December 10, 2006

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Preparation for Worship

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78-79

"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it."

Dwight D. Eisenhower

"First keep the peace within yourself,

then you can also bring peace to others."

Thomas A. Kempis

ADVENT PRAYER

Almighty God, you have made us and all things to serve you, as we prepare the world for your rule. Come quickly to save us, so that wars and violence shall end, and your children may live in peace, honoring one another with justice and love; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

On this Second Sunday of Advent, our worship focus is on God's promise of peace. The processional hymn, taken from the Genevan Psalter, has an almost dance-like energy as it “tells of peace, so says our God.”  John Calvin was a particular critic of the Genevan Psalter, questioning the quick pace, vitality, and reverence of these psalm tunes and settings. The choir's anthem, “Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain” encourages us to share the message of peace with the world as together we "shout the good news" that the Lord God will come to us.  In the hymn, “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem,” we are reminded about the many works of Jesus Christ from his birth in a manger to his death for us on the cross. The offertory is a particularly peaceful setting by Henry Blake that was recently popularized in a children's movie, “The Snowman.” “Prepare the Way” is a setting from the American Lutheran Hymnal that appropriately describes the way of Christ as that of "peace, freedom, justice, truth, and love."

     The major symbol for our Advent season at Westminster 2006 is the candle. The candle shines light in front of us to lead the way, inside of us to guide our paths, and through us to spread the love of Christ. The candle on the cover of our bulletin is a woodcut by a Michigan artist, Elizabeth Steele Halstead and found in the book, Rings, Kings and Butterflies by Harriet Vander Meer. The greens that surround the candle tell us it is a Christmas candle, signifying the light of Christ. Candles, surrounded by greens, adorn our sanctuary windows and will shine during our Christmas Eve worship services.

     The greens of the Christmas trees in front of the sanctuary are decorated with gold and silver, symbolizing presents the Magi brought to the manger for the newborn King. The white crocheted crosses, hearts and stars symbolize the life of Jesus and the fulfillment of God's prophesy. These particular decorations were made by a woman living in a Texas prison. The ornaments remind us of the bondage we have in sin and the salvation we receive from the little babe in Bethlehem. May they help prepare our hearts, so that the presents we bring are fit for a King.