Hope Peace Joy Love
Rev. Jen Auger
Hope: Luke 1:5-13
As we step into the Advent Season, a season of waiting, preparing and longing, we are invited to step in with HOPE. Not the kind of hope with a pretty bow on it; but the kind that is messy, and chaotic, and leaks through the cracks of our own brokenness.
Peace: Matthew 11: 1-11
This second week of Advent we are invited into the story of John the Baptist. A young man filled with conviction and passion for showing people the way of God. Yet his conviction and passion also invite disruption and discomfort. Often when we refer to "Peacemakers" we are referring to those folks who try to smooth things over and make conflict disappear. But we also tie the story of John to the week of Peace in Advent. Reminding us that sometimes being a Peacemaker means disrupting the systems that hurt and oppress, setting firm boundaries to allow love and compassion, forgiveness and hope the space to take seed.
Joy: Luke 1: 26-39
Come celebrate the joy, wonder and surprise of the Christmas story this week at Hope Springs! Our young folks will be taking a leadership role as they offer our reflection in the form of a story book: The ABCs of Christmas. We will also honour Giving Sunday, lifting up and blessing the gifts that adorn our Giving Tree. Join us as we experience that the joy of the Christmas story is that we are a living part of it, not just passive bystanders.
Love: Matthew 1: 18-25
We talk a lot about God's Love through Advent. God so Loved the world... But sometimes Love feels very far away. Intangible. And maybe we even feel unworthy. The stories in the nativity narrative remind us though that Love is something we share in partnership with another. God so loved the world, God invited us into partnership through Jesus. Joseph was afraid, and at first withdrew - until he leaned into Love. Leaned into his partnership with God to bring safety and comfort to Mary despite his own fears. What does it mean for you to be in partnership with God this season? How might you lean into Love; and what might that Love help you to overcome?