4th Sunday of Advent

Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Advent are:

1. Micah 5: 1-4a
2. Psalms 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
3. Hebrews 10: 5-10
4. Luke 1: 39-45

1. Peace on earth or the earth in pieces
• If you define peace to be freedom from worry, disquiet, a state of tranquility, it's hard to find anyone who's against that.  But peace to what end?
• If your outlook was peaceful, if you had the sort of faith in God that you could trust Him to accomplish all things in His own good time, what would such peace equip you to do?
• If you were so focused on God that you cared more about serving Him well than health or sickness, wealth or poverty, regard from others or disdain, what would you be doing differently?
• What's stopping you?
2. Grow where you're planted
• Do you feel as though you're right where you ought to be in life, or do you feel like a round peg in a square hole?
• Do you feel that your whole life has gradually led right to where you are right now, or do you feel as though you've jumped off the rails of destiny somewhere?
• As we prepare to welcome Jesus into the world, into our communities, our families, our hearts, where do you see that welcome taking you?
3. Where there's a will there's a way
• Do you feel that you've sacrificed a great deal in your life for God, do you feel that the blessings outweigh the sacrifices, or do you feel that following God is its own reward and it's faintly heretical to even ask the question?
• Do you feel that it's important that our will be in line with God's will before we do that will of God, or is it merely enough that we obey, regardless of the motive?
• What are some ways that you've found to "get on the same page" with God?
4. Leaping lizards Sandy!
• What do you think motivated Mary to go see her cousin Elizabeth?
• As their respective sons grew older, what do you think happened to the relationship between Mary & Elizabeth?
• Do you think that God can use friendships, family ties to get the work of the Kingdom done?
• What does that say about how we treat our relationships?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How can I simplify my life and become more at peace?
2. What am I willing to endure to be where God formed me to be?
3. What have I done to know God's will?
4. When was the last time that I told anyone about a blessing in my life?

Thank you for putting skin on God

God bless all of you
God bless you for the hearty chuckle, the quick squeeze, the hugs, the tears,
God bless you for the courage to show your true self, to reveal what really matters to you,
God bless you for showing me the heart of God in ways that I can relate to.

Jesus discipled his friends, and doubtless today He would friend his disciples.
Jesus steals into our lives, our hearts on the wings of of flowers given,
Holding the hand of a dying loved one
Or wrapped up in a casserole delivered to someone grieving the lost of a spouse.

He shows me who He is by calling me to show others who He is.
Kind, generous, tender
His rays of love seek a way through the cracked and abused window of my life
If only I let him clean me, that I may more faithfully be who He created me to be.

In the meantime, squint a bit when you look at me
To see that there is some hint of Jesus looking at you
Out of my baby blue eyes.
And if you cannot see Him, tell me so, I can always use the help.

Shalom!