Service Sunday December 8, 2024
Second Sunday of Advent - Peace
Worship Leader: Debbie Sherwin LLWL
Music Director: Melissa Stephens, B. Mus., B. Ed., A. Mus.
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole service below.
Meditation Before Worship: “Consider Advent as an invitation…to liken it to a quiet encouragement to be still. But it requires that we give ourselves holy permission to put down all the things that we should be doing, and sit in the quiet moments.”
~ Rev. Vicki Kemper
The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOCUSING MOMENT: VU #374 v.1
(Remain seated)
Come and find the quiet centre in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed: clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
Acknowledgement of Land
We acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty 20 and Williams Treaties land. As we prepare for the birth of new light in a new season of our church year, we remember the pillars of life this birth means for our whole world and all people: hope, peace, joy, and love. May we live our lives moving gently in creation, listening, learning, and striving to be people of reconciliation.
THE APPROACH
HYMN: “O Come, Emmanuel --- Wherever You May Dwell” VU #1
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel
refresh us at your life-giving well.
All people long to feel your grace.
Pour out your Spirit on every place.
Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel,
Shall come to thee wherever you may dwell.
2 O come to us, our Everlasting Home.
Your people lost and broken, roam,
And seek a place of welcome and peace,
from war and violence, may they know release. Refrain
3 O come, Beloved, hear your people’s plea ---
the wounded soul, the homeless refugee.
May “welcome” be our own heart’s call,
Till there be room and justice for us all. Refrain
~ Words by Juanita Austin, Cup of Wine & a Piece of Bread. Used with permission.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF LAND: Unison
As we begin today, we acknowledge the history, spirituality, culture, and stewardship of the land of the Indigenous People of this region, most recently the Anishinaabe people. We seek to live in respect, peace, and right relations as we live, work and worship upon Traditional Territory. We are mindful of broken covenants and the need to strive to make right with all our relations.
Written by Cheryl Stenson, Glebe Road U.C., Toronto, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2021, p.25. Used with permission.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: Peace, in the midst of war. Peace, in the midst of conflict. Peace, when everything is going wrong. God offers peace.
ALL: We come seeking God’s peace. We come seeking to be made whole. We come seeking to be reconciled. We come from the four winds seeking God-With-Us.
One: Let us pray for Emmanuel, let us pray for the courage to be peaceful, let us pray for that peace that makes no sense to the world.
~ Written by Whitney Bruno, Little Current and Sheguiandah U.C., Little Current, Ont.
Gathering. Advent 2024, p.29. Used with permission.
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING LITANY:
FIRST ADVENT HYMN: “Hope Is a Star” VU #7 – verse 2
2 Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
On this second Sunday of Advent, we come in peace as a community of faith. We watch, we wait, we wonder. Let peace begin with us. In every breath we take, may we live in the peace of God’s promise to be with us always. We wait for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to come into the world. As we light the second candle in our wreath, we take a moment to breathe in the Spirit of peace.
(Take a breath, then light the candle.)
Let us pray:
God of peace, on this second Sunday of Advent, may you fill us with the peace that only you can bring. Help us to live each moment in peace with one another. Amen.
SECOND ADVENT HYMN: “A Candle is Burning” VU 6 – verse 2
2 A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
LEARNING TOGETHER
HYMN: “There’s a Voice in the Wilderness” VU #18
1 There's a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where God, our God, may go!
2 O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
get thee up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
Like the flowers of the field they perish,
like grass our works decay;
the power and pomp of nations
shall pass, like a dream, away.
3 But the word of our God endureth,
whose arm is ever strong;
God stands in the midst of nations,
and soon will right the wrong.
God shall feed the flock like a shepherd,
the lambs so gently hold;
to pastures of peace will lead them,
and bring them safe to fold.
4 There's a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where God, our God, may go!
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:1 - 6
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“People Look East”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and a Paraphrase of
THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU #916)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be. Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER: In Unison
Loving God, in this Advent season, we bring our offerings with hearts open to your call. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, may our gifts help prepare the way for your kin-dom. Use these offerings to bring hope, justice, and transformation. Help us to look beyond the surface, to see your work in surprising places and people. Bless our giving, that it may shine with your presence. Amen.
