think of this passage, I remember one of my favorite childhood Disney cartoons, "Lambert the Sheepish Lion." In the cartoon, the stork delivers a sack of lambs to the sheep pasture but discovers he is one lamb short. Instead of a little lamb for the last mother, out of the sack pops a lion cub, who just happens to be named Lambert. Whoops! When the stork realizes the mistake and tries to take Lambert back, his mother head-butts the stork!

The mother sheep had already begun to love her son, even though he didn't exactly "fit in." As Lambert grew, he tried very hard to be meek like the sheep. He ate grass with them, played their games, and tried to "BAAA" like they did. Though the other sheep were always mocking Lambert, he lived peacefully among them.

One day, Lambert was suddenly called upon to do something none of the others could-protect the flock from a hungry wolf. When the wolf threatened his friends and family, Lambert remembered he was a lion, but didn't forget that he was a sheep. He head-butted the wolf and drove him away with a load "ROAR!" From that day forward, the lambs would always be safe from the wolf.

This is kind of how I imagine Isaiah's prophecy of a day when one would come to unite all the nations. Regardless of instincts and differences that usually cause conflict, all of creation would live together in peace.

In the cartoon, Lambert's mother loved her "son" fiercely and brought him to live with her despite his awkward appearance, despite his having the wrong color and style of fur, despite his unusual "accent," and even despite his belonging to an "enemy" species. Similarly, when Jesus was a defenseless baby, he was accepted and protected by his parents, even though he was very different and also not fully biologically theirs. How many of us can say that we eat with, embrace, and love the lions, lambs, and wolves in our own lives and in the world?

Jesus sought to live in peace with his friends and enemies alike, despite what convention or instinct dictated. During Advent, when we celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus, we should also celebrate what his life represents-a time when even God ate, slept, and lived as a human-to bring peace to our world.

--Carissa Gigliotti

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus."|
- Luke 1:28-31

The story of Gabriel appearing to Mary is such a brief encounter, yet teaches us so many things.

We witness Mary's trust in God. She is open to and accepting of what God has in store for her. Mary trusted that God would prepare her and give her what she would need to raise the Son of God. Mary shows us how to trust in God, to be humble and to accept what comes without understanding why or how. That is what I believe faith is, the willingness to surrender our lives into God's hands, being able to let go of what we think is possible and trusting God to make "all things possible."

Mary reminds us of what God can do. I feel challenged by Mary's willingness to trust God without understanding all that God has planned for her. She could have been fearful, but instead she showed great faith in responding to Gabriel's message. She accepted this as a gift, an opportunity to serve God.

We also witness God's trust in Mary. As Mary did, we may wonder, "why have you chosen me?" During my prayers, I sometimes find myself asking, "Why am I so blessed? Why have I been entrusted with these precious children, wonderful family, safe home?" What a gift God has given us as parents. And what an opportunity we are given to pass hope, faith, love, and kindness on to our children.

The angel says "Don't be afraid." I often am nervous, and maybe a little afraid, when presented with a new challenge or situation. Imagine an angel appearing in front of us with news that completely changes how we saw our lives ahead of us. I know my first reaction might be to think of all the reasons I can't accept the opportunity. But the angel reminds us to be open to these new challenges and opportunities with the words, "Don't be afraid." Mary reminds us to have faith in God.

The story of Mary's visit from Gabriel shows us how God loves us and cares for us and how God uses us in surprising and unexpected ways.

--Christy Schindler

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor, David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
- Luke 1:28-31

What a great sense of anticipation the people of God must have been experiencing. A leader who would be more glorious than any before Him, but one who would also be everlasting; even as earthly kingdoms and empires collapsed over time.

In today's civilization we can find peace when we take time to reflect in the power of this promise, especially during Advent - a time of preparation, waiting, and hope. There are often times that we may question our faith as a result of demoralizing events that occur in our world, but we can take solace in God's covenant. We can also take action within our smaller communities by making them a better place in which we attempt to reflect the kingdom with no end.

