Advent 4A

Stars of Christmas, poem — Bob Hill, USA

A poem for Christmas and Epiphany This night we steer our paths By lights in holy skies. Like eyes of old, we stare Aloft at certain stars. Pressed hard by cruel tones And ugly, unseemly times, We linger at a star of beauty, A gleaming, affirming fire. To homes and naves we go With children […]

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Joseph’s letter — Duncan Wilson, UK

Greetings, You know that I missed out on schooling so never got the proper hang of writing and rarely needed it anyway so long as I could scribble a bill. I’ve asked the Rabbi to help me with this short letter telling you the latest news. Everything is overshadowed by this tax registration. There’s no […]

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Sheep, Watched Word by John Potter, UK

Psalm 80 Renewed — Duncan Wilson, UK

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A Psalm praise — Psalm 80 Renewed To be read responsively or by a single voice Hear us, shepherd of Israel, leading the people who are your flock, exert your power and come now to our rescue. Bring us home, smile upon us with your love, and make us safe […]

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Preparing for Christmas — William Stephenson, USA

God Doesn’t ask us To believe in the future. God calls us To believe the future in! Without vision, People perish. God Doesn’t ask us To believe in love. God asks us to believe love in, By what we do and say In our relationships And daily priorities. God Doesn’t ask us To believe in […]

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Christmas Blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us go from this place proclaiming That we have seen the glory of God Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this Christmas, and […]

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Christmas gathering words — Cara Heafey, UK

This morning we have come to tell again The story of angels and shepherds Of disbelieving fathers and unlikely mothers. This morning we have come to hear again The good, good news Of love born among us Of God here with us. This morning we prepare to receive the gift Of a child born in […]

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Santa Claus? — Karen Campbell, UK

I never believed in Santa Claus – That jolly man in red, Squeezing down the chimney pot When all should be in bed. I never thought he brought me presents Neatly wrapped beneath the tree – I knew my Mum looked through her catalogue And ordered gifts for me. And not just me, you understand […]

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A place around the manger — Ana Gobledale, UK

Who am I? The mother, a vessel for someone else’s plan? The father, not the father, standing sentinel? A shepherd, dirty and bedraggled, a loner from the veld? A magi, wise and discerning, hoping in star-studded messages? An angel, iridescent, illuminating and terrifying? A donkey, nuzzling the manger, hungrily searching for hay? A lamb, bleating, […]

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Virgin Monologue — Jim Burklo, USA

 “‘God did it,’ isn’t an explanation,” said Joseph. He got no account for the baby’s chromosomes, No description of the mechanism that Transmuted the divine shadow into royal blood. “‘The devil made me do it’ would have sounded better to me,” said Joseph, Though it never did him any good When he said it to […]

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Las Posadas, Seeking room in the inn — Mexico

Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging.  They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of  children and other members of the community carrying candles.  A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way.  Jim Burklo has written new […]

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Christmas Carols with Justice — SimpleLiving, USA

Simple Living provides lyrics for Christmas Carols with Justice. The verses blend traditional and bold progressive language.  They are easy to use and bring the real world into Christmas. “Jesus’ birth has taken on much cultural significance as a celebration of good will, warm feelings and excessive consumerism. These new stanzas help to connect his birth […]

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Joseph friends Mary on Facebook — an Advent video

What would Joseph and Mary have written to each other on Facebook?  A modern media conversation from an ancient story…enjoy ‘A social media Christmas.’  Might these be ‘worship words’ for a church screen?  The images are white-Anglo, so creating a diverse portrayal may be desirable. “Bright idea: tip for using with youth… Now…watch this with […]

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Christmas Words of Assurance

As you gather with your loved ones this year, or pause to remember those you are missing most at this time, know that you are surrounded by a wider cloud of witnesses: your wider church family. Held together in God’s arms and encircled by love, may you feel God’s presence in this Holy Season. May […]

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