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

"In the wilderness..." Our wilderness had become the world of a hospital complex, medical terms, tubes and wires, witnessing unbelievable pain and the unknown of ovarian cancer with my mother-in-law Jeannine. There seemed to be no map to get us out this medical wilderness, no one spoke our language and it was getting darker and more confusing by the day. Jeannine was weak and barely able to speak lying in her hospital bed. My daughter Tessa has always been very close to her grandmother and I had taken her to see her before her soccer game. She had brought the book her school counselor had given her to help her cope with what was happening with her grandmother. Tessa climbed into the hospital bed - scooting tubes and wires out of the way so she could show Jeannine the pictures as she read the book Tear Soup. It was a rather long book - but Jeannine managed to fight her exhaustion to listen to Tessa. When finished reading, Tessa asked her grandmother how big her "soup pot" was - her pain, her loss, her grief...Jeannine responded, "Well, I don't really know...it is pretty big...but Tessa, Jesus is with me every minute and is holding my hand." I was astounded! While I was aware Jeannine believed in God, she had not attended church regularly in the 20 years I had known her and we had never discussed her beliefs. Though I was reassured this was a good answer for Tessa and Jeannine had a source of comfort, I was afraid - what did this mean? Was Jesus helping her through this or was he was preparing her for God?

"...prepare the way of the Lord." Within a week, Jeannine's condition deteriorated rapidly. Her pain was so immense she spoke few words except one word responses to a nurse or doctor's inquiries. It was clear her very brief battle with cancer was at its end and we needed to prepare ourselves and our children to say goodbye. The entire family surrounded her hospital bed - her husband, her two sons and their wives, four grandchildren and her sister. We were trying to be brave for the grandchildren and find words for the moment, tears streaming down all of our faces. Suddenly a beautiful smile broke out on Jeannine's face and her voice strongly said, "Let's all join hands and say the Lord's Prayer together! Our Father, who art in heaven..." And Jeannine led us through the prayer. She then looked each grandchild in the eyes, smiled and shared a special thought.

"...make straight in the desert a highway for our God..."

Jeannine became unresponsive shortly after that and passed away a few days later. Her passing has been a difficult journey to understand - yet I feel just as Isaiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem about preparing for God, Jeannine was speaking to us that Jesus was with her and she would soon be with God. Our family's loss is our "desert"; for others it may be financial stress of making ends meet, of putting food on the table, dealing with an illness, missing a loved one who may be away or fighting a war in another country. Join us as we focus on the birth of Jesus this Christmas season and celebrate the highway he made and maintains for each us through the "desert." Praise be to God!

-- Traci O'Bryan

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

My calendar has become my brain.

When you drive off without your Blackberry on the seat next to you, do you find yourself feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable? If you must search the house to locate your planner, do you experience the sudden dread that you are hopelessly lost?

I often wish we could be more like the birds. They know precisely when to build their nests and when to migrate elsewhere, all without the aid of a wristwatch or a Day-Timer.

Calendars exist to attempt to make life easier for us, to quantitatively chart our hours and days, and miraculously transform our often self-imposed chaos into some semblance of order. 'Time' is a mortal measurement. We find references to Before and After in Scripture, but these references are meant to aid our understanding. God does not require them. He exists in the Eternal Now.

Our calendars remind us that the season of Advent has returned. Once again we have the opportunity to prepare for His re-emergence. Yet having ample time to prepare for His arrival doesn't guarantee that we will actually be ready. Because we love Him and rely on Him, His dwelling place already exists in our hearts. What God requires of us is trust, the full and unwavering trust that He will indeed come again. Once that trust becomes a part of our being, as indelible as instinct, His arrival will not catch us off-guard.

