Advent Unwrapped: Happy New Year! ✨

Happy New Year! Instead of New Year’s resolutions, I give myself a theme that I would like to work with. This year I would like to learn more about generosity and to embody the psalmist prayer, as sung by Boney M: “let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight." I was raised to value generosity and sharing, to give my best at all times as an act of caring. I am a generous baker and a generous crafter. I will try anything once to make the best cookie or the perfect "crafterpiece," and I have tried some wild things... I once baked a hundred cupcakes to perfect a recipe for a gluten-free red velvet cupcake (one of the rejected cupcakes bounced better than a rubber ball). And I once shelled close to a thousand pistachios (don’t worry, they were all eaten) to find thirty shells that were exactly the same size. I shamelessly give my all in everything I make as an act of love. I do not show the same generosity in the things to which I have dedicated my vocation and professional training. I am not a generous musician (even though I have a degree in music); my anxieties around failure inhibit my musical expression. Likewise, I am not a generous preacher (even though I have two degrees in theology); my fear of inadequacy and irrelevance stops me from sharing all of "the meditations of my heart." I am not willing to take risks (or to look like a fool), yet. Most concerning, I am not a generous revolutionary (even though I have been following Jesus for over twenty years), and my fear of being consumed by the enormity of our task, besides the smallness of my part, often stops me from even getting started. I am holding back in each of these areas as if I have something to prove. But as we unwrapped Advent together this year, I noticed the amount of risk and vulnerability that each of the characters took. For instance, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph and Zachary had their doubts about raising John and Jesus, and yet Mary still chose to “sing the Lord’s song." The Magi followed a star into a strange land and then took a huge risk by defying Herod. Everyone in our Christmas story gave of themselves and in their own way, sang the Lord’s song in a strange land. This year, I am committed to reflecting on what that might look like for me and for us. In a year, check back with me, and we can unwrap a bit more and get closer to the wonder of Christmas! Until then, fellow revolutionaries, Alydia For the Last Time of the Season, In Case You Missed It... A friendly reminder that In God’s story, we all have a part (and no part is too small)!  Chalking the Door Legends say that over 2000 years ago the Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—travelled over a great distance. They followed a star the whole way and found baby Jesus. Chalking the door is an Epiphany house blessing ritual, a visible sign of our faith and a welcome to all who come through the door. It helps us to remember God is with us, always. Mark your door with the initials of the three Magi, and the numerals of the New Year connected by a series of crosses: 20 + C + M + B + 23 The C,M, and B also stand for the Latin prayer request, Christus Mansionem Benedicat, May Christ bless this house. Blessing Loving God, Bless all who come into our home May all who enter in come in peace May all who come in this door find welcome and love May peace and love fill our home and spread out into the community and the world.   [Image credit: Advent Unwrapped Colouring Book/The United Church of Canada] Epiphany Stories and Worship   Here are some Epiphany stories for you to read aloud or listen to! The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola,  Refuge by Anne Booth, and Three Wise Women by Mary Hoffman. We also have a new Epiphany Worship Service, Epiphany: A New Year, A New Vision by Rev. David Sparks, as well as a few other worship resources. Our Games to Play in Advent, can also be games to play during Epiphany!  And lastly....  A Prayer for Epiphany (when it comes) God is creating new paths and possibilities, as we prepare for where we are going. Christ is freeing us with newfound love and grace, as we learn from where we have been. The Spirit is revealing new dreams to guide us, as we start our journey home on a new path. We take courage in the assurance that God goes with us; we affirm our call to go where Christ leads; and we trust the Spirit to guide us through the challenging space between, where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. Surely, we are not alone. Thanks be to God.   Until Next Year... Planning for Advent Unwrapped 2023 begins in February! We'd love to hear from you. Please email me your ideas and suggestions for next year at worship@united-church.ca. For now, that's a wrap on Advent Unwrapped! Happy New Year! [Image credit: Canva] 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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