Advent Unwrapped: Christmas is Almost Here! ✨

I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmas Time is Here!) The Old 97’s have gifted me with an ear worm, that I am sharing with you: “Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho! Earthlings are so weird. I don’t know what Christmas is, but Christmas time is here!” from the song “I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmas Time Is Here)” (from the Guardian’s of the Galaxy Christmas Special). On Sunday, Christmas time is officially here, revolutionaries. To be honest, I don't know what Christmas is, and I went to seminary! According to a hundred Christmas specials, Christmas is a time of giving. Giving to loved ones, giving back to the community, and for Christians sharing some of the abundances that The Giver shares with us. While giving is important and one of the things I love about Christmas, I do not think that giving is what Christmas is. Even though I am continually unwrapping the significance of Christmas, I can still say what Christmas means for me (knowing that it will evolve and grow with me). Today, Christmas is deciding to join a woman, Mary, who is committed to overturning the unjust world that she knows by helping to raise a child, Jesus, who will teach us all another revolutionary way. It’s about following Joseph by trusting and supporting God working through others. And it’s about committing to being a disciple of their son, Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us. I trust that more will be revealed in time as we continue to grow in the mystery of our faith together. Thank you for sticking with us as we unwrap the wonder of the season together. Merry Christmas (when it comes), and I will catch you next week, Alydia School is Out Today! We Have Tons of Ideas and Resources for All-Ages:   The 12 Books of Christmas Consider reading (or listening to) a different story every day as a way to move towards Epiphany (book ideas can be found in our Christmas Gift Book list. I have included some read-aloud books below or check out First United Methodist Church who have a large Christmas Stories Read Aloud playlist. Some highlights (and some not included) Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto  Tree of Cranes by Allen Say  Who Built the Stable? by Ashley Bryan    Advent Unwrapped Colouring Storybook   Colour our Advent Unwrapped Colouring Storybook and then make your own video to retell the Christmas story. Add one of our Family Prayers and Blessings or Body Prayers to your daily routine.   Don’t Forget About our Story and Activity Cards Thirty-two pages of crafts, activities and stories (there is even a recipe for Bugs’n’Honey—let me know if you have tried it!) And on Christmas Day, if you aren’t able to make it to church practice The Hours of Christmas Day by setting aside three or four specific times to pray (perhaps at meals) using this resources provided by Prayer Bench and The United Church of Canada.  [Image one: Canva] [Image two: The United Church of Canada] And Lastly, In Case You Missed It... Enjoy all the latest Advent blog posts from the Rev. Maria Christina Conlon, and the Rev. Richard C. Choe. Visit our Advent Unwrapped page and scroll to the bottom for the entire collection. The Rev. Lindsay spends some time on "beauty" in this weeks Sermon Seed focusing on Isaiah 52: 7-10.  And finally, don't forget we have two full services to help you in your worship planning: our Christmas Eve service (with Communion) and our Blue Christmas Service. [Image credit: Art by the Rev. Maria Christina Conlon] Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn   Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church.

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