“We must live with our hearts
in our hands - like Mary.
 
We must hold the blood-
red heart and not be disappointed
when others look away.”
― Kelli Russell Agodon, Hourglass Museum

READING:
Luke 1.46-55 (CEB )
​Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name. He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

​Bo 

The word home summons up a place… which you have rich and complex feelings about, a place where you feel, or did feel once, uniquely at home, which is to say a place where you feel you belong… a place where you feel that all is ultimately well even if things are not going all that well at any given moment… I believe that … the home we long for and belong to is finally where Christ is. I believe that home is Christ’s Kingdom, which exists both within us and among us as we wend our prodigal ways through the world in search of it.
           - Frederick Buechner (from The Longing for  
                Home, edited for worship)

READING:
Around the time of Elizabeth’s amazing pregnancy and John’s birth, the emperor in Rome, Caesar Augustus, required everyone in the Roman Empire to participate in a massive census— the first census since Quirinius had become governor of Syria. Each person had to go to his or her ancestral city to be counted. Mary’s fiancé Joseph, from Nazareth in Galilee, had to participate in the census in the same way everyone else did. Because he was a descendant of King David, his ancestral city was Bethlehem, David’s birthplace. Mary, who was now late in her pregnancy that the messenger Gabriel had predicted, accompanied Joseph. While in Bethlehem, she went into labor and gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid Him in a feeding trough because the inn had no room for them.
                                        - Luke 2.1-7 (The Voice)

Worship from Home
Signs Pointing Toward Bethlehem

This is a service to be done at home on Sunday morning, the last Sunday in Advent.  It is adaptable to be something done alone with quiet reflection or with a group of people of various sizes and ages who hopefully are perhaps in a boisterous “snow-day” type mood. Be sure to listen to the YouTube clips where they are - some beautiful music to guide you this day!

“O, Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.”

Invitation to Worship
One: Come away from times of weariness.
All: We dare to accept the hope God offers.
One: Come away from all the insignificant distractions.
All: We dare to let God show us a larger picture.
One: Come away from the scorn of enemies.
All: We make our journey to Bethlehem by a different way.  God be with us!
 
Advent Wreath
(If you have an Advent Wreath at home, you can use this to follow our liturgy from the last several weeks.  If you DO NOT have an Advent Wreath at home, you can still read through the liturgy out loud, and perhaps only light ONE candle at the end of the spoken piece.)
 
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of endless love and faithfulness. Out of darkness light shines, pointing us in hope to the One who came to overcome the darkness of this world and to be our light in the world to come.
 
Three weeks ago we lit the candle of the Prophets and remembered those who first spoke the promise of the coming Messiah. [Light a purple candle.)

Two weeks ago we lit the candle of the Holy Family, reminding us to not be afraid of the journey, of the waiting, or of the preparations being made to receive and cradle the Christ-Child. [Light a purple candle.)
 
Last week we lit the Shepherds' candle, remembering the first in a long line of people who joyfully shared the good news of the Savior's birth. [Light the pink candle.]
 
The fourth candle on the Advent wreath is the candle of the Magi’s star.  The Magi, like us, are still on their way to Bethlehem.  They have not yet arrived.  They may not arrive by the time of his birth, but they still journey on.  As we journey together, the star, and this fourth candle, remind us how God has given each of us a part in preparing the world for the coming of the Christ-Child.  Whether we are a mother, a father, a shepherd, a townsperson, a magi or a star, this light reminds us of our part in showing the world the way to Immanuel. [Light the last purple candle]
​(Or, if you don’t have an Advent wreath, light your one candle to remind us of God's presence.)
 
Scripture: Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,
    the world and its inhabitants too.
Because God is the one who established it on the seas;
    God set it firmly on the waters.
Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain?
    Who can stand in his holy sanctuary?
Only the one with clean hands and a pure heart;
    the one who hasn’t made false promises,
    the one who hasn’t sworn dishonestly.
That kind of person receives blessings from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God who saves.
And that’s how things are
    with the generation that seeks him--
    that seeks the face of Jacob’s God. Selah
Mighty gates: lift up your heads!
    Ancient doors: rise up high!
        So the glorious king can enter!
Who is this glorious king?
    The Lord—strong and powerful!
    The Lord—powerful in battle!
Mighty gates: lift up your heads!
    Ancient doors: rise up high!
        So the glorious king can enter!
Who is this glorious king?
    The Lord of heavenly forces--
        he is the glorious king! Selah
 
Prayer (with the Lord’s Prayer)
God of angels and sheep, God of the poor and meek, God of the rich and the foreigner, God of the star: In these days before Christmas, in these days in which we journey toward Bethlehem, quiet us so we may hear where new life is struggling to be born; slow our rush so we may see the faint light of a star directing us toward the words whispered in hope. Create in us pure hearts and renew within us steadfast spirits that the light of the star will permeate our lives, pointing us toward you, until we share fully in your glory.  Just as the magi were open to following a star of a king they did not know, open our hearts to follow the signs you place before us.  Open our lives, that we will also show others the way to Immanuel, God with us. We pray these and all things in the name of God-with-us….
Our Father, who art in heaven….