You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.
- Brother Lawrence

--Elaine Pontious

"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

Several members of the 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday school class read, reread, and discussed this passage until they felt they had a glimpse into its meaning. Below is a poem crafted from their reflections and words and phrases that rang true for them.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

spears into pruning hooks
nation will not take up sword against nation

images of peace

is this ever going to happen?

that would be SOME happy world

we see

settling arguments with our friends
River Kids cleaning up local rivers
recycling

but we also see

war in Iraq
billions spent on the military
fighting with

no heart
no brain
no love

beat swords into plowshares
nor will they train for war anymore

images of peace

we want to stop, but our nation will drop

Why, why would he say "judged between nations" is right?
Why can't they do rock, paper, scissors?

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

When twenty-first century Christians read this passage, they see at once its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. That it is understandable; but we need to remember that Isaiah had in mind not some dim and distant figure, but a living king. With a hopefulness which repeated disillusionment failed to put out, the Jews hailed every new King as the Lord's anointed who would usher in a golden age. It was only when the last of the Davidic kings died in exile that faith in the divine character of the monarch was transferred to the Messiah, who, coming from God, would fulfill in his life and reign the ideal so long and heroically cherished.

The characteristics by which this Messiah would be recognized were wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, and knowledge and the fear of the Lord. As modern day Christians, we can readily understand the need for wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, and certainly knowledge, but how do we make sense of fearing the Lord? The Hebrew root means "flee from", which certainly indicates raw fear, and the Greek verb translates as "to be afraid." But in our understanding of the Messiah, the one who comes to save us, perhaps another translation is awe - that we stand in God's presence filled with a sense of awe that is closely related to obedience and even to love. This extreme awe that we feel for God motivates us to take our faith seriously, to serve God and obey God's commandments. The angel that appeared at the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, said, "Do not be afraid; for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all of the people."

Corrie Merker summed up this meaningful passage beautifully in her Advent reflection last year, "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."

--Curtis March

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

My first memory of these words was hearing them being sung by my mother as she kneaded the dough for our Christmas bread. (She always sang excerpts from The Messiah when she went about her kitchen chores.) She sang the words with such depth of feeling that I could picture every scene. The words combined with the sweetness of the melody and the tenderness of her voice gave me a real sense of security. Perhaps it is because I was raised on a farm that the idea of a gentle shepherd guiding his flock was, and continues to be, meaningful to me. To know we have a loving father who cares for us, listens to us, and loves us above all else is amazing. Now, during the Advent season, when we hear the strains of The Messiah played and sung at church, in concerts, on the radio, or being sung by someone preparing a Christmas bread, we will be reminded of our shepherd who guides us all the year through, whose love for us never ceases.

--Brian & Cricket Gordon

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

The key word from the prophetic verse is promise. The dictionary defines it as "an agreement to do or not do something." As Christians especially we think of it more positively as "to do," which reminds us of God's great, glorious promise to send Jesus the Savior to redeem us so we may live eternally with Him in glory. Soon we will be celebrating the 2007^th anniversary of that great kept promise, Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, God has kept other promises. One of these is His word to Abraham telling him to leave the very secure and comfortable life in Ur, an Iraqi city, for a distant land of plenty. Can you imagine any one of us packing all we have and moving to an unknown foreign country? Another great promise was made to Noah, who, despite severe ridicule and hard labor, built the ark to save the world at that age. Again, God kept His promise.

As a teenager, my church sponsored "Traveling Tent Revivals," which greatly lifted my love for Jesus. At one of these services, as I was returning from the altar, an elderly man glanced at me, saying, "young man, stick with the Lord. He will keep you steadfast." I remembered this brief encounter and minded it through many disappointments and a divided house in my youth. Now God continues to keep His word as I am in the late autumn season of my life.

It's such a delight to sing and hear our traditional carols during Christmas, but there is an underlying favorite of mine by R. Kelso Carter (1849-1920), entitled "Standing on the Promises":

Standing on the promises of my King,
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
Standing on the promises I can see,
Standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior!

Let's remember that there are many promises, but it is only God's word that is always kept.

