Advent Reflections
Monday - December 23, 2024
Staff Member Reflection (Rachel Mann):
In this final week of Advent, take a moment to read this reflection on Love, written by Rachel Mann, our Minister for Worship, Youth, and Children.
When thinking about love during this Advent season, the song "Love Came Down at Christmas" keeps coming to my mind. This was a new hymn to me several years ago, and it is one that has grown in significance to me each year since. The lyrics are simple yet beautiful, and the first verse paints a picture of the first Christmas:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
Star and angels gave the sign.
After doing a little research into this hymn, I was surprised to learn that its author, Christina Rossetti, wrote the lyrics to another popular Christmas carol: "In the Bleak Midwinter". These poems are strikingly different in tone and setting. Dr. C. Michael Hawn describes these differences, writing, "While the first stanza of 'In the Bleak Midwinter' paints a vivid picture of an unwelcoming and desolate landscape—a symbolic representation of the state of the world encountered by the incarnate God—'Love Came Down at Christmas' presents an inviting image of incarnate 'Love' descending to Earth, heralded by 'star and angels.' Indeed, if one includes the word 'lovely,' 'Love' is mentioned 12 times in three short stanzas."
The differences in these poems could also describe some of the disconnect that I feel at times between the world and my faith. Parts of my life are full of the hope, peace, joy, and love that we speak so often about during Advent. But, there are distractions that pull me into the "unwelcoming and desolate landscape". Serious problems that require solutions bigger than me abound in the news and in the world. Unkind and even hateful comments can be seen each time I peruse social media. And sometimes, there are problems looming that have no solution but to get through them.
The longer I dwell in these spaces, the more difficult it can be to see the love in this hymn. This is why I am grateful for the gift of songs, both old and new, that come into my mind when least expect it and when I need it most. During this 2024 Advent season, my roadmap back to love can be found in the second and third verses:
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token;
Love be yours and love be mine;
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
I hope that during this week of Advent and Christmas, you are able to find moments of love, whether that be in song, with friends and family, or in moments of solitude.
More of Dr. Hawn's history of this hymn can be found at the following link: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-love-came-down-at-christmas-1
UBC Member Reflections (Max Forbes and Barbara Gould)
Also take a moment to read these poems written by Max Forbes, current UBC member, and Barbara Gould, former UBC member.
The Time of the Toys
By Max Forbes
Christmas 1988
All day, they lie beneath the tree,
Forms fixed and eyes unseeing,
While children touch and fondle them,
Content with just their being.
As day grows long, there comes a stir
Unfelt, ‘cept ‘neath the tree.
In each small form a pulse begins,
For what is soon to be.
Soon, children amble off to bed;
Quiet night supplants the day.
Now, parents put the home to sleep
And darkness comes to stay.
The time of the toys is now at hand,
Drum-major’s whistle blows
And they that waited come to life
To form themselves in rows.
Across the living room they march
With execution neat,
There’s lion, and horse, and Raggedy Ann,
Each feeling drummer’s beat.
Now to, now fro, they march all night
Content their joy to spend,
‘Til first small hint of dawnlight comes,
And toy time comes to end.
Back ‘neath the Christmas tree they troop
Each in its place just right.
And in each toy a dream begins,
A dream of the march next night.
A Christmas Fantasy
By Barbara Gould
December 13, 1988
It was late, on Christmas Eve,
(The last customer gone away).
The old toymaker rubbed his eyes -
It had been a truly long day.
And now, it was time at last
To close the shop, and go
To his humble abode above the store,
With the toys all there, just below.
Wearily, he latched the door;
And, taking his candle in hand,
Slowly, s-o-o slowly, climbed the steps
To bed - and to slumberland.
*****************************************
And the moon peeked in the window -
Told the stars, “It’s OK! He’s asleep!”
And the stars just chuckled and twinkled
As over all their watch they did keep.
And all was so quiet and peaceful,
It would seem naught could occur
Till morning - But, wait!
In the shop, something began to stir!
A flutter, first - almost nothing;
Then a rattle - a note!
Softly, gears began grinding;
A golden light o’er all seemed to float;
The dolls looked brightly around them;
Laughed at the “fluffing-up”of the bears;
Tops spun dizzily about;
And the blocks formed into see stairs!
But the best of all - and the brightest;
The group that was the most grand,
Was a new set of tall, wooden soldiers
Made that day by the toymaker’s hand!
No coats were ever so red!