SUNG BLESSING: (MV #221)
I am walking a path of peace,
I am walking a path of peace,
I am walking a path of peace,
lead me home, lead me home.
.
SENDING FORTH:
One: Renewed by the vision of God’s way and refreshed by the companionship of community, we take up the call to go in a new direction. Let us live the inclusive love of God, gift all with the peace of Christ, and do the Great Work of Spirit. Wherever you go, strive to leave footprints of love, kindness, and peace.
ALL: Amen!
A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748,
Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Debbie’s message
MESSAGE: 'PEOPLE LOOK EAST' Luke 3: 1 - 6
Advent is a season of mixed messages: from apocalyptic ones to "peace on earth"
and"a child is born." In today's lectionary passages, the prophets appear. We hear
their voices calling us back to God's standards, reminding us to cherish the Earth,
to think about our global responsibilities, our values, and our real priorities.
The gospel readings for the Second and Third Sundays of Advent have for
centuries been dedicated to John the Baptist as the one who prepares the way for
Christ to come, reminding us that Advent is not simply a time of preparing for
Christmas. We hear the challenging words of John the Baptist calling for a
different kind of preparation, and in doing so, he makes us uncomfortable. In
today's lesson, we hear the familiar words: '6the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness" telling us to "prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight." (Luke 3:4)
The first three verses of the passage contain a list of names, and we may wonder
why it's even necessary to mention. Mary Austin, a Presbyterian pastoE writes that,
'ol,uke carefully locates John the Baptist in time, moving down through the
line of rulers from the most powerful to the lesser powers." (Dtqqiplines.A
Book of Dail
Devotions
page 406.)
It's important for Luke to tell the names. Even though some of them are difficult to
pronounce, it's important to say the names, for these names tie God to history.
Mary Austin continues: "The word of God comes zipping into the world, and
passes right by all the significant people and comes to John, a relative nobody.
The important people are all silent in Luke's telling, and John, the messenger
of God, comes to announce it. Watch out, Luke says; the word of God is on the
move, going where you least expect it.'(Ibid, p. a06)
We hear John's voice calling from the wilderness. Brend Brown describes the
wilderness as o'an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching. It
turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it's the bravest and most
sacred place in which you will ever stand.o'
This is where we find John...in the middle of nowhere...nowhere near a church,
which theologian, Barbara Brown Taylor emphasizes. Anyone who wanted to hear
what John had to say, would have had to go to a lot of trouble to get there. There
was no Uber to call, no subway or bus to hop onto, no Air B&B to book a night. If
one were travelling from Jerusalem, the pilgrimage was more than likely made on
1.
the back of a donkey, or it was a several days'walk, carrying water and food, with
the hope that one wouldn't meet up with bandits along the way. Only those who
were willing to enter the wilderness, heard John's message.
In this worn and weary world, how many of us need a word of peace and comfort,
especially at this time of year? In those biblical times, people needed the same, and
they flocked to the wilderness to hear what John had to say.
We remember the decades when people of all agesflocked to our churches. Those
were the days when a new church was opening weekly. Today, one or two churches
are closing weekly.
Yet our society is plagued with loneliness and the need for the healing power of
connection. Loneliness has been described as a public health epidemic with an
increased mortality risk that has outpaced that of smoking!
dri. UdU.rt-Daly,Executive Minister of ECORC, asks us to consider: "What if
there was a place for deeper connections? As a church, are we being called to
offer them something that meets their need? We lament the lack of young
people in our churches, yet we know that they are spiritually hungry. They are
looking for meaning and purpose. In many cases, they don't know what to do
with the loss of loved ones. Have we forgotten how to meet their needso instead
of ours? If Sunday morning isn't meeting their needs, why aren't we offering
something that does?"
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the
middle of nowhere? you find yourself, for God appears in the most unlikely places:
sometimes on a mountaintop, often in the valleys of life, and definitely right here
in the here and now. John challenges them/us to wake up, to turn around, so
they/we wouldn't miss the new thing God was doing right before our eyes. But
many of us miss the message, when we're not paying attention, or are distracted on
our phones. Only those who were willing to enter the wilderness got to hear the
message, and got a taste of what he really meant.