--Gerry Royce

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

There are many things in life that require a great deal of patience - raising children, seeing a loved one through medical treatment, working on a degree part-time, staying with a job or a project that needs to be done but that may not be very rewarding. Even happy and exciting things take patience - teaching a child to ride a bike, training for a marathon, learning a new language. My husband and I met when I was a sophomore in college, but it took 10 years and many life experiences (both together and apart) for us to decide to marry. That's what I call patience!

I was raised on a dairy and beef farm in northeast Kansas, and learned much about patience from my father. As a farmer, he optimistically bought a new herd of calves in the spring and planted crops. He then worked and waited through the year, expecting the weather to cooperate, the diseases and afflictions to remain at bay, and prices to remain strong. If everything went well, we had a prosperous year and could end up with money in the bank. If things did not go well (a hail storm a week before harvest, weak market prices, an infection that hit the herd), we would have to borrow money to get started the following year. Through it all, my father learned to be patient and to take the long view. He was often amused by my "city" life and our need for immediate gratification, raises and promotions, and the latest "in" thing.

As we approach Advent this year, let us remember to be patient, to wait for our seeds to grow, to trust that the rain will come and that the storms will not hit hard this year. Let us remember to look for God in all of his/ her forms, and to know that grace appears in many ways.

--Lois Sechrist

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

What I love about this passage is that by God's mercy we have become God's own people. We all feel lost and alone at times. One of the wonderful things about belonging to a church is that it helps remind us that we are never truly alone. We are a part of God's people and can find brothers and sisters in Christ in unexpected places. When I went on my first mission trip, I was surprised to hear that the trip wasn't really about mission work. While we had a project to complete, the coordinators told us that completing the project wasn't really important. What was important was being in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Mexico. And they were right. While I'm sure that the members of Verdad y Fe appreciated the work that we did, what was important was that we were there and formed relationships with members of their congregation.

On my second mission trip, I was amazed to hear that some of the people from the Chicago churches that joined us in New Orleans had decided not to participate in the trip once they found out that we were only gutting houses, not building anything. While building houses is certainly more rewarding than gutting them, the work wasn't really what was important. The program we worked with was RHINO - Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans - and I think that the name says it all. I was amazed by the number of people that stopped us to tell how much they appreciated our being there. They weren't talking about the quality or quantity of our work. What mattered to them was that they hadn't been forgotten. That people cared enough to come to New Orleans and do what they could to help.

Gutting the houses was hard dirty, work and it could be discouraging to think that the house might end up getting razed anyway, even after our efforts. But even if none of the houses that we gutted were ever rebuilt, our efforts weren't in vain. We demonstrated that we are all God's people and that the people of New Orleans haven't been forgotten. I've had many times in my own life when I was scared or lonely when a friend and sometimes even a stranger has reminded me of God's loving kindness and that I am a part of God's own people. What amazing love God has for us to allow us to be part of such a large and loving family!

--Margy Brown

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

The Pharisees were always hassling Jesus about the coming of the kingdom of God, whether in judgment or in fulfillment of God's covenant with his people. Jesus says to them that the kingdom is not something to be seen or found, but to be discovered. "Behold, the kingdom of God is within you." He tells us that the power to spread the worship of God is inside us all. That seed has already been sown by the word; it's up to us to be examples of repentance and God's will on earth so that all may receive eternal life through the kingdom of God.

--Blair Klostermeier

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
- Isaiah 11:6

This scripture really speaks to me about all that I have been taught in life...no matter what color, gender, beliefs, or abilities, all are welcome and shall be included. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and lived there until I was 12, when we moved back to St. Louis. I was then enrolled in University City Schools and it was quite a culture shock. We lived in a fairly affluent neighborhood in Nashville, and there wasn't much cultural diversity. As a kid, I never knew the difference until beginning 6th Grade at Brittany Woods Middle School.

I became the minority in a population of many African American students. The only difference I found between myself and the other students was that I was the new kid and needed to find my way.