No straps so gleaming white!
No tall black hats ever rode so proudly
As they marched into the light!
Their muskets were lined up just so;
The drum told a steady beat;
And the shop was filled with toy music
And the sounds of wooden marching feet!
Around the shop, a turn or two,
Then, back to to their corner they stepped;
And the other toys, and dolls, and things,
Back to their places also crept.
**********************************************
And upstairs, through the window,
The moon shone a loving beam
On the old toymaker - who smiled in his sleep -
For, he thought it was all just a dream!
2024 Advent Reflections
Monday - December 2, 2024
In this first week of Advent, we invite you to take a moment to read this reflection on hope, written by our Senior Co-Pastor Jon Parks. May your prayer time this week be filled with immense hope!
We witnessed the power of hope firsthand when we lived in Slovakia, visiting different Roma communities. Slovak Roma, commonly known as gypsies, live in settlements that are outside the main cities and villages. Many cannot get jobs because of prejudice or lack of education. Children go to segregated schools. Families live paycheck to paycheck. Because of this, many Roma are – understandably – cynical, guarded and mistrustful of any outsiders.
But we met a few families who were different. They faced the same challenges as their neighbors: racism, segregation, unfairness, and just the general difficulty of life in poverty. But they faced those challenges in a different way. Rather than cynicism and resignation that we saw so often, these families faced life with joy, determination and openness. Rather than hoarding, they shared openly.
Over time, we learned what made the difference between these families, who faced the same difficulties, but faced them with a positive mindset. The difference, it turns out, is hope. These families had hope.
And the sign of hope was an unlikely thing – a refrigerator.
If you're reading this, odds are, you have a refrigerator at home. But that appliance that seems so common to us is actually very uncommon in many Roma households. Living day by day, you don't really have need for a refrigerator. You barely have enough food to eat as it is, and you certainly don't have a need to store it. But when you buy a refrigerator, there's an expectation that you will have enough to eat, and some to save for later.
A refrigerator itself does not give hope. But it's a sign of hope and expectation.
What are our signs of hope? They're familiar to us, but strange to others. A star, a sign of our hope that these dark days won’t last forever. A manger, a sign of our hope that we have Emmanuel, a God who’s with us, even the lowliest of us. A cross, our hope that violence and death don't have the final word.
What sign of hope are you holding onto this Advent season? When you discover it, treasure it. But don’t stop there – share it with others. After all, the hope we have was meant to be shared.
Thursday - December 5, 2024
Maybe You Can Help Someone Else, Someday - Written by Ann Biggers
No one had ever said the words, “Maybe you can help someone else someday” to me. However, people in my life learned those words when my daughter-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. We ended that hard day at our Wednesday evening prayer service. As we sat around the table sharing concerns, Aaron and I told the group of the unexpected and shattering diagnosis. Tanty was only twenty-two, the epitome of strength and energy as recently as a month before. We had expected an inconvenient diagnosis, not a life-threatening one. As we spoke in halting voices, I saw Carolyn Evans’ face fill with such compassion. When the service concluded, she was at our side. She and Duane told us that their son had died of cancer years before. Yet their message was not one of despair. They talked to us of improvement of treatment. They told us that no matter how hard the days ahead might seem, that we would not be alone. They told us to make the days count. How often I think of this. They were willing to open their pain up again and reach out to us, an immeasurable gift.
Apples for Tomorrow - Written by Ann Biggers
Deep inside itself, an apple holds a secret.
A star of promise, a star of surprise and hope.
Within the gentle curves and points of that hidden center,
Seeds of the future find shelter,
Promising us apples for tomorrow
And a feeding of the soul.
Monday - December 9, 2024
More than just a peaceful easy feeling! - Written by Eric Fulcher
On this second Monday of Advent, we invite you to take a moment to read this reflection on peace, written by our Associate Pastor Eric Fulcher. May you feel God’s peace at work in your life this week!
What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”? Perhaps, “peace on earth” or the absence of war? Maybe you think of a special place in nature that you like to go to get some “peace and quiet”. Perhaps peace comes to mind when you are with your family or close friends, when you feel at ease and relaxed, with a sense that things are OK with the world.
These are certainly wonderful ways to think about peace. And as is often the case, especially when it comes to concepts we find in the Bible, there is an even greater depth to the concept of peace than we often consider.
