Advent 3 C: Sharing the Christmas Message

Sorry folks, but no resources this week - we are too busy preparing our place for oncoming bush fires. The photo was taken yesterday afternoon from our front veranda.

There is a 2021 version of this blog with lots more resources - see my archive at left

Jenee from textweek.com reminded me that advent 3 is about waiting in hope and preparing so I have added this photo as well. I took the photo as the fire front was approaching Omeo three years ago when I was working up there as a pastoral visitor to fire beseiged families. I think anyone who can put their washing out to dry in the face of an oncoming fire shows great hope - also the clothes prop shapes a cross in the middle of the picture. There is a lull in the proceedings here and I think we (and our house) are ready for any eventuality so....... Bible Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7 Theme: Sharing the Christmas Message Listening Song: When You Say Nothing at all By Ronan Keating on his album, When You Say Nothing At All. This goes very well with the Zephaniah reading where it says that God "silently shows that us his love". (pictured) Poem: First Coming by MadeleineL'Engle in Imaging the Word, United Church Press, 1994, ISBN 082980716, page 85 (pictured i an earlier blog) Kid's Story: Wombat Divine by Mem Fox and Kerry Argent, Omnibus Books, 1995, ISBN 1862913021. Brilliant!!!! Everybody has a role to play when it comes to Christmas. Youth Story: Safe Under the Falls Find this story in the The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252 on page 631 After telling the story, read Isaiah 12:2-6, and use it to re-asssure them in the times when they are fearful or reluctant to share the Christmas story. Story: Even Now the Taste Found in The Speaker's Source Book of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley, Word Publishing, 1995, ISBN 0849936756, page 38. Fits with Philippians 4:4 Story: Pillsbury Doughboy Wanted for Attempted Murder Found in Illustrations, Stories and Quotes by Jim Burns and Greg Mckinnon (eds.), Gospel Light, 1997, ISBN 0830718834, page 41 (pictured in an earlier blog). Fits with Philippians 4:6. Poem: The Faithful are Fearless Found In Due Season by Herbert F. Brokering, Augsburg Publishing House, 1966 in the winter section. Response Activity: Give each person a small card with the words: rejoicing, gentleness, prayer and peace written on one side. Ask people to write the name of a person they would like to share the message of Christmas with on the blank side of the card. Ask them to turn the card over and look at the four words and then ask: How can you share the Good News of Christmas best with the person you named; is it through rejoicing, through gentleness, through prayer, through peaceful words or actions. Give time for silent prayer.