Growing up, I distinctly remember classmates with many differences; one with leukemia, one who needed assistance from a walker to get around school, and also one who had a tragic accident with a gun and eventually died. I still remember all of their names and faces, like it was yesterday. I remember raising money for Tim's family when he was in the ICU, helping Annie through the cafeteria, and naming my very bald Cabbage Patch doll after Eddie. All are welcome...no worries of differences.

Children are born innocent. They do not choose to be born with HIV or cerebral palsy, or to be white or black, to be Arab or Jewish, to be gay or straight, to be homeless or live in a mansion. I look at the world today and wish we all could go back to the beginning...where nothing mattered but being loved, nourished, and clothed. The little child to lead them, as the scripture reads, can be all of us. We all have the ability to be the little child...we can all choose how we lead. This Christmas season, celebrate the differences in all of us, because that is what gives us all such a good story to tell.

--Becca Courtney

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

In Luke 1:28-31, the Lord's message to Mary comes out of the blue, saying "Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you. You will bear a child and name him Jesus."

Who was this Jesus? Jesus means Savior, but he was given another names, Emanuel, which means "God with Us." Two names, two different tasks; one who will save us and one who will be with us always. What a promise! Mary was to provide us with an earthly companion who would lead us to everlasting life.

How could she possibly comprehend the gift she was to bring into the world? Scripture tells of her awe, confusion and fright as she receives the news of her selection by God to bear His son. What great faith she showed in her willingness to accept this blessing! What great happiness we all receive through Mary's provision of a pathway to Heaven in her son's sacrifice on the cross.

--Art Platt

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

".... He will be great... and of His kingdom there will be no end."

These were the words the angel spoke to Mary after he told her that she was going to have a baby. Now, giving birth to a baby who doesn't have a biological father might be material for the legend-makers, but it doesn't guarantee that the kid will be great. Our history books detail the rise and fall of many kingdoms, but none of them were, or are anticipated to be, endless.

What was Mary thinking as she heard the angel's words? Could she understand what he was predicting? How does one prepare to raise a child to greatness? What could she give to him? Money? Did she have any? A big house? She lived in molded sand. Clothes? She wore rags. What could she give? All she had was her self, her faith and her fiance, Joseph.

What was it about Jesus that made him great? Compassion? Faithfulness? Perfection? Love? And is it these attributes that sustain a kingdom without end? Maybe it is impossible for us to answer these questions because we are human. But when we think about our own lives and wonder about how the world will be impacted by our existence, we can consider the examples of Jesus and his mother, Mary.

--Noah Jones

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

When I read this passage I thought of the birth of my first child, Anna. My pregnancy had been easy; I felt great and all indications were that my baby did, too. My due date was for the beginning of February. But I wouldn't have to wait that long. Anna decided she was ready to greet the world a little early on January 10.

If you've lived through a winter here you know that St. Louis can be really cold in January. The day Anna was born it was frigidly cold with two feet of snow and ice. Jeff and I sat in the hospital room full of warmth and joy, holding our first born child. I'll never forget the ride home from the hospital with Anna bundled in about five blankets and Jeff trying to avoid the ice all over the roads. We arrived at our house, every inch of it shoveled and de-iced, with radiators humming and all the baby supplies we would need for months. Anna and I hibernated and loved it. Her due date was wrong-she arrived at the right time!

How Elizabeth must have felt with her baby leaping for joy in her womb at the sound of Mary's voice. And how Mary must have felt when her baby, the son of God, quickened in her womb. I think we all feel the Holy Spirit at different times in the nine months (or less) of pregnancy, just as we do in those first few weeks of our baby's lives. I've felt that overwhelming sense of God's presence with all my babies, but remember it maybe most clearly with my first who surprised us with her perfectly timed arrival.