John challenges us to change our hearts, minds, and lives --- for he insists that the
days of peace and freedom are truly coming! Those of us of a certain vintage
remember the voices of the Beatles singing, 6(4Il we are saying is give peace a
chanceo" and John Lennon singing, o'Imagine all the people livin'life in peace.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll
join us, and the world will be as oneo" and we wonder how long is that going to
2
take to happen. Norma Wible commented on a Facebook post the other day, saying
"Peace is what we all want, but how to achieve it is the million-dollar question.
I wish we had answers, but in Gaza, as in Ukraine, the turmoil continues, and
things don't seem to change, because people aren't thinking differently."
There's plenty of wildemess in our lives this Advent. Episcopal priest, Fleming
Rutledge, reminds us that 6'Advent begins in the dark. It's not a season for the
faint of heart." We sit in the darkness longing for the light. Despair and
hopelessness have set in for many of us with the election results south of the
border, with the political upheaval around the world, with persistent poverty,
racism, increasing numbers of people who are unhoused, with many living in
encampments in this weather, and with so many of our neighbours dependent on
food banks, it is really hard to anticipate God's coming.
But be assured that God is on the move, coming into the world where we
are...coming to everyone of us: exhausted teachers and nurses, weary commuters,
retail and restaurant workers juggling several part-time jobs "to make ends meet,"
worried grandparents, sleepless parents...coming to all of us in the middle of our
own wilderness.
Nevertheless, John insists that we "Make way! Remove the obstacles!" When
some people heard John, they remembered the words from the prophet Isaiah,
spoken many years prior: '6Make a straight path for him to travel! Every valley
must be filled up, elrery hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must
be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth." (w. 4-6 GNT)
Nothing must be allowed to impede or delay the coming of God. There are
mountains that need to come down --- mountains of racism, sexism, ageism...any
"ism" that blocks our way to healthy connections with one another and with God.
We need to ask ourselves what rubble is in the way of experiencing and receiving
the truth? More than eveE we are being called to be critical thinkers, to fact check
the lies and misinformation, and hold those to account, when they believe that we
can'thandle the truth!
There are valleys to be filled --- loneliness, despair, grief, and pain that keep us
from enjoying our connections with beloved community.
There are crooked places to be made straight --- abuse, neglect, and violence.
3
There are rough places to be made smooth --- rough places that have occurred
because of oppression and injustice.
We need to realize that the old way of doing things is dying. Something new is
asking to be born. The world is in the place of a painful labor and birth pangs.
Something big is asking to be born. We're getting ready to give birth to a new
world of love, hope, and truth.
Rev. Dr. Amy Butler assures us that o'.When we live through a time like we have,
the collective consciousness shifts. People will rise up together to fight for the
common good, to be good neighbours, to embody the values of kindness and
compassion...to insist that there is indeed another way.o'
Each of us is being called to act in new ways to care for one another and all of
creation in a new way. Transformation is happening all around us! Consider the
actions of the South Korean people this week when they rose up to protect
democracy in their country. They succeeded in bringing down martial law.
Consider the effort made to clear the way on Highway 11, so that all could travel
safely again. Pay attention to the Good Samaritans who are there to help their
neighbours.
ooThe good news is always beginning somewhere in the world, for those with
ears to hear and hearts to go wherever the way may lead." (Barbara Brown
Taylor,
Home
Another
page 14)
May it continue to be so. Amen.
4
HYMN: “People, Look East” VU #9
1 People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the guest is on the way.
2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
one more seed is planted there:
give up your strength the seed to nourish,
that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the rose is on the way.
3 Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
guard the nest that must be filled;
even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the bird is on the way.
4 Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the star is on the way.
5 Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Lord is on the way.
Call to Worship:
One: Hope, in the midst of fear. Hope in the midst of sorrow. Hope, when it seems hopeless. God offers hope.
ALL: We come seeking that hope. We come seeking a new dream. We come from the four winds seeking God-with-Us.
One: Let us pray for Emmanuel, let us pray for the insight, let us pray for that promised hope.
Written by Whitney Bruno, Little Current and Sheguiandah U.C., Little Current, Ont.
Gathering, Advent 2024, p.29. Used with permission.
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING LITANY:
First Advent Hymn: “Hope Is a Star” VU #7 – verse 1
1 Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
One: On this first Sunday of Advent, we come with hope as a community of faith.
ALL: We watch, we wait, we wonder.
One: We come in hope for God’s promise to bring light to this world.
