Second Sunday in Advent: LOVE
What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezek. 36:26
In the Bleak Midwinter of Planet Earth, Eternal Spring emerged through iron-hard earth, stony ice, snow on snow on snow. The frosty wind made moan… as did the virgin mother-to-be. Then, a new sound: the cry of The Baby pierced the darkness and signaled that the spell was broken. The Deep Magic of The Rebellion was to be overwhelmed by The Deeper Magic of The Incarnation.
Behold, the winter is past… (Song of Sol. 2:11)
Although in the extreme cold or heat or wind or rain, such an opinion seems folly, I really do like living in a temperate climate in which we have distinct seasons. Each season has its own qualities, its own beauties, its own harshness. Such keeps me looking ahead.
Our lives reflect or even embody the four seasons. We speak of the seasons of life wherein the vitality (or lack thereof) in the aging process moves from spring through summer then autumn into winter. Or we can view our spiritual lives – our soul’s health – as reflective of the seasons. The seasonal metaphor works, so powerfully portrayed in Christina Rosetti’s poem we sing today.
Rosetti asserts that the Mighty Christ arrives in the bleak midwinter into a world which can neither contain nor control him, yet the King’s heaven-and-earth shattering entrance is humble and vulnerable and so like the man he was to become. She needs to respond. So do we.
News & Announcements:
- Prayer gathering this Wednesday@ church @ 7:00.
- Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer Dec. – Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) Located on 5 West, this 56-bed unit serves cardiac and pulmonary patients. It is the post Critical Care Unit, particularly for post cardiac surgery patients.
- Attention Jr. High youth and their parents! We have spots reserved for you and your friends at the Jan. 20-22 ICE CAMP Weekend Retreat at Miracle Camp. We would love for any Jr. high students and their friends to join us! More details coming soon! Email Cary with questions.
- Calling young(er) couples (under 40 – no offense)! Hire a babysitter and join us for a potluck holiday meal at The Jake on Friday, Dec. 9th at 6:30pm! Bring a dish to pass and enjoy fellowship with other couples! RSVP to Cary.
- Be blessed in serving dinner @ Home Sweet Home Mission on December 22. We have been asked to provide eight servers as HSHM provides a Christmas dinner to their clients. Ask Cary for details.
- Summer in the USA! Lord-willing, we will once again host Basque students next summer. It’s time to start planning and praying, praying and planning. If you want to play a part, please let Bob V. know.