--Christy Thompson

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, and he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name."
- Luke 1: 46-49

The Magnificat, Mary's song of praise and thanksgiving in response to learning she was bearing the son of God, has resonated deeply with me since I learned to sing it myself. I probably sang the words of Mary's song unknowingly many times in church. However, her words of simple yet heartfelt praise did not really touch me until I sang them at Holden Village as part of the Holden Evening Prayer service. Holden Village is a Lutheran community nestled in the alpine setting of the Upper Cascade Mountains of Washington State. It is a place to which I return whenever possible for a renewal of my spirit and a reconnection with my call to communal life.

At Holden, the entire community of about 400 people gathers each evening for a short service of worship. On Saturdays, we sing together the simple but beautiful language and melodies of the "Holden Evening Prayer" by Marty Haugen. As our leaders sing the story of the angel telling Mary that she will "bear a child, ... the chosen one of God Most High," we the congregation ready our hearts for the moment when we stand in unison and sing as Mary did, "My soul proclaims your greatness, O God, and my spirit rejoices in you. You have looked with love on your servant here and blessed me all my life through." Singing these words with so many people, as well as many times in my car, has made Mary's prayer my prayer. It is not a prayer that I would have discovered naturally on my own, for I do not believe that I would have the strength to praise God after learning of such shocking and life-altering news. However, I have learned from Mary that our God (for we worship the same God!) does indeed "lift up the lowly of heart" and that this is worth praise, even when my heart does not feel like praising. When I choose to praise God regardless of how I feel, the praise becomes part of my flesh, part of my bones. Then, even if I do feel it at the moment, I can honestly join Mary in saying, "I am the servant of my God. I live to do your will."

--Stacy Shupe

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

Can you imagine having someone walk up to you just after the baptism of your child or a friend of your child and say that s/he will be the salvation of the world that everyone has been talking about to centuries? That is what is happening in this passage from Luke. In today's world we just need the facts, but Simeon as an old and respected oracle in the temple at Jerusalem had been waiting for this moment as the culmination of a promise from God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. How many of us would have the faith and the willingness to act on it in the way that Simeon did? How many times have we passed hope along to others in their time of need no matter how big or small the issue? How many times have we had the courage to act on belief and hope? Life is more about the questions than the answers. Let us in this advent season ponder the hope we individually and collectively can have for the whole world.

--Jim Person

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

At that crucial time in his life with Mary and the child soon to be born, Joseph returned to Judea, his family home, to be counted. Mary undertook this arduous journey knowing she would soon give birth.

In that same spirit we return to our family and friends. One of my earliest memories is of piling into the backseat of the family car and driving some 40 miles to my grandparents' home in Indiana. Later when we had children of our own, the family came to us. One memorable Christmas we flew to Florida to have Christmas with my parents, my sister and her sons, and my brother and his family. And always there were phone calls to those who couldn't be with us. Sometimes it was an actual trip across town or across several states. Sometimes it was simply remembering past journeys to share precious time with family members and dear friends. We connect with the past and examine the present. We wonder at the miracle.

It is always with eager anticipation that we make this journey. We fervently pray for Peace on Earth and Good Will to all Men and Women.

--Rose Ann Bodman

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

Happy Season of Advent to you! This passage from Luke, as recited by Linus to all of his Peanuts friends who have lost their focus in The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, and the singing of "Silent Night" by candlelight at the end of the Christmas Eve service, are the two most poignant moments of the Christmas season for me. During each of these two powerful Christmas events I am beaming inside, but outwardly, my eyes have welled with tears and I am rendered speechless. Other than the joy of being with my extended family for several extra days, these are the two events of Christmas that "feed" me the most.

In The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, I patiently wade through all of the parts I'm not so fond of: Lucy's bullying, Sally's vanity, Charlie Brown's prideful geekiness and of course, Snoopy's inexplicable Red Baron routine. My perseverance is rewarded with Linus' powerful thirty second reality check and I listen in awe at the power of Linus' recitation: his recognition that this was the message that everyone needed to hear, the courage to stand up to all the egos and chaos, the clarity and sincerity with which he delivers this important message, and the ensuing silence. I don't usually hang around to watch the end of the special, because the message that I crave, the message that moves me, has been delivered and received in the same way that it made its initial profound impression on me many years ago, and I walk away "fed."

