Early in my ministry, I travelled to St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, to preside, with the local minister, over my grandfather’s funeral. In that beautiful tin-roofed church of my grandfather’s youth is a porcelain toilet that has never (and will never) be used. I asked the minister about it, and he explained that someone, like myself, came from afar. Seeing that there were no toilets, that person, with great effort—and I mean a lot of effort—paid for an expensive toilet to be shipped to the church. This person did not understand that not all buildings have indoor plumbing, and did not bother to ask (or perhaps listen).
Today this porcelain throne occupies the room that was once the minister’s study, and acts as a constant reminder of what can become of good intentions. “The helping hand strikes again,” the minister and I laughed.
Nobody intentionally gives golden thrones, but we should definitely be on alert, as this is the season when golden toilets can get figuratively filled (and/or shipped around the world) while 80s charity pop like “We are the World” and “Don’t They Know It’s Christmas Time” gently play in the background. Truthfully, most of us Jesus followers, myself included, are suckers for a good story and a good cause, because acts of love and kindness are natural ways to prepare for Love Incarnate, Jesus, among us. The problem is, sometimes our chosen acts of love serve ourselves more than they will ever serve others (or most importantly, ever serve God’s reign). My helping hand tends to unintentionally strike hardest when I am not in relationship with the people I am trying to help.
In this season of giving, our Christian calendar invites us to focus on God’s Reign, a reign that started (and will end) in loving, reciprocal relationships. A reign that will hopefully move us away from acts of love that unintentionally cause harm. A reign that will lead to unlikely friendships. And a reign that will lead to abundant life for all. What better way to extend Christ’s love than to be a good friend?
I am grateful that everyone in my family is OK after Hurricane Melissa ripped through the Carribean. But much of my family do not have roofs or electricity. Real reciprocal aid is needed in all places affected![]() —not porcelain toilets.
Well friends, sharing is caring, so here are some resources created with love, that the Advent Unwrapped team is excited to share with you.
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This month, join our conversation with Susan Lukey on how to celebrate the holiday season with young children and families.
It is time to prep those Advent calendars! We have a 2025 activity calendar to help everyone in your life engage with the season.
Don’t forget about our prayer zines—wonderful pocket resources to keep with you throughout the season. An instruction guide is included.
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Our new longest night service, “Making it Right: Reparation and Reconciliation” invites people to make space for areas in their life that are broken and in need of healing.
We have new weekly services for Advent. These services come with a new candle lighting liturgy, prayers, and sermon ideas for each week of Advent.
This is the year of Isaiah! Check out our short all ages video on the prophet Isaiah for use in worship, bible study, or church school.
Our Christmas pageant service is a lesson and carol style service based on the characters in the Christmas Story.
Next month, we will be back with some more resources, activities for the whole family, conversations on how to support mental wellness during the holidays, and some frequently asked questions.
If someone has shared this email with you (thanks!) you can subscribe to this newsletter.
If you have any ideas or suggestions for Advent Unwrapped, please join the conversation on social media or send us an email at worship@united-church.ca
Waiting (and resisting) with you,
Alydia
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