Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
Wise ones come from away seeking a new king. They get lost, because they go looking in a palace and in a capital. When they find a child born among animals, they—and we—are left to ponder, what if nations came to pay homage to a poor child? What if nations sought to live together in such a way that all children might be welcomed as the beloved of God?

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Lessons and Carols

As we tell of the many characters of Christ’s birth stories, we recognize that none of them find God with Us through a path they would expect. As we come to celebrate perfect love come down, we pray to release all our expectations of perfection in our celebrations, in the season, in our lives… we find that God has come to meet us where and how we are. What Joy to the World!

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Scripture: Luke 1:46-55
The Church has adapted the story of Mary’s reflection on the coming of her child, Jesus. We say she sang these words. What changes when we sing a story of God’s love? How can the song hold our deepest hopes, even when we cannot?

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Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10
As our children share Christ’s birth with us in our annual Christmas Pageant, we wonder at what gifts come to us as we turn this holy story over to our youngest members of the church. As they bring creativity, the unexpected, the silly, and wondrous to life with Jesus… how are we changed? How are we invited back into this story to hear it fresh again and again?

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Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
What would our ancestors—and what do we—mean when we say that “a little child shall lead us” into radical visions of peace? It may be that we need to return to curiosity and wonder of that age to find our common good.

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Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5
In a time of wars, and rumors of wars, Isaiah tells of a time when weapons will be remade into tools of life and life giving. If we would seek the same, how do we warm the forge of hope?

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Scripture: John 6:25-35
The 5000 whom Jesus fed are looking for him. They are sure that he has made for them a sign of God’s presence in the abundance of bread… but maybe? Maybe he has made a sign in a community of 5000 in which there is enough for all to be fed. How can we, too, be this sign of abundance and God’s care?

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Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

The prophet Isaiah tells of a new coming new creation in which the hurts, conflicts, and grief of the world are no more. Interestingly, the prophetic word hinges on forgetting when so much of the people’s relationship with God is a call to remembering. These words land tenderly for those who are holding memory for others. How does memory (and forgetting) shape our experiences of great pain, but also of great love?

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Scripture: Luke 20:27-38
Confronted by a question about resurrection to a life that feels anything but freeing, Jesus reminds us that resurrection is liberation… and encouragement to live for that freedom in this life.

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Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23
As we give thanks for the saints of our community—and of our lives—we reflect on the inheritance we receive through Christ… and the ways God, and others, pass on light and love through the generations.

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