The other breath-taking holiday moment for me is the end of the Christmas Eve service, when all the church is dark except for candlelight, and everyone is singing "Silent Night." I am never able to sing; I am able only to listen to the preciousness of the voices and the beauty of the words, while holding my candle and hoping that my kids won't accidentally light each other or someone nearby on fire! It is during those few minutes of song that I am able to be truly grateful for what I have, who I am and the internal peacefulness I feel. A rush of images and thoughts fills my head like a Life magazine-style slide show, reminding me of the continual struggle of good and not-so-good in our material world, and stimulating me to reflect on what more I can do to minimize the sadness, loneliness and desperateness of others, to attempt to make everyone's life as complete and as blissful as is mine. The juxtaposition of the peaceful image of the Holy Family in the manger and the chaotic image of our world in its imperfect condition strikes me every year in the midst of "Silent Night," and I walk away nourished, renewed, and motivated from the reflection.

As with The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, and "Silent Night", I usually need a couple of minutes to find my voice at the end of each Sunday service, as I brush away any moistness in my eyes. I walk away with a full heart and spirit each Sunday and I use that nourishment to get me through the challenges of each ensuing week, fully realizing that my challenges are small compared to most. I am grateful to be a part of the Trinity community, and that my children are able to experience religion as an inclusive, accepting and enriching element in their lives.

--Jayne Howard

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

When have I known the presence of God? I have had many days where God seemed absent - even as hunger and poverty and suffering remained far from my experience.

My gift of an ordinary life is underwhelming at times; my connection with God unremarkable. Then there are those moments - the heartbreaking, joyful, quiet moments - when I am held in God's embrace, and it is familiar, and I am home.

I have known the presence of God within the most significant and simplistic events of my life - from a milestone as great as the birth of my son to a morning walk outdoors. Over time, I realized God is with us each day - in all moments. The closer I feel to Him, the more extraordinary my life becomes. There is beauty and responsibility in this light that guides me. One cannot know God's love without being called to share it.

The following quote by Albert Einstein is posted in my office. It is a source of inspiration:

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to divine a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing I do know: that we are here for the sake of each other, above all, for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, and also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built upon the labors of others, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving."

--Sharon Christopher

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

My family sang a lot of Christmas carols when I was a kid, and I loved them all, but "We Three Kings Of Orient Are" appealed to me in a different way from the rest. It wasn't just another pretty song. It was dark and exciting, with a haunting minor sound. Like all kids, I loved the presents and parties and decorations of Christmas -- the sweetness and light -- but on some level, I hoped there might be something more essential, more nitty-gritty, more crucial to this holiday, because if there weren't, it was probably going to away, along with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Whenever I heard the notes of "We Three Kings," I sensed that "something more crucial" I was needing in the Christmas story. I sensed danger. The melody compelled me to picture those three foreigners venturing through dark, cold, desert nights. I imagined them visiting a scheming King Herod, braving the hungry wild animals, sleeping on cold rocks, getting lost and spilling their spices in the sand for the 30th time (at which point, I'm guessing they might have uttered some inappropriate words). This story was not all peppermints and teddy bears and kid-stuff, this was REALITY. The characters in this Christmas story put their lives at stake. They got scared, and sometimes, I'll bet they doubted everything, including their own sanity. Even the baby Jesus was in danger. As a kid, I didn't really want to explore all these adult layers of the Christmas story, but I was glad that they were there for me to think about later. I was willing to let Santa evaporate away as I grew up, but I wanted Christmas to endure.

It is commonly known that people with depression or anxiety often feel worse than ever around the holidays because they can't follow the script that calls for overflowing jolliness all through December. In fact, any of us can fall prey to these unnaturally high expectations for 24-7 Christmas cheer. The Three Kings, their story and their carol still remind me that Advent's beautiful dark, haunting minor tones are an elemental part of the Christmas experience, and probably as inevitable for us in Advent as they were for the Kings on their adventure.

