Behold the God-Bearer

"Here we are, approaching the third Sunday of Advent, in the midst of a season of waiting, introspection, anticipation and longing. It is the pregnant pause, where we expectantly wait for God to break through with something new."

This was the beginning of my sermon one year ago, and most of you didn't hear it - I was preaching at Newark Valley UCC, so that the search committee could hear me preach before introducing me to all of you. For me, it was definitely a time of expectant longing and anticipation. For many of you, I imagine it was as well. At that time, I hoped that this year I would be spending Advent with you - and I could not be more happy to be living into that hope with you.

Yes, we're "living into" it, because we are always hoping that the world will be transformed, that our church will be renewed, and that our individual lives will be more fulfilling. We're seeing many things come to birth in our church, and we are, as a community, bearers of God to the world around us.

Individually, we are also God-bearers. The profound truth of the incarnation is not just that Mary gave birth to God-in-the-flesh in Jesus, but that each of us embodies God. Barbara Brown Taylor translates incarnation as "en-meat-ment" - we are the meat, the flesh and bones in which the Spirit - the Breath - of God dwells. And when we all come together in community, we have even more power in the flesh.

This Sunday is Music Sunday, we have the opportunity to experience one particular way of God-bearing, through musical voices and instruments. We'll add 4 new members to our congregation. And we'll pray together and worship together and be the Body of Christ together. When I see each of you, I look forward to saying, "Behold, the God-Bearer!" What new thing will God bring to birth in you this year?

Blessings and peace,

Manda

Texts for Sunday:
Psalm 97
Luke 1:26-56

Sabbath of Thanksgiving

This Sunday we begin our Christian new year with the advent of Advent. We are entering a season of waiting and watching, preparing our hearts to receive God's presence.

This week, the United States takes time out to celebrate Thanksgiving. Whatever our sordid history or troubled present, at our best, we are a people who give thanks and share our blessings. Yet how well do we really embody a spirit of thanksgiving this season? I myself am making my lists, spending time shopping and cleaning and cooking, preparing for guests (my parents are coming to town, and you'll get to meet them on Sunday!), and trying to get ahead on some work. I am determined to spend some time relaxing and enjoying my family, but I know it will be a challenge - how quickly things come up and stress takes over!


Every year the same drama plays out in our culture, from the frenzy of preparations, to the tired cleaning up and dealing with leftovers. And then comes Friday - "Black" Friday as it's often called - the day when everyone rushes to buy things they probably don't need, all because it seems to be a good deal. So we go from frantically preparing for a time of Thanksgiving, to a brief and sometimes stressful or lonely (depending on family dynamics) Thanksgiving day, right back to a focus on consuming - getting more, for a better deal, than we really needed in the first place.

And somewhere in there, we have lost the concept of Sabbath, a time to worship and be renewed, to just be and take in the blessings that surround us. In her article Black Friday and the Importance of Sabbath Rest, Danielle Tumminio writes, "Even though Black Friday is not on a Saturday or Sunday, it follows a period of heightened work and stress; it's a natural time for rest, and yet, it's a time in which rest is not encouraged. One at a time, we can change this culture. As God's children, it is our responsibility to find that rest for ourselves because without it, regardless of religious affiliation, we will psychologically dry up like turkey left too long in the oven."



So perhaps this year we can start Advent a bit early - every year we enter into the same drama, hearing the story of Christ's impending birth, allowing our hearts to sit with the anticipation and hope of a world transformed. And if, for you, this season is one of loneliness and heartache, you may know better than the rest of us what it means to long for a new world, where every tear will be dry and you will know the deep peace of God's presence. 


Wherever you find your hearts this season, will you accept the challenge and honor the Sabbath this week? As you sit around your tables and celebrate the Eucharist (Greek for Thanksgiving), let the moments linger and savor the gift of Sabbath. And I will do the same.

I wish you all Thanksgiving blessings, and I look forward to beginning the new year with you on Sunday.

In peace,
Manda

Texts for Sunday:

Psalm 98

Matthew 1:18-25