There’s a Hebrew word, שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which is one of the most important words in the entire Old Testament (it appears over 230 times!). And while it can mean things like calm, stillness, or quiet, there is so much more to this one little word. Scholars think that the best definition for shalom might be “wholeness” or “completeness”. Think about it. Take a moment to think back to a time in your life when you felt at peace, when things felt right and good. I bet you also felt a sense of wholeness, a sense that you were put together more completely in a way that was meaningful and fulfilling. That feeling of wellbeing is what we mean by peace.
Take this Scripture as an example, from Numbers 6:24-26, which no doubt you’ve heard countless times:
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
This was a blessing spoken by Moses and Aaron to the people of Israel as they worked out together how they were going to order their lives and follow their God. It was a word of encouragement that God would be with them every step of the way, and that God would give them shalom: wholeness, security, and wellbeing. To a group of freed slaves trying to find their way in the world, I’d imagine that blessing gave them incredible hope.
This is so much more than a “peaceful easy feeling” (though I love the Eagles as much as anyone). Rather, if we’re listening closely to the Scriptures, they might help us think of that peaceful feeling as a wonderful byproduct of something much deeper, namely the confidence that God has put us together, made us complete, whole and well, and is still with us even now.
This is good news! And it just so happens to be the story of Christmas, when God became flesh and dwelled among us, showing us what a life filled with God’s shalom can look like. May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts this Advent and Christmas season, and may you experience deeply God’s shalom!
See also this reflection from Mavis Guelker, current UBC member, about the real meaning of Christmas!
“Before Christmas last year or the year before, they were showing holiday decorations and holiday foods on T.V. and saying “That’s what Christmas is all about” or “That’s the meaning of Christmas.” I found Little Golden Books (a brand of children’s books) that told what the real meaning of Christmas is - about Jesus’ birth - and mailed one to each of my 20 great-great-grandchildren. They loved the books and their parents said they were one of their favorite books.” - Mavis Guelker
“The meaning of Christmas” is a phrase we hear a lot, whether in popular media or in church. What does Christmas mean to you?
Thursday - December 12, 2024
Church Member Reflection (Bonnie Ellis) & Staff Member Reflection (Jon Parks)
If you were in worship last Advent, you heard a beautiful original piece co-written by current UBC member and deacon chair Bonnie Ellis (lyrics) and Senior Co-Pastor Jon Parks. Take a moment to listen to the piece again and reflect on the lyrics.
Stillness can be hard to come by in our lives these days. Where can you find a small moment of stillness in your life this week and embrace the peace God has for you?
https://www.youtube.com/live/_Qy4-zG4t3c?si=x8wHYleUMyDbozh2&t=1817
“In the Stillness” by Bonnie Ellis (words) and Jon Parks (music)
Feel the stillness of the night
Darkness winds through heart and air
Weary bodies search for light
None is found
Hope recedes
Eyes are dimmed with pain and care.
One small act of kindness done
For new life a place is made
Then he comes, the cherished one
Father sighs
Mother smiles
Heav’ns prepare and darkness fades.
Cow and donkey, sheep and dove
Gather round and feel the peace
For the earth a heav’nly love
Blossoms out
Reaches far
Sorrow, care, and strivings cease.
Angels sing
Shepherds muse
Footsteps ring
Wise men choose
Haste to bring
Hearts to use
All to serve the newborn King!
Monday - December 16, 2024
Staff Member Reflection (Tanya Parks)
On this third Monday of Advent, take a moment to read this reflection on Joy, written by our Senior Co-Pastor Rev. Tanya Parks.
Finding Joy - Rev. Tanya Parks
When I think about JOY, the first carol that comes to my mind is, not surprisingly, “Joy to the World.”
Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry Heart prepare him room,
And Heav'n and nature sing.
God is here – Immanuel – and that’s something to celebrate. This song calls us to prepare our hearts to make room for this coming King. We sing with JOY at this gift.
But, joy isn’t always easy to have this time of year; we are so focused on buying the perfect gift, making the perfect dish, hosting the perfect party. The hustle and bustle and need to get it all perfect gets in the way of our joy.
I typically look to children for a reminder and example of what joy might look like. The smiles on their faces, the innocent laughter, the way they compliment my sparkly Christmas sweater. Recently, I went out to the playground of our Mother’s Day Out program. The children had just received their assignments for the Christmas play. They all ran up to me shouting, “I’m going to be a shepherd.” “I’m going to be an angel.” “I’m going to be a star.” They were so excited. There was such great JOY in these new roles. Then, one girl said, “I’m going to be a mermaid.” Innocent joy! I can’t wait to be at that nativity play!