ALL: We wait in hope for the coming of Jesus, the Christ child.
One: As we light the first candle in our wreath, we take a moment to breathe in the Spirit of hope.
(take a breath, then light the candle.)
Let us pray:
God of hope, on this first Sunday of Advent, fill us with hope for the world and for the church, knowing that Jesus, the Christ child, brings the light of hope. Amen
Second Advent Hymn: “A Candle Is Burning” VU #6 – verse 1
1 A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December's dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC
THE WORD
Scripture: Luke 21:25-36
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“A Poem - The Christmas Coat”
Listen to an audio recording of the message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE
COMMUNION HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VU #1 v1&4
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lowly exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4 O come, O Rod of Jesse's stem,
from every foe deliver them
that trust your mighty power to save,
and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We are waiting, for wrapped boxes to appear beneath lighted trees, for the day to finally arrive when the fancy paper can be ripped from those neatly wrapped presents to discover the gift that is waiting for us. We are waiting, for hope to become a reality, for peace to find anchor in places of violence, for joy to blossom like flowers appearing in the snow, for love in all its forms to unashamedly show itself even in the midst of scorn. We are waiting, for the miracle of life born unto us to kindle the thrill of hope that this weary world most desperately needs. We are waiting, for the babe in swaddling clothes to be the embodiment of hope, peace, joy, and love, that babe in swaddling clothes lying in a borrowed cow trough who is Jesus, the thrill of hope for a weary world.
As Jesus became a man, he never forgot his humble beginning, he never shunned the children, but said, “Let the children come to me.” One child of God inviting all people young and old to discover their worth and their place at the table. Everyone is invited. Yes, you are really invited, for we are all children of God.
One child of God is inviting all children and all adults to discover their worth and their place at the table. Jesus made it a habit to eat with sex workers, tax collectors, skeptics, fisher folks, refugees, those left outside knocking at doors, and even those banished for refusing to give up their true identity.
One child of God is inviting all children and all adults to discover their worth and their place at the table. Everyone is invited, for we are all children of God. This is the table where all are welcome.
Believing that Jesus lives among us, we remember Jesus gathered with his friends for supper on the night before he died. Among those friends were one who would doubt him, one who would deny him, one who would betray him, and every one of them would leave him all alone before the night was over. And he knew it.
Still, he sat down and ate with them. If he was ready to eat with them, he’s ready to eat with you: baptized or not, confessed or not, perfect or not, sure or not, saint or sinner or a little of both, all you have to be at this table is hungry.
At this table, we remember that Jesus said, “Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.” Then, Jesus took a cup, saying, “Drink. This cup is the promise of God, made in my blood. Each time you drink from this cup, remember me.”
Written by Kelly Sprinkle, Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, Fairport, N.Y.
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 74-75. Used with permission.
Communion
Prayer after Communion – In Unison
O God, thank you for the gift of nourishment and life. Just as Jesus invited children, let us, too, invite all humanity to the feast of life. So now, give us the courage and stamina to labour together so that everyone will know that this year, and not in some far-off, distant future, everyone alive will no longer live in fear, hunger, or humiliation, because Love-Embodied reigns and the time is now. Amen.
Written by Kelly Sprinkel, Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, Fairport, N.Y.
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 75. Used with permission.
COMMUNION HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” VU #1 v6-7
6 O come, O Dayspring, from on high,
and cheer us by your drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
and be for us the Prince of Peace. Refrain
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (sung VU #960)
HYMN: “Forth In Your Name” VU #416
1 Forth in your name, O Christ, we go, our daily labour to pursue,
you, only you, resolved to know in all we think, or speak, or do.
2 The task your wisdom has assigned here let us cheerfully fulfil;
in all our works your presence find, and prove your good and perfect will.
3 You may we set at our right hand, whose eyes our inmost secrets view,
and labour on at your command and offer all our works to you.
4 Help us to bear your easy yoke, in every moment watch and pray,
and still to things eternal look, and hasten to that glorious day.
5 Then with delight may we employ all that your bounteous grace has given,
and run our earthly course with joy, and closely walk with you to heaven.
