Advent Unwrapped: I Wish It Was Christmas Today!✨

I Wish It Was Christmas Today! I wish it was Christmas today! I am joking, I am not ready at all for Christmas, and the fact that it is nine sleeps away is causing me great stress. This song from Saturday Night Live always makes me smile though, because it reminds me of us. I imagine that we are in this little holiday band together, helping each other prepare for Christ’s arrival. Some of us might be the embodiment of Tracy Morgan (far right), committed to spreading the Christmas Spirit with our grumpy, tired and stressed selves. The Chris Kattans (second from right) are literally holding things together and propping people up. The Jimmy Fallons (second from left) are "the little drummer boys" of us, generously and fearlessly giving their all. And all support the Horatio Sanz’ (far left) of us who are bursting with endless energy and holiday cheer. (God Bless him, I’m not quite there yet.) In truth, most of us Advent Unwrappers are probably the directors behind the scenes who create the space for everyone in the band to be themselves. God Bless you, and thank you for the counter-cultural act of holding space for the entire spectrum of emotions that are experienced this time of year. So revolutionaries, with the enthusiasm of Horatio, the passion of Jimmy, the steadfastness of Chris and the commitment of Tracy, I wish you, my bandmates, all the best in these upcoming days (We don’t need to look busy. Jesus is coming!). [Image credit: Canva] Here is What’s New (Or Perhaps New To You) This Week There is an old tradition of spending the last seven days leading up to Christmas with the O Antiphons (the seven scriptural names for Jesus), by praying these names for Jesus each day in spiritual preparation for his arrival. Check out our Watching and Waiting Daily Ritual Based on the O Antiphons. And don’t forget our re-take on O Come, O Come Emmanuel, along with the lyrics.   Worship Services   We also have two full services that may help in these next seven days: our Christmas Eve service (with Communion) and our Blue Christmas Service. Use these Blue Christmas Posters to share your own service amongst your community of faith. [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] Advent Music   If you are looking for music, don’t forget about our longest night service from last year and this year’s music video The Giver. [Image credit: Canva] Ecumenical Advent Series Running out of sermon ideas? Catch some inspiration from the Ecumenical Advent Series: Part 1: Signs of the Times  Part 2: Finding the Good Path  Part 3: God's Love Includes Everyone Part 4: Coming Soon! [Image credit: Tom Threndyle] Sermon Seeds This weeks Sermon Seeds is Ask a Sign, a reflection based on Isaiah 7:10-16. Advent Blogs Grab a cup of tea and take a moment to reflect on Joy with the Rev. Conlon and the Rev. Choe.  [Image credit: Sip of Tea art by Maria Christina Conlon, and The Flower Photo by Richard Choe] Waiting With You...   And lastly, did you catch this fun video in our daily prayers about the one that we are waiting for. Faithfully waiting with you, Alydia   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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