But, joy is also a deep feeling that even though life isn’t going the way we’d want there is still hope. Even when our present isn’t the best one under the tree or the cake didn’t turn out like we’d hoped or there’s tension within the family – JOY is still there, burning like a candle deep within us, connecting hope and peace. On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of HOPE; the second Sunday is the candle of PEACE; and on the third, the candle of JOY. Like those candles, we have to tend to it, keep it from being ‘snuffed out’ if you will.
Sometimes joy takes a little work – much like hope and peace. We’ve got to stop long enough to notice that candle glowing. Give it a little oxygen, maybe even re-light it now and then. Where do you find joy? Is it in the face of a child? Or perhaps it's a job well done or serving others. Or maybe it's finding that thing you love to do the most and doing that this season. Or perhaps it's sitting quietly with a good book and a cup of tea. I pray that you will seek and find joy this season.
Church Member Reflection (Phil Beaver)
Redirecting “Bah Humbug!”
Parents who introduce their young children to the gift-Santa image may eventually face a civic challenge like this: "Today, classmates teased me that Santa is not real. Are they right?"
One of our three children asked that question, and I answered, "Santa-the-person is made-up, but social goodwill is real."
I wanted to protect our child from further concern or debate and assure family integrity. As it turned out, I also protected myself for the unexpected follow-up questions, below. My explanation, complete with opinions and any errors, follows:
Santa is a personification--a fictitious person to represent an idea. The idea is responsible goodwill toward other people.
Many people naturally want to practice goodwill always. However, most people are imperfect and sometimes make mistakes. Most societies have a traditional event to recall the practice of goodwill, periodically emphasizing goodness throughout the community. In the Christian culture, that time of the year is Christmastime. Believers celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Three wise men carried gifts to the baby Jesus.
Other cultures give gifts to children. In Christian traditions, the patron saint of children is St. Nicholas. Some Christians, for anonymity, named St. Nicholas the gift giver, and the name has evolved to ‘Santa.’
Santa is accepted beyond the Christian community, especially by retail stores, to promote sales.
However, the favorite role of Santa is to remind ourselves to exercise good will toward people--people of all communities and traditions, including ourselves--year round.
Our 8 year old daughter responded, "So the gifts marked 'from Santa' are really from you and Mom, like my classmates said? Mom put cookies out and you ate them?"
I answered, "Yes."
She softly said, "Thank you, Dad," and went to thank her mom. There was no "humbug" in our dialogue.
Gifts from our daughter have always been thoughtful and novel. Nearly fifty years have passed and at some point during Christmas eve dinner she shouts with glee, "Let's hurry! I want to see what Santa brought."
Published by the Advocate, December 24, 1999, updated on October 4, 2024
Thursday - December 19, 2024
In this third week of Advent, take a moment to read a reflection written by former pastor Rev. George A. Haile, published on the third Sunday of Advent some years ago.
The Third Sunday of Advent - December 17
Defining the Word
“I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”
–John 14:6
It has always been significant to me that the challenge of Jesus to people he encountered was “Follow Me.” The earliest Christians were called “Followers of the Way.” Being a Christian was (and is) being a follower of him who is the Way. What a bold and profound statement for Jesus to say about himself – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
When I was a youngster, we played a game called “follow the leader.” The object of the game was to go where the leader went, to do what the leader did. Without giving too much thought to the safety or sanity of such.
As human beings we are trying to get through this maze called life. We are trying to experience a good, meaningful, fulfilling life. At times our way gets blocked. We find ourselves on a dead end street. Sometimes we take the wrong turn, get on the wrong path, and find out later that we are going in the wrong direction. Yet, we keep going hoping we will find our way.
We need to ask ourselves, “If we get where we are going, where will we be?” The way we travel has a lot to do with what we experience on the journey and it has everything to do with where we end up. Advent is about the coming of Christ. It is about God coming to us in the human Jesus. In him we see God’s Truth and God’s Life. He does not tell us how to get to God, to God’s Truth and Life. He says walk with me and you will experience such. Life is an ongoing journey. We do not get all truth or all of life at once. Through being with Christ in daily obedient fellowship, we experience more and more of God’s Truth and Life.
As God comes to us in Christ, may we commit ourselves anew to follow Him in our daily walk of life. By doing such we will experience His kind of life.
Rev. George A. Haile