--Tim & Nancy Barklage

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
- Luke 1:41-44

It's Elizabeth's question that strikes me. Humbled and awestruck, she asks, "Why has this happened to me?"-why do I have the honor of being drawn into this miraculous story? She is amazed that she is a direct participant in the unfolding of God's plan. This is God's reminder to us: we are ALL participants in the greatest story ever told and should share the wonder that Elizabeth expresses. This is not happening to the few-it is a story involving all of us. This is not a story from long, long ago; but is drawing us in even now.

And isn't this the case for most of us? We are surprised and amazed when we ourselves have moments of being filled with the Holy Spirit; moments of experiencing the presence of God. Elizabeth and the baby in her womb respond joyously and with anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promise. Can we be like them and recognize Christ's presence in our lives?

We should leap for joy, too, because, as both Mary and Elizabeth know, all things are possible with God. God's will overrides that which seems "logical" or "natural"...and miracles occur. My prayer for all of us is that, this Advent, we can celebrate our central role in God's plan, slow down enough to recognize the Holy Spirit working within us, and make way for miracles to happen.

--Liz Nelson

And Mary said,
"My soul exalts the Lord
And my heart exults before God my Savior,
For [God] has disregarded my humble origin,
And from now on the ages will honor me.
Great things the Almighty did for me,
And Holy be [God's] name."
Luke, 1:46-49, Cotton Patch Version

I used to be jealous of Mary. She was, after all, chosen to birth God.

My jealousy didn't rise from Mary being chosen to birth deity. I have never had a desire or a calling to do that. My jealousy grew from the very fact that Mary could give birth.

Mary was quite young when she was blessed with conception. Even by her own culture's customs, everything pointed to the obvious--she wasn't ready to become a mother. So much for common sensibilities.

I waited. I followed my culture's rules for motherhood readiness. I obeyed the recommended, though seemingly unnatural, admonition to achieve educational goals, career status, and financial independence before marrying or motherhood. I checked all society's boxes. At 25 years old, I married. At 26 years of age, I, with purpose and gusto, pursued motherhood.

Nothing happened. So much for common sensibilities.

Only after five years of confusion, costly and uncomfortable fertility treatments, frequent crying spells, and feeling totally broken, did I begin to think deeper about the mysterious gift of creative conception, miraculous birth, and the moral marathon of nurturing a human soul. I taught parenting classes; yet, I began to feel like Prissy in Gone with the Wind: "I don't know nothin' about birthin' no babies!"

I began to relinquish my culturally ingrained need to be named Mother. Instead, I began to think of God as Mother continuously conceiving, birthing, and nurturing all creation. I stopped trying to control life. Instead, I purposed to live each day, each occasion, each interaction, each moment as a part of a sacred conceiving, birthing, and nurturing never-ending ritual. Once I realized how fertile I really was, I began to conceive, birth, and nurture life and lives all around me.

--Tina Newberry

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples.
- Luke 2: 30-31

This may sound a bit odd, but when I read these two verses, the image that appears in my head is that of a Teppanyaki restaurant: In the center of a dark and cozy room, the master chef prepares an array of delicacies on a large iron griddle, as diners swarm around to watch their meats and vegetables simmer and cook. The space is warmed by the heat of the grill, and above the low conversion you can hear the hear the hissing and sizzling of the food, and savor the enticing aromas that waft lazily above. The scene is small and dizzy, but full of warmth and sound, of closeness and inclusion - here, all are invited to crowd around the table and eat together.

This fictional image is not altogether unlike my parents' house on Christmas Eve. Between the early and late services, my parents host a huge dinner party - one that my mother always swears will be smaller next year, but one that only gets larger. Every year the table groans under enormous piles of - what else? - carry-out Chinese; though not particularly seasonal, it never seems to matter (and besides, there are plenty of Christmas cookies to make up for it). With children running underfoot and packed hallways to navigate, people carrying trays loaded with steaming food search for places to sit and eat, to talk and laugh, and wish each other a very Merry Christmas on the eve of our Savior's birth.

I realize those images have little to do with the verses above; Chinese food is not salvation, and though I do not know how salvation is "prepared," I assume one doesn't use a griddle. Rather, what my memories of Christmas Eve do illustrate is that our God - as reflected in those that surround us - is a wonderful God; that God is warm and comforting and inclusive; and that when we celebrate God, God celebrates with us. I cannot claim that I have seen salvation, so I cannot speak to it; however, I know that our God is preparing it, and that, as in all things, God will prepare it well.

