Advent Unwrapped: What is Love?

Advent Unwrapped-December 22, 2023     View this email in your browser

I know this 90s dance hit and pop culture staple by Haddaway does not fit into the category of Christmas music, but I always find myself head bopping to it at this time of year, when everyone is always talking about love, love, love. I can’t help but ask myself, “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me.” I love the sarcasm that drips from this song; whatever love is, Haddaway implies, it is not hurt (and it is not whatever his baby is doing). I love this, because it is a reminder that love is not just a feeling, it is an action. Love is a combination of many actions, as Bell Hooks says, that strive not to harm, and to bring out the very best in others. Love is action. Actions that will bring about God’s dream of a better world for all. Imagine that God trusted people to love baby Jesus. Many did not show up for him (like those who would leave a pregnant woman to give birth in a barn or cause a young family to flee to Egypt), but others, like Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, the shepherds, the cosmos, and the Magi did. They loved baby Jesus, and treated him with dignity and respect even though society told them otherwise, and he grew up to be Jesus Christ, Superstar. God comes to us as a baby, and ideally, we come to each other in a similar way. No matter if we have been here for 70 years, 70 days, or 70 minutes, to God we are all beloved, precious children, fresh and full of possibilities. God knows we all need love to grow into our potential, as people, as a society, and as the Earth community. We are entrusted to share that love and dignity with each other, as the loving people in the Christmas story did. Our acts of love, dignity and respect, might not feel revolutionary, but we all know that a gentle voice and a warm hug is incomparable to nothing. Acts of genuine love are immeasurable. May we be the love generation.

This Week’s Round-up: New Videos, and more! I saw somewhere a meme that says the heart icon is not meant to look like a heart, but two hearts put together! What a fitting reminder, that love, like the Christmas story needs us all. What is Love? Maybe love is like new life, that needs us all to grow. Don’t miss A Christmas Candlelight Worship, an easy to use at-home liturgy for Christmas Day from our Advent Guide. Advent Blogs of The Week     For many, today is the start of your Christmas Break! Ever wonder why we get a holiday? Stephen has the answer in this week's blog. Plus, check out the Joy and Love themed Microblog contributions from Sarah Yang, Michael Lee, and Mini Choi on our Facebook page.  Have you been using the prayers by Catherine Faith MacLean this advent? In case you missed them, you can find them on the website, on social media and in the Pocket Prayers for Advent zine. Shout Outs!   There are so many amazing poets and lyricist within our church! A special thanks to Wendy MacLean, a long time contributor to gathering, who has gifted the church with her inspiring and thoughtful words. Here is a poem and reflection that she wrote a few years ago, Journey to the Manger. Penny Nelson and Michelle Johnson-Armstrong shared this prayer that they will be using at their child-centered Christmas Eve service. Thanks for sharing Penny and Michelle! God of shadows, God of light Come be with us in this night. Bless the gifts we give today, Let them help us live your way! We find your baby in the hay, With songs of joy we sing “hooray!” We tell your story of way back when, We love you, Jesus! Thank you! Amen!    —Michelle Johnson-Armstrong, St. Paul's United Church, Fredericton NB & Penny Nelson, Avon United Church, Hantsport, NS To Consider     This year please consider not lighting the peace candle and to instead have a moment of silence as we pray together with Christians in the Middle East for peace. To Try   My son loved making this super easy craft that we use to decorate the trees that we love outside. Simply take a clear plastic Christmas bulb ornament, screw off the top, and pour in a beautiful mixture of tempera paints and glitter (or left-over shiny things), and swirl it around until the inside is entirely coated. Leave it to dry on some newspaper, allowing the excess paint to leak out. To make a layered affect, do one colour and let it dry before you add the next. You can also paint a pattern and let it dry before adding the additional colours. Because the paint is on the inside, these ornaments will do great in many environments (one of ours was also used as an emergency hockey puck, and it still looks great)! In anticipation, Alydia P.S Remember sharing means caring! If this email has been forwarded to you by a loving friend, family member or neighbour please sign-up for our weekly Advent newsletter. You may also want to follow us on on our Facebook page, where you can share links to resources, ideas and inspirations that have worked for you. 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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