Waiting for Jesus – December 19

Two music selections for you today.

Music: Inshallah – Jesus what a wonderful child:

Inshallah events are spirited affairs. Thanks Bradley Moggach for your work on the keys! The traditional African-American spiritual was arranged by Jeffrey Radford.

And listen to this for fun moving music: Christmas in Capetown – new apostolic Church S Africa. https://youtu.be/YL9nACK7_U4?si=sC3Rj8ONqbe5pAZn (if the link does not open, copy and paste the purple link into your search browser.

Waiting for Jesus – December 18

Prayer: Matthew 1: 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary
as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’

i’m dreaming of …

communities
where building houses
for families living
on the streets is
important

neighbourhoods
filled with
children from every
place on earth,
playing
together in peace

streets
which do not
have room or time for
drug dealers and
gun wielders

homes
whose residents
live out
justice
peace
and hope

people
who love more
than hate

give more than
take

share more
than hoard

Jesus come

Waiting for Jesus

December 15 – Luke 2 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

I’m blown away with surprise! I wanted to talk about the beautiful nativity or manger scenes I’ve seen, and when I started to research traditions, I found a list of “rules for setting up a manger scene” – who knew i was doing it wrong all these years!!? And more important – i dont think it matters at all. (is that a shepherd in this picture, or is it Gandalf?)

Large or tiny, the tradition of setting up a nativity scene is special. Letting children play with the figures is special. Sitting together and sipping eggnog or something else beside the manger scene is special. Slipping a child’s action figure into the scene is really special.
We put ours under the Christmas tree since our pile of gifts (2) is very small. Putting Jesus there is kind of symbolic – or are the wrapped gifts the symbol?

Where do you set up your manger scene – or where do you go to view that special group of figures? Many of the long term care homes have beautiful scenes – pop in for a look and maybe drop off some treats for the hard working staff while you are there.

prayer: Jesus our Lord. You came as a small helpless baby. Renew our hearts to be child-like, humble and needing no power. Fill us with trust and love. Make us your manger, and stir us to hold your love for all the world. Amen

(please share your thoughts and stories in the comment area at the bottom)

Waiting for Jesus

December 8 Isaiah 25: On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

Plan some down time and pop the popcorn! Here is a list of some seasonal movies to relax with or to inspire your decorating. (listed on the CBC LIFE page) – some laughs at the silliness, and some laughs because the scene is funny. Take a break. Feel the anticipation.

Little Women – (2019 film) While it may not be a holiday film proper, Greta Gerwig’s unmissable 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s literary classic Little Women features some of the most beautiful Christmastime decor 

“The Holiday” a 2006 romantic comedy (shameless confession – I love this movie!) Let the easy, romantic wonder of The Holiday inspire you to go simple with your holiday decor this year. All you really need to turn your space into a comfy British cottage is a pile of warm blankets. Drape yourself in enough chintz and paisley, and it’ll feel just like you’re next to a roaring fire.

The Christmas Prince – 2017 netflix – If you’d like to take your cues from this fictional nation’s design book and go full European castle this year, fill your home with thrifted gold accents and adorn your staircase or mantel with lush, red velvet ribbons from the dollar store.

Birdman – 2014 Academy Award darling Birdman is anything but a holiday film. But the mind-melting philosophical drama makes this list because of a scene in which Michael Keaton’s character, Riggan Thomson, visits a liquor store in downtown Manhattan. Featuring stunning camerawork from cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the shots are dripping in bright, eclectic Christmas lights. 

Mrs Harris goes to Paris – feel good feel not so good, a fun story.


Make your own movie – preserve memories on film, photographs or journal entries. Bring them out next year when you unpack your Christmas boxes. Definitely popcorn worthy too.

Prayer: God of glory and peace, bless our time in this season of waiting. Fill us with expectation for gathering with family and friends, and with our church community. Surprise us with unexpected gifts of your presence in this time. Open our hearts to the love of your kingdom coming and here. Amen.

Waiting for Jesus, December 5

Music: this song from the Philippines is in traditional language which might be unfamiliar to you, but the feeling given by the music is quite understandable (im thinking trust, gentleness, acceptance). One description shared that this song shares the words of Mary as she agrees to Gods bidding – “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior” See the image around time marker 2:50. It clearly shows how Jesus brings healing. May your devotion time be a blessing.

If the video link does not work, go to Youtube.com and past the link into the search bar. https://youtu.be/4JzeYYLpV0?si=5EhsCO3hze-p8EVG (its there in dark purple ink)

*Note from November 26: * I’ve been monitoring this video and it has been hit and miss. These are the details for your own search if it is not readily available here.
“Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri” (“My Heart Praises the Lord”) by Bukas Palad Ministry

I hope it works for you.
pastor Pam

here is another song of hope.