--Chris Lutz

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
- Luke 2:4-6

These verses, and the one that follows, are the only ones in Luke to describe the actual birth of Jesus. I've found that when you ask parents-especially fathers-about the birth of their child, they can usually recount what went according to plan and what was totally unexpected. I'm sure if we had the chance to ask Joseph, he might have a lot to say about poor Mary-going on a road trip nine months pregnant, toughing it out for the sake of the family name, and giving birth in a foreign environment.

Having recently given birth myself, I have renewed respect for our female ancestors whose childbearing experiences were so different from ours today. Two days after the big storm this summer, while the temperature crept past one hundred outside and towards ninety inside, I thought about my two grandmothers who both had babies in St. Louis in August in the 1940s. I imagined being pregnant without air conditioning, giving birth in a hospital without air conditioning, and returning home with a newborn...without air conditioning. Then I tried to imagine what it was like for their mothers and their grandmothers. And now I consider Mary. Surely she was terribly uncomfortable, even if Luke fails to mention it. Was she anxious? Frightened? Was there anyone to help her-aunts or distant cousins of Joseph?

Despite all of the differences between the circumstances of childbirth now and those of two thousand years ago, the universality of the experience lets us know a great deal about Mary. The same basic maternal desires are felt by mothers around the world and through time, whether they are mothers living with AIDS or in refugee camps, mothers who are widows or homeless in war-torn countries, or mothers who live in poverty in a nation of wealth. We pray for the health of our babies. We hope to raise them in safe, happy homes. We try to give them every opportunity so that they may fulfill their potential as good and righteous people. We can be certain that Mary did the same.

--Holly Tasker

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
- Luke 2:9-11 --Luke 2: 30-31

While the angel was delivering the good news of the birth of Jesus, can we even imagine the joy and fulfillment God was experiencing as he gave to all people the gift of His son, our Savior and Lord?

As a child with parents and four siblings, growing up during the decade following the great depression, I was surrounded with love, care and laughter. We were provided the necessities of life, but money was budgeted carefully, and there was little left for the extra things most of us take for granted today. Holidays, especially Christmas, were celebrated with great anticipation and joy. My sister, three brothers and I would save our pennies, nickels and dimes so we could shop at the dime store for Christmas gifts for our parents and for each other. Or sometimes we made homemade gifts. There was much excitement and secrecy as we made our selections and wrapped our gifts. On Christmas morning we each received one toy or game and one item of new clothing from Santa which were received with excitement and cheers. But the real excitement and joy that lit up our faces was the validation that we had selected just the right gift when the receiver of our gift would say something like, "Just what I wanted" or "This is perfect."

At this beautiful season of cheerful giving let us remember to be gracious receivers of the gifts of others just as we are thankful and gracious as we receive God's greatest gift of all, his son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

--Kitty Underwood

...And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us.
- Matthew 1:23b

Not a day goes by without some new report of violence in our world. Everyday we are confronted with the images of countries decimated by war. What was once someone's home is now a pile of rubble. Car bombs and suicide bombs leave families bereft of their loved ones. It distresses me greatly and brings to my mind the words of a carol "long lay the world in sin and error pining." How aptly it describes our world! And yet, we can not despair because that is not the end of the song or the end of our story. "Long lay the world in sin and error pining...till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."

When the earth and my soul pine for peace I remember this song and I remember that we are not alone. God came into our world living as one of us, freely giving us love, confirming our worth and inviting us to extend that love to others so that one day all might know peace and truly experience Emmanuel, God with us.