Hearing God’s Story
(Use the S.O.A.P. method as a creative, but simple way to engage God’s eternal story in your own way.)
 
S for Scripture
Take time to read the following scriptures aloud or to yourself. As you read, you’re may notice that a certain verse(s) stands out to you. Highlight, underline or place a mark in the margin of your Bible next to that scripture(s). When you are done reading the entire passage, reread the verses you marked, and choose one that particularly spoke to you this day.
 
O for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this verse? Paraphrase this scripture in your own words.  You can either share this paraphrase with one another or write it in a journal.
 
A for Application
Personalize what you have read by asking yourself how it applies to life right now, either your own life, the life of our city, or the larger world. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of life. Share this with one another, or write down in a journal how this Scripture can apply to life today.
 
P for Prayer
Bring your time to a close with prayer. This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this Scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what God may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say!
 
Isaiah 7:10-16 (Common English Bible)
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.”
 
But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask; I won’t test the Lord.”
 
Then Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to be tiresome for people that you are also tiresome before my God? Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. He will eat butter and honey, and learn to reject evil and choose good. Before the boy learns to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be abandoned.
 
Micah 5:2-5a (The Voice)
    But you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
        of the clans of Judah, are no poor relation--
    From your people will come a Ruler
        who will be the shepherd of My people, Israel,
    Whose origins date back to the distant past,
        to the ancient days.
So God will abandon Israel
    only until the now-laboring mother gives birth,
And then those of His people who survive
    will be gathered back together with the rest of Israel.
And he will stand and feed his flock in the power of the Eternal One,
    with the majesty of the name of the Eternal, his True God.
And they will live in safety, for his greatness will extend to the farthest parts of the earth.
He will be our peace.
 
Response Time
(You can wonder about these questions together, aloud, on your own, or in a journal.  Let your mind fill with wonder as you wander toward Bethlehem.)

• I wonder how many people throughout history have looked for a sign of God’s presence?
• I wonder how often people throughout history have mistaken a sign from God?
  • I wonder if you have ever mistaken a sign from God because you expected something larger or more specific?
• I wonder how often we have missed a sign from God?
• I wonder how the Magi felt when they saw a special star?
• I wonder how people knew the star was special, while others just saw a star?
• I wonder what compelled the Magi to follow the star?
• I wonder if you have ever been compelled to follow a sign?
• I wonder what response is brought forth as you have listened to these scriptures?
• I wonder if you are feeling compelled to sing? draw? pray? call a friend? write a letter to a leader?
• Each Sunday we read and practice liturgy.  The word liturgy means “the work of the people.”
  • I wonder what work would God have you do after hearing these scriptures?

Blessing [2]
By the tender mercy of our God
love has broken upon us!
Light is given where once there was darkness
and hope where there was only death.
We go into this season knowing
that God will guide our feet into the way of peace.

"O, Star of wonder, star of night
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light."

Isaiah 7:10-16 (Common English Bible)
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.”
 
But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask; I won’t test the Lord.”
 
Then Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you to be tiresome for people that you are also tiresome before my God? Therefore, the Lord will give you a sign. The young woman is pregnant and is about to give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel. He will eat butter and honey, and learn to reject evil and choose good. Before the boy learns to reject evil and choose good, the land of the two kings you dread will be abandoned.

Micah 5:2-5a (The Voice)
    But you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
        of the clans of Judah, are no poor relation--
    From your people will come a Ruler
        who will be the shepherd of My people, Israel,[a]
    Whose origins date back to the distant past,
        to the ancient days.
 
So God will abandon Israel
    only until the now-laboring mother gives birth,
And then those of His people who survive
    will be gathered back together with the rest of Israel.
 
And he will stand and feed his flock in the power of the Eternal One,
    with the majesty of the name of the Eternal, his True God.
And they will live in safety, for his greatness will extend to the farthest parts of the earth.
 
He will be our peace.

WORSHIP HEADING:
I was angry as we ran to Bethlehem; why should shepherds honor the birth of a nobleman’s son?  And make no mistake, this was a noble birth. Why else would we hear so much about a prince? Imagine my surprise when we arrived at… a stable, which housed cattle, sheep, and a peasant couple adoring a new-born son.
 
I approached his “royal” feeding trough and gazed into his eyes.  They were deep and dark as pools; and in their innocence seemed to embrace the entire world: peasant and noble alike.  It was then that my anger melted, and my heart joyfully sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth… peace.”
                  - from Nathan, a Shepherd, by Bo Crowe

​
READING:
Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness was replaced by a glorious light—the shining light of God’s glory. They were terrified! Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy, news that will affect all people everywhere Today, in the city of David, a Liberator has been born for you! He is the promised Anointed One, the Supreme Authority! You will know you have found Him when you see a baby, wrapped in a blanket, lying in a feeding trough. At that moment, the first heavenly messenger was joined by thousands of other messengers—a vast heavenly choir. They praised God. To the highest heights of the universe, glory to God! And on earth, peace among all people who bring pleasure to God! As soon as the heavenly messengers disappeared into heaven, the shepherds were buzzing with conversation. Let’s rush down to Bethlehem right now! Let’s see what’s happening! Let’s experience what the Lord has told us about!
                                           - Luke 2.8-15 (The Voice)