First Sunday of Advent - Choosing to Notice - November 28,2021

Bible Study “First Sunday of Advent – Choosing to Notice”

Share:  Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.

Our Church Year begins today with the First Sunday of Advent. Using the Gospel according to Luke as our primary guide, we will journey through the heights and depths of the liturgical year. We begin in Advent by preparing for a coming that has already come and will come again. The explosive joy of Christmas sends us out into the seven weeks of Epiphany to show the world the Good News we are receiving.

Advent extends an invitation. The invitation: don't just do something – stand, watch, prepare. Stand. Choose to believe that ours is a safe universe – a universe God chose to enter as an infant. Watch. Look for a coming that has already come and will come again. Prepare. Snatch moments from our busyness. Watching for wisps of awe and wonder to show up. Rediscover that God has chosen to dwell in us and we are invited to dwell in God.

What if – just what if – Jesus is already right here, standing silently with us, walking ahead of us, showing us we don't have to do it all? Could it be that we are called to be still, notice, listen – and then follow?

Advent Theme: Christ will come again: We watch, we prepare, We get ready.

 

Opening Prayer:  Thank you, God, that we have seasons in our church life. Help us to be alert to the signs you send us. Amen. 

This passage occurs near the end of Luke's story of Jesus' life here on our earth. People are delighting in their fancy temple and not focusing on the things Jesus has been teaching them.  Jesus realizes he does not have much time left in which to get their attention and he apparently is pretty sure that ‘time’ as they knew it was coming to an end.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 21: 25-36 and read or read the scriptures below. 

Luke 21: 25-36  

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Reflection Questions:

  • What signs Jesus says to look for? (verse 25)
  • What is the hopeful sign Jesus promises? (verse 27)
  • Think of times in our worship service we claim this promise? (The Creed, for example, and at the Eucharist when we say: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.)
  • What "signs" is Jesus telling the people they know about here? (How to tell when summer is near)
  • What might help us believe "the kingdom of God is near." (Our worshipping community, the Eucharist, the outreach activities we are engaged in.)
  • How would we define "be alert?" (Not zoning out - paying attention, noticing, etc.)
  • What kinds of things weigh us down and "catch" us unexpectedly?
  • What things help us stay "alert" and not bogged down in discouragement?

"Pretend" that Jesus is here – for the first time – in our town and giving this talk. What examples might he use? What might he mention, instead of The Temple? What temptations might he describe – that were not around 2000 years ago.

 

Click here for the young learner’s lesson

 

Videos (Click on the words or url)

English SN Luke 21:1-36 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-BND3Tupjw

Luke 21:25-33// The Coming Son of Man & The Lesson of Fig Tree // /Advent 1 (Year C) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9t1yzTBC7U

Advent, The Meaning of Advent Wreath -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41AzWC1w6Fw

 

Activities:

Map of the Church Year: Click on the “Map of the Church Year” to see how the church calendar by color and timing plays out for us this year.

Christmas CalendarClick on Christmas Calendar to find out what activities are happening each day.

Advent Wreath - The Advent wreath is a wreath, or circle, of evergreens, made in various sizes. It is placed on a table. The devotion is usually incorporated during the family meal, or during family night prayers. Fastened to the wreath are four candles standing upright, at equal distances. These candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Three of the candles are purple, reminding us of the penitential nature of the season. A rose or pink candle is lit for the Third Sunday of Advent.  The wreath should be in a circle, a symbol of eternity, and a reminder that God has no beginning nor end. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life and a reminder that God is immutable or unchangeable.  The first candle is hope or prophesy, second candle is Peace or Bethlehem, third candle (pink) is Joy or Shepherds, fourth candle is Love or Angels and fifth candle (white) is the Christ candle.

 

                       https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/pictures/advent-wreath-greens.jpg

Directions

There are five elements to the wreath: 1) Base, 2) candleholders, 3) greens and 4) candles and decoration. Your wreath can either be live or permanent. Below are several different ideas for each element, so you can create a wreath of your own.

1.  The Base:  Styrofoam, straw, or some other type of wreath form At any craft store you can find a variety of wreath forms available in different materials. Styrofoam is the most readily available and the least expensive. There are also straw forms, either wrapped in plastic or wire bound to keep the straw from falling out. Any of these forms do not provide any moisture for the live evergreens. Unless you are using permanent greens, expect to either change the greens every so often, or have a very dead wreath by Christmas!

2.  Candleholders:  These are usually inexpensive plastic green holders, available at any craft or garden store or florist shop. If using foam or moss type form, these can be inserted directly into the form. Otherwise, these need to be securely fastened to the wreath with florist wire or hot glue. 

There are such a large variety of candles and candle holders available in almost every store. There might be different types of attractive holders that could be attached to a wreath form. Just make sure you get something that will hold the candle and prevent the flame from coming too close to the evergreens.

3. Greens:  When using foam, you can have small twigs or leaves and attach them to florist pics and insert throughout, or if the branches or leaves are sturdy enough, insert them without pics.  When using artificial garland. Measure the garland around the form, and cut the garland just a little longer than the ring. Attach the garland around the wreath form with florist wire. Shape the branches around to hide the form.

4. Candles:  The candles are tall taper candles, 3 purple or violet and 1 pink and white. These can be found almost anywhere.

Decoder – Are you Ready - https://sermons4kids.com/are_you_ready_decoder.htm?fromSermonId=568

Word Search: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3046603/advent-choosing-to-notice/

                                                       

Prayer:  God, as we begin this new year in the church, help us to be alert to the signs you put before us – signs that you love us and are in this with us. Amen.