--Sarah Schmidt

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

They came to him bearing gifts.

Oooh. Who doesn't like presents? This explains why the most dazzling element of this story lay with the gifts themselves. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. It makes no difference that most of us don't know what the last two items are. They sound expensive. However, in addition to offering actual tribute to Jesus, these regal travelers offered a truly precious present. Their presence.

Showing up for important events, whether to celebrate - a marriage, an award bestowed upon a relative or friend, or birth of a baby in a manger - or to offer sympathy and support - for a death, an illness, a disappointment, a loss - is one of the most important ways that we exhibit our compassion and our humanity. After September 11^th, one of the most powerful acts of support for me was Tony Blair showing up and sitting with us Americans - us fellow human beings - in Congress during the presidential address. He didn't speak; he was just there. I will always think of his presence that night with the utmost gratitude and will never forget it.

But why do we feel called to be present with one another, the way the Magi were called to travel many miles to witness Jesus' birth? I don't think it is just because we have been told to do so, but our showing love for one another is in response to God's grace and love that was there before us and for us all. He is love, and so, He is the force moving us to be present for each other and to give presents to each other. And to make His timeless, omnipresent love better known to us He was present with us, in a form the Magi and we could see, love, and follow more easily - a human form at a particular time - Jesus at His birth. The greatest present of all.

Wise indeed.

--Linda Peterson

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

This is one of my favorite scriptures, promises from God...

Ask and it will be given
Search and you will find
Knock and the door will be opened for you.

To know that it is ok to ask, to question, to doubt and know that God and his disciples (you and I) will be there to provide answers...and while we are asking, we are probably searching, God and his disciples (remember, you and I) will take your hand and help you find...and knock and the door will be opened for you, WOW, we are all welcomed into the family of faith, we are all welcomed with open arms, no matter what, and we are embraced forever and a day.

So what does this mean to us during Advent, during this time of preparation, during this time of expectation...God's time and God's way helps to explain these promises in the expectation of the Prince of Peace as well as the many expectations, the asking, the searching and the knocking in our own lives.

Mary asked "why me" and she was told she was in "God's favor". This is not what Mary expected. Joseph searched for a place for Mary to deliver this special baby, and what he found was not what he expected. The door Mary and Joseph knocked on, the door that opened and what they found inside and who they were embraced by was not what they expected.

Promises from God, answers given, being found and doors opening to all - what awesome gifts of unconditional love....

I believe these promises are there for you and I...I asked why ... why the tremors, why the tumor, why the chronic pain, God answered me through my family. Through my family's constant comfort, shared fears and tears, laughter, responsibility they didn't ask for, and steadfast love.

I searched for answers and I found a group of kids searching for their faith, but teaching me about accepting what I cannot change, about finding the simple pleasures and abundance in life, and knowing their handprints will forever be on my heart.

I knocked and the door of acceptance and unconditional love has been shown to me, through this wonderful family of faith. No matter how much I wiggle and shake the pew, no matter if I carry a cane, no matter if I jumble my words I am still welcome, I am still embraced and held forever and a day - this door is Trinity - my faith home.

My challenge to you...Carry these promises with you always - you never know when you might be asking, searching or knocking...and listen closely to your heart for someone else's questions, for someone else's searching and knocking...be there for all, welcoming them with open arms and steadfast love.

-- Peace and Merry Christmas, Kim Merritt

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

"Glory to God in the highest ...." I cannot say those words. Even if I am reading silently, those words are not read. They are sung. Handel rings in my head. Music has always been a big part of my Christmas.

My daddy played the fiddle. He was a self taught, play-by-ear, country fiddler. He could play any tune after hearing it through once. Daddy worked in the bauxite mines. He worked hard every day and came home dirty and grimy. But as soon as he could he would clean up and play his fiddle. There was never a question of whether or not he would play that night. The only question was how much time he would have to play. In the summer when there was more work to do when he got home, he might only play half an hour. But during the winter when it was almost dark by the time he got home from the mines, he couldn't work outside. During that time of year he would play his fiddle for hours every night AND just in time for Christmas tunes. He loved playing and we loved hearing him.

