Opening

Hope gives way to joy!  God meets us in the ordinariness and messiness of life and enters it, because we are so loved.

Isaiah 9:6

For a child has been born for us,

    a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders,

    and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Reflection

Who can begin to fathom this incomprehensible, moving news?

Look at who our God is, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What’s more, God is One who enters our humanity as one of us, and into the messiness of our lives. God is Emmanuel, God with us. What could mean more?  God knows what it is to be us, in our everyday moments, and in our life-changing moments. When we are celebrating life’s special occasions,  and when we are grieving our deepest losses. God sees us. God hears us. God is with us. Praise God for this blessing beyond words.

How very loved we are. If you are not feeling that this day, may the truth of these words seep into the deepest part of you, taking root. You are so loved.

Prayer

Oh God praise you for who and all you are, and for being Emmanuel, God with us.

How truly blessed we are. May we live it out in the world, embodying you. Amen.

Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff, Executive Director

Opening

This Advent we explore how God meets us in the ordinariness and messiness of life.

We continue with the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-14

 “Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Reflection

Shepherds were going about their lives, carrying out their work when suddenly an angel comes with the most astonishing and wonderful news- that God was doing the unimaginable. God entered their midst as someone with skin on. God draws close, as near as our own breath in bodily form. Our story becomes entwined with God’s story, in a loving and intimate way. We are so loved and held. God knows what it is to be human, with all that’s good and all that is so hard.  We are seen. We are heard. God is as close as our own breath.

Prayer

May you sense how deeply you are loved and held by the One who is as close as your very breath. Amen.

Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff, Executive Director

Opening

This Advent we explore how God meets us in the ordinariness and messiness of life, We continue with Joseph.

Matthew 1: 18-25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly.  But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife  but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son,  and he named him Jesus.

Reflection

Joseph was an honorable man whose hopes were dashed, whose dreams went up in smoke. The life he planned on was seemingly gone. When and where has that happened for you? When have doubts and questions plagued you, or are they now?  God met Joseph in a dream. How has God met you? If you haven’t, you are invited to share your doubts and questions with God. It may bring a sense of relief in doing so, in lamenting losses. Be gentle with yourself and notice in what ways God comes to you. Maybe God comes through an experience with nature, through the love of a friend, a listening ear, or an answered prayer. 

Prayer

Divine One, I lament my losses. As you met Joseph, please meet me. Help me to see your love and care for me and for us. Amen.

Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff, Executive Director

This Advent we explore how God meets us in the ordinariness and messiness of life. We continue with Mary and Elizabeth. 

Luke 1:39-45

“In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Reflection

Two women. Two miracles. One becomes pregnant in advancing years. The other becomes pregnant when single. One receives the long held desire of her heart. The other receives an unexpected blessing and favor from God. In their day, Mary’s story would be perceived as scandalous, and Elizabeth’s perhaps as humorous. The angel points Mary to her relative Elizabeth. He draws them together. Hope becomes enfleshed in community. These two women are knit together not just by blood, but by the gifts they have been given, hope through their relationship, and through who they carry within themselves. Through the gift of each other they are able to greater believe this miracle that has happened for both of them, and to embrace God’s delight in them.

Sometimes hope is hard to hang onto by ourselves. Sometimes it is hard to believe or receive God’s love for us.

Who is a person in your life who embodies hope, who reminds you who are as one beloved by God, and who is a reflection of God embodied in the flesh? 

Prayer

God, when I am overwhelmed, remind me of those in my path who reflect You to me. 

May I be someone who reflects You to all those in my path. Amen.

@2022, Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff, Executive Director

Opening

This Advent we explore how God meets us in the ordinariness and messiness of life. We wait with hope. We begin with Mary.

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-32

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.”

There is so much that is perplexing and heartbreaking in our lives and in the world around us. Fear seems to come so naturally to us. It can choke out our hope and peace. The troubles of this world and the worries in our lives are so often overwhelming. Climate Change, oppressive systems, health challenges, job changes, and loved ones lost, drain us of life and energy.  There has been so much, yet in the midst of it all, and in the midst of our fear, may we like Mary, await with hope. May we wait with the reminder that God sees us. God hears us.  God is with us. 

“Hope begins when you stand in the dark looking out at the light” 

(From the movie, “The Christmas Train.”)

Prayer

God of hope, awaken me to your presence with me, with us. Amen.

Our Embodied God

 

Opening

As we are present to this unimaginable good news, may it wholly permeate us.

 

Invitation

Compassionate God, open us to all the ways your love and presence come to us.

 

Reflection

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Read “Our Embodied God” a few times. Pause and reflect on a word or phrase where you are drawn.

 

Our Embodied God

Into the darkness of night, the light comes.

It expands and covers everything.

Love is born in the Christ child,

who enters our mess to be present to us:

in each of the places we find ourselves,

into our sorrow and grief,

our pain and our angst,

into our questions and our doubts,

and into our brokenness.