AFFIRMING MOMENT
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
Spirited God, your gift of hope comes to us through the advent of the Christ child. We offer these gifts back to you as signs of hope: hope that nestles into your loving presence, hope that these donations help turn the world upside down, hope that trusts in your promise of transformation, hope that opens us to strangers, to neighbours, to enemies, and to friends. Bless our journey on the Way of Jesus. Amen. Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, First Lutheran,; R:ugby and Leeds, North Dakota
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 33. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: (MV #220)
Hope shines as the solitary star.
Faith is the inner light.
You and I together mirror the Light of Lights,
and illumine the pathway home. ©
Sending Forth:
One: The Advent season is a time of leaning into the wonder of the coming again of the Christ child. So, we wait with eagerness. Over the coming week, may others know through us the true meaning of the season. May the love of God embrace you, the tenderness of Christ enfold you, and the delight of the Holy Spirit fill you, this day and forevermore.
ALL: Amen!
Written by Laura J. Turnbull, Penticton, B.C.
Gathering, Advent, 2024, p.34. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 1st December 2024
“A Poem - The Christmas Coat”
Luke 21:25-36
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
Did anyone get any good Black Friday deals?
On-line shopping is a little different this year with the Canada Postal Workers on strike!
I have been so busy shoveling, I haven’t even put up the Christmas decorations yet, other than the outdoor lights.
I’m sure glad I got them up shortly after Remembrance Day because it would be a lot trickier now getting through the snow!
It must be a struggle for businesses this year trying to sell their merchandise between the snow and the mail not moving.
In the spirit of commercialism, I was inspired by this poem this week and I thought I would share it with you.
It is entitled, “The Christmas Coat”
It came to me in the form of an email but I was unable to find out who the author was.
I hope you enjoy it too.
An old boy was fumblin around one day
In a women’s clothing store
He’d found his wife a Christmas coat
And was headed for the door
When he bumped into a little boy
That looked like he was lost
And he said “Mister can you help me find out how much something costs?
Here it is almost Christmas
And the nights are gettin cold
Winter time is on us
And my mom don’t have a coat
I’ve been workin for the neighbours
And saving for a time”
And in his tiny outstretched hand
Was a dollar and a dime
His gaze went from that big eyed boy
To that pretty Christmas coat
And he finally cleared away the lump that had gathered in his throat
He said “Son
that’s just what this coat costs
We’re lucky that we found ‘er”
And he turned around and gave a wink to the lady at the counter
She put it in a pretty box
And wrapped it up just so
And went off in the back
And found a big red Christmas bow
He said “ I thank you for your help sir
And I kindly thank you ma’am
I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas
Cause now I know I am”
Well the old boy walked home busted
Except for the dollar and the dime
Thinkin he’d just have to buy
The coat another time
He told his wife that Christmas this year wouldn’t be much fun
And he gently took her in his arms and told her what he’d done
She said “ why you old softie
I wouldn’t trade you for a farm
I’ve got two or three old coats
And your love to keep me warm”
She put that money in a matchbox
And placed it beneath their tree
And said “that is the grandest gift
You’ve ever given me”
The years went by like years will do when people are in love
Their marriage was a golden bond that was forged by God above
Then one day came some bitter news that filled his heart with fright
The doctor told the old man’s wife that she was going to lose her sight
He said “there’s an operation we can do but it puts me on the spot
Cause it’s a quite complex procedure and it’s going to cost a lot”
The old man said “doctor I’m a failure
I’ve made no preparation
We don’t have the money for that kind of an operation”
The doctor got the strangest look and he sat there for a while
And then he slowly nodded and he broke out in a smile
He said “Why sir you can’t fool me.
You’re a very wealthy man.
You long ago invested in the world’s best savings plan.
I’ll see she gets the best of care;
She’s going to be just fine and the total cost to you old friend is a dollar and a dime”
The old man stared in disbelief
Then he recognized that smile.
The one he’d seen those years ago on a loving thoughtful child
He said “what you gave to me that day was more than just a coat.
You gave me the gift of giving and you gave my mother hope.
My mother had been mistreated, neglected and abused
but she gave life just one more chance and it was all because of you.
Now every year she takes that coat and lays it beneath our tree.
It represents to us the things that Christmas ought to be.
She says that when we leave this world for a better home someday,
The only things that we’ll take with us are the things we gave away”
I hope this message of hope fills your heart with the Spirit of Christmas this season as we begin to celebrate Christ birth once again.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
