Earlier this morning in worship, my church celebrated the third week of Advent with the youth of the church telling the story of the birth of Christ. As you might imagine, there were wise men, angels, Innkeeper, King Herod, Mary, Joseph, a star, some stable "animals" and three sister shepherdesses led our shepherds. In addition to all the familiar parts of the joyful storytelling was singing, clapping and glitter...lots and lots of glitter.
Apparently in all the movement and telling of this nativity story, a great deal of glitter from our costumes left a trail all over the sanctuary, fellowship hall and out the doors and into the parking lot. After service had ended and I headed up the main stairs to turn off all the lights, little glints and glimmers of glitter caught my eye and I thought, "Glitter gets everywhere!"
Indeed it does.
Yes glitter can be difficult to get up off the carpet and it travels home with you on the bottoms of your shoes because glitter is persistent.
While there is a time to break out the vacuum and clean up all the glitter, for the moment I am encouraged by seeing it here and there. I love how it makes its way into all the rooms we live and travels with us wherever we go. On this third week of Advent, when we might be feeling a bit weary with all our preparation for Christmas, we need a dose - I need a dose - of persistent, glittery, joy. I need to be reminded that in the midst of challenge and conflict - the joy of Jesus is with me even now. Th joy of Christ is the light that goes with me everyday. It is a light in the darkness. It is hope when we feel helpless. It is like the persistent glitter from Christmas program angel wings - and it carries us in joy to the day we long to see...Christmas morning, because..."glitter gets everywhere!"
Prayer: Jesus help us to hold on to your light and hope this day - and even when we think we are in the dark, remind us that you stick with us like glitter. You are always lighting our path and leading the way with light. Amen
James 5:7-10
5:7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
5:8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
5:9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!
5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Apparently in all the movement and telling of this nativity story, a great deal of glitter from our costumes left a trail all over the sanctuary, fellowship hall and out the doors and into the parking lot. After service had ended and I headed up the main stairs to turn off all the lights, little glints and glimmers of glitter caught my eye and I thought, "Glitter gets everywhere!"
Indeed it does.
Yes glitter can be difficult to get up off the carpet and it travels home with you on the bottoms of your shoes because glitter is persistent.
While there is a time to break out the vacuum and clean up all the glitter, for the moment I am encouraged by seeing it here and there. I love how it makes its way into all the rooms we live and travels with us wherever we go. On this third week of Advent, when we might be feeling a bit weary with all our preparation for Christmas, we need a dose - I need a dose - of persistent, glittery, joy. I need to be reminded that in the midst of challenge and conflict - the joy of Jesus is with me even now. Th joy of Christ is the light that goes with me everyday. It is a light in the darkness. It is hope when we feel helpless. It is like the persistent glitter from Christmas program angel wings - and it carries us in joy to the day we long to see...Christmas morning, because..."glitter gets everywhere!"
Prayer: Jesus help us to hold on to your light and hope this day - and even when we think we are in the dark, remind us that you stick with us like glitter. You are always lighting our path and leading the way with light. Amen
James 5:7-10
5:7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
5:8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
5:9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!
5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
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