--Diane O'Brien

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. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
- Matthew 2:9-10

For many of us, the story of the wise men conjures up images of one of our most familiar and favorite Christmas scenes. I bet that just about every one of us has fond memories of setting up the crèche with the wise men, shepherds, camels, donkeys, Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. It wasn't until I was much older that I realized the wise men weren't kings, may not have been recognized as particularly wise, and may even have been other than three in number. What remains unchanged about the story is that the coming of Christ into the world was a profoundly life-changing event. The event was so momentous that is was marked by the appearance of a new and guiding light in the sky; so momentous that men from another place and culture traveled great distances for many months to see the person whose birth the light heralded; so momentous that is inspired great joy in all who recognized it. Beyond portraying this sense of wonder at the birth of Christ, this verse reminds us that Jesus came for ALL of us - foreigner/native, white/ black, Jew/ Gentile, male/ female, adult/ child, wealthy/ poor, and powerful/ weak. We are also shown that Jesus is not a king in any usual sense of the word - he is not to be found in a palace surrounded by riches, servants, soldiers, and the trappings of power. He is to be found among the least of us, leading by example to help us value peace, service, humility, compassion, love for ourselves, love for all of humanity, and love for our God. Finally the compelling image of the guiding star serves as a powerful reminder that God provides light for us even in the dead of winter, even in our darkest hour. We are reminded that all we need do is turn to the light for help with our problems and frailties; turn to the light so that we can live up to our God-given potential to be fully human.

--Lisa Bernhard

Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
- Matthew 2:11b

The wise men traveled for many years to bring baby Jesus gifts. They followed a star, for many years, just so that they could meet the baby king and offer him gifts. Along the way, they must have wondered sometime about this long journey, and if they were merely following a dream. Sometimes we too wonder, because like the wise men, all we have is a light to follow, and we must do this faithfully to reach our destination.

However, it is good to doubt, and to question also. It is by questioning beliefs that we can reaffirm our faith. Some interpret God's teachings as uncontestable, and grow scorn for those who do not take the bible as literally. I do not think that this is the reaction God wants. "Yours is a loving God" and "Slow to anger and quick to forgive" appear in our Bible. However, our God is also "a jealous God," and even Jesus has moments of human anger, such as when he curses the fig tree. I think that we must not shun these passages, but accept that there can be many sides to things. It is always best to listen with open ears and hearts, rather than to shut out, and we must remain ever faithful to our God.

--Ethan Pfeifer

So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
- Luke 11:9-13

I'm so happy that I was asked to reflect on this passage, it's one that grounds my faith.

So many times we expect answers and guidance from God, but we have no idea what it is we really want. We go through our daily routine without being truly aware or paying attention to all of the possibilities.

I feel that God is telling us here that we need to know ourselves and what we want, whether you're doubting your life's direction, or needing patience in traffic. It's only when we ask that God can help us in pursuing our authentic path.

Even when we think we have the answers, sometimes what's in store for us is completely different from what we were expecting. It's because of our faith that, in the end, the result is exactly what it should be, and we are who we should be at that time also.

--Cheryl Evans

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
- Luke 2: 13-14

Reflecting on these two verses from Luke which end the story of the announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds, raises a variety of images and memories of angels; things such as those times when I was perhaps five or six making snow angels in the front yard of my home in Colorado, the wealth of choral music and hymns that use the passage, the lullaby from Hansel and Gretel, and all the art that attempts to depict the idea of angels.

Reflecting further on the verses, I realize how far we have moved from this picture of angels as harbingers of good news from God. Modern media and culture seem to need to make these heavenly beings into people just like us who can be counted on to solve our problems and make us feel better. Now we can be touched by an angel, read of wars between angels and demons, or create our own representations of angels with materials purchased from craft stores. How much better it is that we look at them as beings who can let us know about such world-changing events as the birth of the Savior.

--Tom Cobb

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.
- Luke 2:15-16

What a hard task it is to keep a secret and information entrusted to us and to know when to keep still and when to share. What is even harder is to discern what is gossip and what is not. The secular and religious are so connected at this time of the year. We always think about children and the anticipation they experience that builds as the decorations go up, as the familiar stories are retold once more, as carols are played and sung everywhere and as gifts are placed under the tree.

