Advent: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Published on November 22, 2010

To help us celebrate Advent and Christmas together as a church family, Pastor Mark suggests three ways to participate in this year’s Advent and Christmas seasons.

FIRST
Do you have a favorite prayer? I am collecting 25 prayers, one for every day of Advent and Christmas Day. If you have a favorite prayer or poem that has comforted or inspired you, a favorite table grace, or you are willing to write a prayer to share, I will select 25 to make available to all members, friends, and virtual members of Calvary. If you wish to contribute a prayer (or two), please send it in an email or as a Word document attached to an email. We will post them here:

Poems and Prayers for Advent 2010

WEEK ONE

WEEK TWO

WEEK THREE

WEEK FOUR

SECOND
We have traditionally invited four people or households to light the Advent candles. We will continue that tradition but with a slight variation. Instead of reading the reflection printed in our Book of Common Worship, I am inviting 4 people to write a brief reflection on the Gospel theme of the day and share their reflection as they light the Advent candle of the day. The four themes are:

First Sunday of Advent (November 28)

Keep awake, therefore, and be ready, for the Lord is coming at an unexpected hour.

ADVENT REFLECTION, WEEK ONE

Second Sunday of Advent (December 5)

Bear fruit worthy of repentance, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

ADVENT REFLECTION, WEEK TWO

Third Sunday of Advent (December 12)

Go and tell what you have seen and heard: the poor receive good news, and the dead are raised to new life.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 19)

Look! The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, God with us.

ADVENT REFLECTION, WEEK FOUR

Please contact me if you would like to offer a reflection on one of the above themes.

THIRD
Give gifts. Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to join family and friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and exchange gifts in the spirit of God’s gift of Emmanuel. I am inviting all members, friends, and virtual members of Calvary to give the following gifts and, if you like, to share your gift ideas online on the church’s blog.

FIRST GIFT (First week of Advent): a legacy--to continue a practice or steward a treasure for future generations. It could be as simple as making and teaching one or two in the next generation to make a beloved recipe that’s been in the family for generations. It could mean caring for a piece of property: a bit of land, heirloom jewelry, grandmother’s china, a beloved and well-used desk, etc., to preserve for future generations.

SECOND GIFT (Second week of Advent): A gift to present family and/or friends, e.g. the gift of time, or of listening, or of changing a habit or practice to be more present, or helpful, or generous with another.

THIRD GIFT (Third week of Advent): A gift to yourself. If you drew your own name in the family gift exchange and had the opportunity to love yourself as much as a spouse, friend, child, grandchild, etc., what would you give yourself?

FOURTH GIFT (Fourth week of Advent): A gift to the church. This is our family of faith. How can you bless this family?

FIFTH GIFT (Christmas Eve or Day): A gift to Christ. Where has Christ been calling you to a change of heart, a change of mind, a particular task, or a ministry of Christ’s body—the church?

You may send your prayers and gift ideas any time. Beginning November 28, we’ll start posting them on the church’s webpage so you can check out the prayer of the day and others’ gift ideas.

Prayers, reflections, and gifts: three ways to participate in and experience the wonder of Advent and Christmas this year.

Email: calvarymilwaukee@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (414) 271-8782