Luke 2:8-20

The day has arrived. Angels proclaim, “Glory to God!” Shepherds praise God! Mary treasures all these things in her heart. And for us, with all of our preparations, with all of our planning, the day has still arrived somewhat unexpected and still mysterious.

I often ask “Where did you see God?” And the only thing the varied answers have in common is that God always arrives unexpectedly. As unexpectedly as a baby in a manger, God is showing up throughout God’s creation in unexpected ways. I encourage you to look with keen eyes for God today. God is showing up.

The mystery of our unexpected God who shows up is not so much HOW but WHY? Why does God come for us and to us? Why is God willing to come vulnerable as a baby? Love. Love is the answer and content of the mystery. 

I pray that these days of Advent and Christmas have been, and will continue to be filled with unexpected and mysterious encounters with the God who loves us.

On behalf of the entire St. John’s Staff, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Rev. Scot Sorensen, Senior Pastor

Luke 2:1-7

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, 
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; 
the stars in the bright sky look down where he lay, 
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Our children’s choirs have been learning “Away in a Manger” this year, and during one of their rehearsals an exchange between the children struck me. Candace Costa, our Children’s Choir Director, was asking the youngest children what they remembered about the Christmas story -- “Who is the mother? Who is the baby?” And I suddenly realized that I can’t remember ever not knowing the Christmas story. I grew up in a home that celebrated Christmas and was surrounded by great people of faith: my mother, my grandparents, members of my congregation.

I hope that sometime today you take a moment to tell the story. Tell a child, an adult. Tell a friend or a stranger. In the midst of the hustle and hassle take a moment to tell the story to someone and share the joy that comes with the birth of the Baby Jesus.

Angela Nickerson, Director of Discipleship

Luke 1:57-80

Zachariah, John the Baptist’s father, is filled with the Holy Spirit and delivers a powerful speech at the naming of his son, proclaiming that he will “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” His words are not just for his son, though. John the Baptist’s job is also our own. We are called to invite, to share the news that Jesus brings us. And in these last days before Christmas, we encourage you to take time to do that. Invite someone you know to worship with your family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Bring them to St. John’s and share with them the joy of Christmas. John the Baptist was a voice in the wilderness, and sometimes as Christians we feel alone, too. But you are never alone. And in these days of gifts and giving, isn’t the gift of Christ and the community of a church one of the greatest gifts you can share? Take a minute and think: who around you may be lonely this Christmas? Invite them to join you as we come together to celebrate Christ’s birth.

Anonymous

Isaiah 9:6-7

George Friderich Handel debuted his masterpiece, Messiah, in Dublin, Ireland, in 1742. He chose to set this portion of Isaiah’s text as part of the Christmas section of Messiah. The music is joyful, bouncy, and full of delight as the singers bubble, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given.” I hope you will take time to listen to a recording or a performance this Christmas season. Listen to the way Handel paints each word: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah isn’t just offering a list of superlatives. In verse 2 he writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Who is that light? The baby -- the baby who gets the biggest title of all: Prince of Peace.

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace: we have seen a great light! We join the prophets and saints and angels above in proclaiming your praises. Watch over us, and give us the courage to allow our joy to overflow. For, unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. Amen.

Anonymous

Psalm 89:1-4

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we humbly thank you for your goodness to us and to all that you have made. We praise you for your creation, for keeping us and all things in your care, and for all the blessings of life. Above all we bless you for your immeasurable love in redeeming the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies that with thankful hearts we praise you, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving ourselves to your service and by living in your gifts of holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all worship and praise, now and forever.
Amen.

From the hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress Lic. #22745

Micah 5:2-5

One of my favorite Christmas carols is “O little town of Bethlehem”, and it is based on the Bible text of Micah. The song and the Bible verse always move my imagination to see a small town in a peaceful night with the star shining in the sky. Probably it is the memory of one of the typical Christmas cards that we send and receive during the Christmas season.

But what we need to imagine beyond this image of peace is the meaning of Salvation in times of crisis, Micah talked about it. The image of exile and return was present in 5:3 with the words “Israel will be abandoned.” I think this is an important concept to consider: the notion of experiencing exile and the feeling of being abandoned. It is in this context where we can see the Salvation and the Savior coming with real gratitude and hope. This is part of the mystery, that the Salvation comes suddenly but with the power to liberate us from our captivity and guide us to the promised land. Think about your own captivities and follow the way that God has opened to your freedom.