As I grew older I found other wonderful Christmas music. I look forward every December to the Christmas music at Trinity. It only really feels like Christmas when the music starts. My daddy has been gone for over thirty years but I can still hear his music in my head. It is the sweetest at Christmas.

--Emily Kelton

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

"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven the shepherds said to one another..."

"What just happened...?" Realistically, don't you think that is what the shepherds said to one another? Or, maybe they had had a little wine and joked..."Who were those masked men?" Regardless, the story tells us the angels came out of nowhere, told these simple shepherds that a prophecy was fulfilled and that they needed to pick up and go and then just as suddenly the "angels" vanished into thin air.

What would you do for the promise of a miracle?

Think about it! Really, what would you do if some apparition told you to stop what you are doing, leave your job and go search for a baby who is supposed to save the world, but right now is being kept warm in a barn by the breath of cows and oxen?

Is the only miracle of Christmas that God became man and a Saviour was born to us one Holy Night? Is it that there was a star that shined so bright it outshined the others in the sky and sheep herders and kings alike followed it? Or, is it that when they were Called these simple shepherds had faith enough not to question, hope enough to believe in something bigger than themselves, and love enough to drop everything and go.

The longer I live, the more certain I am that angels surround me and call me to the miracle of Christmas every day. I can only hope I recognize them and respond some of the time with the same passion as the shepherds.

--Barb Rand

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's in a name? Throughout all of scripture, Jesus is called by many names - Son of Man, Lamb of God, Lord of Lords, Holy Redeemer - and the list goes on. My earliest recollection of the names from Isaiah, probably when I was 11 or 12, didn't come from reading the Bible but from hearing the Messiah, Handel's powerful and moving oratorio. Those prophetic Old Testament words, which foretold the coming of Jesus, would be fulfilled some 700 years later as chronicled in Luke 2:11: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord".

The names embodied in Isaiah's passage and their implication should give us all a renewed sense of hope and optimism as we celebrate His birth again this year.

Wonderful in this context refers to something that is marvelous, unusual and beyond the realm of understanding, indicative perhaps of the wondrous miracles that Jesus would perform later on in his life.

History and scripture are replete with Jesus' role as Counselor and His redemptive power in changing so many lives: fishermen turned into missionaries; Mary Magdalen's deliverance from demons in Luke 8:2; St. Augustine's remarkable conversion from notorious libertine to a great leader of the early church; and John Newton's improbable transformation from drunken slave trader to composer of "Amazing Grace".

As Mighty God and Everlasting Father, we are reminded of Jesus' omnipotence and power and His divinity as reaffirmed through the magnitude of God's creation and the hope of salvation.

And in a chaotic world torn apart by personal strife and armed conflict between nations, this Prince of Peace gives us some assurance that the world will one day see an end to the senseless violence and discord with the promise of living in peace, harmony and the spirit of Shalom.

--John Merker

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

My grandfather had a halo of white hair and voice like a pipe organ. When he sang "Lead Kindly Light" from the pulpit, people two blocks away stood silent until the final Amen. He spoke of the love of Jesus with an intimacy that brought tears to the eyes of atheists. His laugh was contagious, and it was his greatest joy to bring people out of darkness. As he aged, his skin became almost transparent, and the joy within him shone like a headlight, illuminating the way for those tiptoeing behind him.

There are many light-bearers at Trinity - not lucifers, of course, but perhaps photogens - people who glow, sparkle, shine, and radiate. They have long since left the monotonous boredom of darkness. They dance, cartwheeling and waving pompoms, leading us toward a spectacular laser show ahead, where the flashing lights spell out the Great Announcement: "God loves us all, every one!"

What a gift!

--Betty Burnett