Sunday, December 16, 2012
Advent Reflections
Christian Formation Commission
Greetings!

Thank you for continuing to journey with us through the season of Advent.  You are now journeying together with  members of over 60 different congregations in multiple dioceses. Today we present the Gospel, in hopeful anticipation as we come  together in reflection and prayer with our home congregations,  that we may all  join our voices in praise as we await the joyful coming.

Christian Formation Commission

Scripture  

  

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor"; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'
  

And the crowds asked him, 'What then should we do?' In reply he said to them, 'Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.' Even tax-collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, 'Teacher, what should we do?' He said to them, 'Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.' Soldiers also asked him, 'And we, what should we do?' He said to them, 'Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.'

 

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, 'I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.'

 

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

 

         Luke 3:7-18
Reflection
 
God did not wait till the world was ready,
till...the nations were at peace.
God came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
 
God did not wait for the perfect time.
God came when the need was deep and great.
God dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.  God did not wait
 
till hearts were pure.  In joy God came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
God came, and God's light would not go out.
 
God came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
 
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
God came with Love:  Rejoice!  Rejoice!
 
Madeline L'Engle
 

The Christian Formation Commission invites you to explore these resources:

 
Join Our Mailing List