Rev. Jose Luis La Torre, Hispanic Ministry Pastor

Zephaniah 3:14-20

They walk among us and we do not notice.
They can be seen and often not heard.
They feel sadness and despair,
They feel loneliness and fear,
They reach out only to touch air,
And to realize no one is near.
Who are these lost souls?
Who are those wandering amongst us?
These are our neighbors, our friends,
These are our fellow parishioners, our co-workers
These are our sons, our daughters, and our spouses.
STOP. Reach out, embrace, and listen.
Walk with them, look at them. Comfort them, pray with them.
Help them feel as one, together help them heal.
Let them feel the love of God, through you.

Tim Baumbach, Property Manager

Psalm 96

“Sing to the Lord a new song . . . Declare His glory among the nations.”

I love it when something unexpected happens and it causes me to pause and take in my surroundings – looking at the world around me, hearing the sounds of nature and life, and realizing how it is all inter-connected. Psalm 96:11 points out many of God’s wondrous creations and how they praise Him daily. This Advent, as we prepare for the birth of our newborn King, let us remember each day is a new beginning - an opportunity to find something new for which we can offer praise to our God. Another chance to share the love of God “among the nations” and sing praises to His name.

Patricia Miguel, Admin. Asst. for Ministry

Habakkuk 3

Why Habakkuk? What does a minor prophet living 600 years before Christ have to do with us? Habakkuk, a child of God, lived in the southern kingdom, and he faced disaster. Babylon was on its way to annihilate what was left of Israel. God’s promises seemed to be rapidly disappearing.

At this darkest moment, God assures him that “the righteous will live by faith” (2:4), and Habakkuk’s faith ignites in these words:
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (4:17-18)

Habukkuk’s faith – like Abraham’s, Paul’s, and our own – is God’s gift, and it counts as our righteousness. Praise be to God!

Bob Huckfeldt, Member

Luke 1:39-56

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, is one of my favorite texts to sing. Her words are both humble and full of praise -- astonishing since this young woman was put in a seemingly impossible circumstance as the “Mother of God.” Martin Luther also loved the Magnificat and wrote, “Here, the tender mother of Christ teaches us, with her words and by the example of her experience, how to know, love, and praise God.” And while reading Mary’s words is powerful, I sometimes wonder if she sang them instead, clutching her pregnant belly and crooning to the child she carried, “Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be” (ELW 723)

The Evangelical Lutheran Worship book (ELW) includes several lovely settings of the Magnificat including hymn numbers 236, 882, 573, and 723. Sing praise to the Lord!

Angela Nickerson, Director of Discipleship

Isaiah 61:8-11

One day my Grandmother and I planted corn in her backyard. The next time I visited her I checked on the corn, but nothing was there yet.

Several weeks later I looked out the window to check on the seeds. And guess what? There were sprouts! I threw my shoes on and I raced outside as fast as I could and I was amazed when I got out there. It was breathtaking. I had never seen anything like it before. It was awesome and cool.

God promises in Isaiah, “For as the Earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

I hope, just like in my garden, that righteousness and praise will “sprout” up into the world someday soon.

Melitta Kauppinen, St. John’s Youth

Isaiah 61:1-4

During Advent we are reminded that God has a plan and that plan includes us. Isaiah 61 starts by saying “The spirit of the Lord is upon me...” God had a plan for Isaiah and the other prophets. They were called anointed for their mission. Isaiah’s mission, as Jerusalem was being rebuilt, included bringing the good news, healing and comforting. God’s plan in sending Jesus included teaching, healing and comforting, and many other opportunities for ministry. Have you thought about what plan God has for you? Have you listened recently for what the spirit of God is saying to you? I encourage you to take a look at what spiritual gifts you have been given. Spend some quiet time during this busy season and give thanks for those gifts. Let the “spirit of the Lord” be upon you as you reflect and consider the plan God has for you and your spiritual gifts.

Loving God, open my ears to your word and your plan for me. Help me appreciate the gifts you have given me and help me to know how to use those gifts in ways that are pleasing to you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Suzi Carson, Parish Nurse

Zephaniah 3:14-20

She was a young woman when a new job took her from Georgia to California. She was a frail 86 year-old when the landlord’s call came. “Your aunt must move out so that we can repair the water damage.” Although she had made choices that isolated her from family and friends, she was still the beloved aunt who had remembered birthdays, saved treasured correspondence, and was still able to share family stories we had never heard. We brought her home to Atlanta. Home where she had grown from a gangly immigrant child into a beautiful young woman. Home where there was family to visit. Home where she could be watched over in her final years.

Zephaniah tells of God’s promised future, “At that time I will bring you home.” Aunt Bee was able to experience loving care until God welcomed her into her eternal home four years later.

