Blogging toward Sunday

Image via Wikimedia Commons

On our journey toward Advent, our sermon series, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," is linked to a portion of the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-6. While names like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob come as no surprise, there are surely other names that are unexpected. Last week we considered Ruth and Rahab. This week we take a look at Tamar and Bathsheba.

Take time to read their stories found in Genesis 38:1-30 and 1 Kings 1:15-31. Then consider the following:

1. What new information did you encounter?
2. What surprises you about these stories?
3. What does it mean that people like Tamar and Bathsheba are named in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus Christ?

I pray that your journey through Advent has been one of peace and joy. As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

On our journey toward Advent, the sermon series, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," is linked to a portion of the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1-6. Take time to read this passage. Then consider who makes the list? Would you expect to find all these people on the roll call of Jesus' family? Likely, you will find a few names that are a bit unexpected. For example, who would imagine that Ruth and Rahab would be named, especially since they were both foreigners. Yet by God's grace they, too, are part of the family of God.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Before Sunday, take time to read Ruth 1:22-2:12 and consider the following:

1. To what city does Naomi and Ruth travel? How does this relate to the Nativity?
2. Who is Boaz?
3. What sort of person does Boaz seem to be?
4. How concerned is Boaz about Ruth being a foreigner?

Now, let's turn our attention to Rahab.

Via Wikimedia Commons

You may read about her in Joshua 2:15-24, (to get a fuller picture of the events, you may wish to read the entire chapter), then reflect on the following:

1. What do you already know about Rahab?
2. What is her profession?
3. Although Scripture doesn't tell us, have you ever wondered why a woman might have "chosen" such a career in ancient biblical times?
4. What does Rahab do for the spies sent by Joshua? 

As always, I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. I pray that you are having a blessed Advent.

Shalom,
Glenda

Blogging toward Sunday

This week I have been enjoying our Advent Calender 2012 devotional. Although the readings are short, they seem to pack quite a punch. Today's title, for example, is "Party Time," with the following comment: "The Giver of Life invites you to a banquet in honor of his Son's birth. Please respond." (Immediately I had an image of an RSVP in response to party invitation.)

The suggested biblical text is Isaiah 25:6-9:

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation (NRSV).

Herein we see the promise of God's ultimate defeat over death. Walter Brueggemann says of this text, "The imagery here of death is not simply the fact of mortality. Rather, "death" is understood as a great devastating monster who stalks the earth and seeks to undo all of the structures of life. In the imagery [of verse 8], it is argued that God is an even stronger power who, with great force and brutality, will simply swallow death, chew it up, and spit it out in complete nullification. (The Life with God Bible, from the commentary on Isaiah, pg.1014)

It's no surprise that this Scripture passage is often used in the Church to celebrate the wondrous accomplishment of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, an accomplishment that began at the Savior's birth.

During the Season of Advent, we are invited to be a part of the most wonderful story ever told. We are invited to sit with God, consider the wonder of it all, mark time together and seek out ways to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Although the world would entice us to turn our focus elsewhere, we will surely be better for choosing to turn toward the Light of the World on our journey toward Bethlehem.We will surely be better if we RSVP "Yes!" to the greatest invitation of all.

Sunday we will gather to listen to "Light and Life ," a Christmas Cantata performed by our Colonial Heights Presbyterian Choir. Hope to see you here!

Shalom,
Glenda