This brings to mind my own childhood prying that occurred once September or October arrived and I knew my mother and father had begun shopping for that magical time of year I always looked forward to - Christmas. As the familiar ornaments are decorations were put out (and some these now hang on our tree), as I helped and watched my mother bake batch after batch of cookies, two kinds of fruitcakes, candies, pies and cakes, the anticipation and excitement grew with each passing day. I could not contain myself during more than one fall, as I would go on a treasure hunt through the house hoping to unveil a doll that had been bought for me, or whatever else I might uncover that was certain to be mine on Christmas Day. One year in particular, my curiosity got me into trouble. That year I found a gift and my mother obviously did no remember where she had hid everything, since it did not show up under the tree that year, but was given to me on my birthday a month later. I did not dare to let on that I had seen it several months before, or inquire what had happened. I learned early on to keep things in my heart and to keep secrets. (Thank heavens, I have learned through the years that it is more fun to be truly surprised on Christmas Day than to "fake" it).

How can we ever begin to imagine how Mary must have felt that night when the shepherds visited with Joseph and her and their newborn child after being told that their son was the Savior, Christ the Lord? We are told she kept these things in her heart, pondering them. What anxiety, excitement and trepidation she must have felt all at the same time. What could this possibly mean to their life and how would it be changed? And, so it is with us when knowledge is entrusted to us, may we learn to share with others what is good and pure and keep in our hearts what might hurt others.

O God, in this season of anticipation, excitement awe and wonder, help us to find time to reflect and to ponder the greatest gift we could ever receive and give us the grace to accept this gift. Help us to keep those musings to ourselves that might cause malice and share joyful news with others. Help us to be responsible stewards of information entrusted to us and to never be afraid of sharing the Good News. Amen.

--Ruth Cobb

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6

What marvelous words are held for this great son we are expecting. As attorney, pastor and playwright, words are an immensely important part of my life. These tiny collections of symbols - crooked lines crowded together on a page - carry enormous meaning. So much of life can be contained in such small packages.

When I think back to when I was a child, I remember spending hours on my mother's lap, begging for "just one more" book from that most spellbinding of wordsmiths, Dr. Seuss. It really didn't matter which book it was - Yertle the Turtle, Put me in the Zoo, Robert the Rose Horse, Hop on Pop - they were all magical. And I remember the pure joy of being able to read all by myself. Somehow my brain began to translate those strange symbols into words, and the words began to shape themselves into whole worlds.

At this point in my life, as I watch my grandchildren begin to read, and my children head off to college, I cannot even fathom what my life would be without words and the ability to use them. How horrible it must be to see nothing but circles and squiggles and lines and not be able to translate them into the beautiful poetry they represent. What a marvelous gift we have been given in the ability to read.

Now, as we await the gift of a small child, our anticipation grows. For we wait, not just for a child, but a Mighty God. We wait, not just for a son, but for an Everlasting Father. And this son will lead us, and he shall be wonderful - a counselor - a prince of peace. And the greatest gift of all, is that we know. We know this child, for we have read about him. We know this son on whose shoulders the government is placed. We know this Prince, God, Father and Counselor who brings peace.

Thanks be to God.

--Paul Devine

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
- Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 9:2

When I first read this passage I remembered a factoid from when I was in seventh grade: On a clear night, the light from the flame of a single candle on a mountain top can be seen for one mile. I have always assumed this to be true since a teacher said it in school.

The factoid and the passage remind me of when people are going through major changes in life such as marriage, additions to your family, giving extended care to sick loved ones, career transitions.... During these times it may seem like you are traveling through the night, unable to see where you are going, and unable to see where you have been. Some may think of the darkness as being like a storm, but I think that darkness is much more striking than a storm. Darkness itself is the absence of light. If a light bulb burns out, the darkness is sudden, without warning. A storm may intensify and let up, but darkness does not change. To someone going through a trying time in life, they may feel that darkness all around them through one set back after another.

In the passage, light is obviously a metaphor for God and your faith. Without faith a person may not have hope that the darkness will ever break. With faith in God, there will be a light, it may be small, such as a flickering flame on a candle, but the faith is there. When you find the light you may be far off, but there is no longer darkness. As you approach the light and see more details in your life and have feel more confident and secure as you move around in your life. Once you find the candle, you have found your faith and then you can take your faith and let it grow by tuning the candle into a fire and giving off a greater life.

--Brian Jeter