Bea Favre, Akaloo Coordinator

Isaiah 52:7-10

When I read Isaiah 52:7-10 theres are the words that jump out to me: Good news, peace, proclaim salvation, God reigns, listen, together, joy and own eyes.  During this advent season we prepare for the coming of Jesus, our savior. Together with joy and peace we celebrate this beautiful season with prayer and song and we proclaim salvation. Give yourself time to listen closely to others. Always believe that there are less fortunate people in this world than oneself.  Yes, this has been a difficult time for many, however, we need to listen to others in order to count our own blessings. So, this Advent season, share your thoughts together, find joy, listen to others, experience life with open eyes, spread the good news and proclaim salvation!

Peace and Joy to you this holiday season.

Linda Ramirez, Admin. Asst. for Finance

2 Corinthians 1:2-5

I invite you to read Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 1, verses 2 through 5. Paul’s words in the middle of these verses have been especially important for me: “Praise be to the God... the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God .”

I was a young man when I really learned to appreciate these words at a very troubling time as my wife Dorothy and I suffered the tragedy of our three year old son’s death. Surely we received God’s comfort at this time, but it was through the actions and words of others that we fully realized the meaning and power of Paul’s words. I cherish this memory and rejoice in the present as I see the comfort of all of us through Christ overflowing to those who are troubled.

George Niesl, Member

Zechariah 9:9-17

In the midst of Advent with stars and shopping bags, pine trees and parties, all competing for our attention, it is easy to lose focus. The celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons are wonderful, community-building traditions. But it is easy to think only of the baby in the story -- he’s cute and chubby and makes for darling Christmas cards. However, the words of Zechariah remind us that the baby will grow up to be a man. “Your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey.” The sweet, chubby baby who’s likeness surrounds us in the dark of December grew up to become the man who entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna.” But we know that those Hosannas were hollow, and the real triumph came only after Jesus died and was risen again.

Our God, we give thanks for the baby whose birth we anticipate, but we also give thanks for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus. Through him you set the captives free and saved us all from our sins. For that we shout, Hosanna! Amen.

Anonymous

Luke 1:26-38

“For nothing is impossible to God.” Sometimes on my journey, I have felt like I’ve hit a “dead end” or that the dreams I have been pregnant with all my life are never going to come to fruition! And then, lo and behold, unexpectedly, I receive good news that the so-called impossible is now possible. Like Mary and Elizabeth, I have wondered: “But how can this be, for I am too ___ ?”

For example, for many years I was “pregnant” with the dream of becoming an ordained pastor. But it took several “angels” to help name it for me. Each one of them asked me: “Have you been thinking about going to seminary?” These angels of God breathed life into my dreams.

Today, let us give thanks for the God who promises to be faithful in everything and in all time.

Cindy G. Carroll, Pastoral Intern

Luke 1:26-38

“For nothing is impossible to God.” Sometimes on my journey, I have felt like I’ve hit a “dead end” or that the dreams I have been pregnant with all my life are never going to come to fruition! And then, lo and behold, unexpectedly, I receive good news that the so-called impossible is now possible. Like Mary and Elizabeth, I have wondered: “But how can this be, for I am too ___ ?”

For example, for many years I was “pregnant” with the dream of becoming an ordained pastor. But it took several “angels” to help name it for me. Each one of them asked me: “Have you been thinking about going to seminary?” These angels of God breathed life into my dreams.

Today, let us give thanks for the God who promises to be faithful in everything and in all time.

Cindy G. Carroll, Pastoral Intern

Philippians 4:4-7

Paul trumpets his theme: Rejoice in the Lord always. He repeats it: Rejoice.

Regardless of our circumstances, whether we are happy or sad, feeling good or bad, even in our darkest hours, we can find peace because God can do for us what we can’t do for ourselves.

As I read these verses, I thought back to a few weeks ago when we said goodbye to a dear friend. Jean was 82 and lived a life filled with purpose, with joy, with love, and with a gentleness in her soul.

She treated all with decency and dignity and never diminished anyone’s dreams. She brought us rainbows after the storms and hugs to heal our hurts. By emerging from suffering and heartaches with her deep faith intact she taught us that if you are afraid of the thorns you will never caress a rose. Her life was a lesson in Christian living. Rejoice.

Gregory Favre, Church Council President

Isaiah 40:9-11

“Do not fear.” We see these words often in scripture. And I love how they are woven in and out of both the Old and New Testaments. If God is anything, God is a comfort to those who are afraid.

What are YOU afraid of? Losing your job? The loss of a loved one? Poor health? Whatever your fears, know that God is with you. And to prove His dedication to us, God sent Jesus into the world to offer peace and reconciliation to all. “He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.”

In this season of Advent, do not fear, but know that God is with you, holding you and offering comfort in the areas of your life that you fear the most.

Holly Klaman, Admin. Asst. for Publications