The joyful shouts cry out,

“Glory to God in the highest Heaven.”

They cry out to the God who sees us,

The God who hears us,

who comes embodied as one of us,

human and yet Divine.

Emmanuel, God with us,

lovingly walks beside us,

joyfully resides within us.

Glory Hallelujah to this

incarnated expression of love. Amen.

© 2021, Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff

Fourth Week of Advent

 

Opening

As the darkness deepens, the promise of light grows. Awaken us to your presence in this time and within us always.

 

Invitation

God of Hope, keep us attentive to you, leaning into you as we wait.

 

Reflection

Scripture Reading: Luke 1: 39-45

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Read “Leaning into Hope” a few times. Pause and reflect on a word or phrase where you are drawn.

 

Leaning into Hope

As the darkness extends,

we continue to wait for so much:

for peace in our world;

for an end to the virus

and a world without the necessity of masks;

for the ability to gather easily with loved ones;

for an end to racism and injustice;

for an end to all isms;

for sorrow to give birth to joy;

for our hearts to be comforted;

and our spirits lifted up;

to see more of You dear God;

lived out and expressed among your people.

Mary carried Hope within

as it was embodied in you

Elizabeth recognized it and gave expression to it.

So while we wait in Hope

we are met with the promise

that you come and meet us where we are.

While we wait in Hope

we are reminded

that sometimes you are carried and expressed

through those with skin on.

God of Hope,

may we be those people

who carry you and give expression to you

in all ways everyday.

And when we are weary from the journey,

may we like Elizabeth find ourselves

met by someone with skin on

who reflects you.

And like Mary, may we lean into you

for you too, are embodied in us.

© 2021, Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff

Third Week of Advent

 

Opening

As the darkness deepens, the promise of light grows. Awaken me to your presence in this time and within me always.

 

Invitation

God of Hope, keep me attentive to you, leaning into you as I wait.

 

Reflection

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:11,16

“And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”…John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Read Advent Invitation a few times. Pause and reflect on a word or phrase where you are drawn.

 

Advent Invitation

Source of Life,

This season throws us.

While the darkness deepens,

the waiting aches for more.

And yet,

It is within this aching, this grieving

that something is being born.

You invite us

to watch and wait,

to listen and follow you.

As we ask “what then shall we do?”

we wait for your answer.

We trust that as life begins

in the darkness of the womb

so your light grows in the darkness within and around us.

Therefore, we follow wherever you may lead,

even when it is hard to find our way,

for we know you lead us by the hand

towards the light that comes. Amen.

Second Week of Advent

Opening 

Source of Life, as I sit here I breathe deeply, aware of your presence within me. Awaken me to your presence in this time and within me always.

 

Invitation

God of Hope, I quietly pray your name as I enter this time.

 

Reflection

As we begin Advent, we may feel disconnected because of all we and the world have been through in the last year. There is so much we long for, for ourselves, our loved ones, the community, and the world. We bring all that with us to this season and to the One who holds us close. 

 

Scripture Reading

Luke 1:68,  78,79

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.By the tender mercy of our God,  the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

 

Read Advent Light through a few times. Pause and reflect on a word or phrase where you are drawn.

 

Advent Light

There are seasons when we strain our eyes

to see the light of your presence.

There are moments 

when the darkness encircles us 

and it seems like it is all we know.

When we struggle to glimpse the light

remind us that we are not alone

in the darkness,

but to look within

where you reside.

Train our unseeing eyes

for we carry the light of 

your presence within.  

And when we struggle still,

remind us 

that your tender mercy

ushers in the dawn

carrying with it your peace.

May it seep 

into the corners of our being.

And may it radiate through us

spilling out on those around us.

Amen.

 

First Week of Advent

Opening

Divine One,  as I sit here with you, quiet my swirling thoughts, as you calmed the sea. Soothe my aching heart. Help me to know the comfort of your presence at this time, as I seek you.

 

Invitation

Take a moment or two and breathe in God’s name, “Emmanuel.” Inhale “Em-ma” and exhale “nuel”  Do this for a moment or two.

 

Reflection

As we begin Advent, we may feel unconnected or disconnected because of all we and the world have been through in the last year. There is so much we long for, for ourselves, our loved ones, the community, and the world. We bring all that with us to this season and to the One who holds us close. 

 

Read Advent Longing through a few times. Pause and reflect on a word or phrase on where you are drawn.

 

Advent Longing

Loving One,

As we begin this season

We do so as those who are straining through the fog

To glimpse a light to illuminate our path.

We are weary and overwhelmed with all that has been.

We long for your presence 

To be experienced in tangible ways.

This Advent,

Awaken us to notice you within us and around us.

Enfold us in your compassionate embrace

and remind us that in you, we are home.

 

Prayer

Thank you loving God that you love and receive us as we are with all we bring. Remind us and center us in that we are so loved by you. May it fill us with hope and peace. Connect us to each other as living expressions of your love in the world around us. Amen.