In the Gospel today we hear there is a voice of one crying out in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This voice continues, “One mightier than I is coming after me.”
What do we hear? Whose voice do we listen to, especially in the hard times?
While I went through my divorce it would have been easy to listen to the voices in our society that told me to be angry, to not forgive or forget, and to make him pay. But instead I heard two words that called to me from deep within: integrity and forgiveness. I knew that as I traveled this difficult time I did not want to lose myself. I trusted that through forgiving I could be true to who I am. Anger rose up many times, with the loud voice of society saying “yes, be angry,” next to this solitary voice from within that said, “forgive.” Forgiveness led me on the path of not losing myself.
A year ago we offered a CEW weekend for the Deaf and I was honored to be able to be part of the weekend. Spending time with those who are deaf or hard of hearing was both a challenge and a blessing. Sign language was an important tool used to communicate on the weekend. Several of us “hearing” folks were reminded that we cannot talk too fast and that we can only have one discussion happening at a time. Often in our hearing world there are multiple conversations, and lots of noise, but what do we give our attention to? The words and ideas that enter my ears fills my heart and my mind – what do I allow to have access to my heart and mind?
During this past year what voice have you been listening to? The voice of those around you, or the voice of God within you?
Action:
PRAYER: Blessing of the Christmas Tree, and lighting of the Advent wreath.
Leader: Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever.
All: Amen.
Leader: Family, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.
Reader:
Thus says the Lord God:
I, too, will pluck from the crest of the cedar
the highest branch.
From the top a tender shoot
I will break off and transplant
on a high, lofty mountain.
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this
sign of our faith in the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on
which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the
Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let
us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the
world, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, give light to our hearts.
Leader: Lord our God,
we praise you for the light of creation:
the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night.
We praise you for the light of Israel:
the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son:
he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace,
who fills us with the wonder of your love.
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The lights of the tree are then illuminated.
Now light the the Advent wreath (two violet candles)
Reader: “When they heard the sound of the Lord God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. The Lord God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard You in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.” Then God asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat?””
Genesis 3:8-11
All: “Open my ears, Lord so that I can come to know and trust your voice as a sheep knows the voice of the shepherd.”
Song: “Open My Eyes, Lord”
Leader: May Almighty God Bless and watch over us this Advent season.
All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
