The Candle of Love

Well the day has come that we light the last Advent candle before welcoming Jesus Christ! What a moment this is that we bring more lightness into the darkness through the candle of love.

When I sit back and reflect on today's service, and this Advent and Christmas season, it is apparent that God's love is all around us and that we are called to embrace this story and find our identity within it.

Earlier this week I attended the Blue Christmas service. The message of God's love, even when it seems there is no hope and only darkness, was uplifting -- God's love could make life grow through the shoot from Jesse's stump. It is through God's love, even during the hardest of times, he is always there.

We ready ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ, who was born in a manger, which is a profound way that God showed us his love for us.  Even though it was a very long, long time ago His love is never-ending. It is seen in the beauty and wonders of this world, including new life, that was celebrated today through the Holy Sacrament.

May God's love embrace you this Christmas Eve day and all days.

Colleen G.

The candle of Joy

Why is it that when I entered the sanctuary today, a day of brilliant winter sun, the two candles of advent already burning seemed to shed the brightest light?  A light that seemed to increase as today’s candle of Joy was lit.

As Karen brought the thoughts and concerns that Joseph would have had to our minds, I wondered where he found light in the path that suddenly had come to him.  A visit from an angel—terrifying or reassuring? How did Joseph’s love for Mary change and grow with this unexpected responsibility and joy thrust upon them?

Today’s candle reminds us too that our advent journey is closer to the end than to the beginning.  We await the lighting of the candle of Love, and this year will almost immediately light our Christ candle.  And I anticipate the great light coming into our sanctuary and into our lives.

Billie S.

My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour. Luke 1: 46-47.

This morning we delved into the person that was Mary. As I sat and listened to Huda I couldn’t help take many lessons from Mary. Her obedient faith was so strong and at the core of who she was that she rejoiced in the Lord’s spirit even when faced what many would see as a very scary situation. In addition, she lived in the present moment and already witnessed God’s work – she did not see what was impossible, as she believed everything was possible with God. It is through this deep faith of believing that everything is possible with God, and can bring us much peace at a time when it seems as though the world is at much unrest.

This time of year also challenges us to be in the present moment and not let the often hectic pace of this season pass us by. A few of these special and present moments were witnessed today: joining fellow St. Andreans in celebrating Maureen for all that she has done for us over her 10 years with St. Andrew's. While it is sad to see her go, we know that she will bring the grace of God to each and every person she encounters in her new hometown. Maureen's celebration was followed by a lovely Christmas meal prepared by the Invitations Committee along with a time for carol singing.

It truly is a time of year where our spirits rejoice once again in the wonders of our Lord and thank him for giving us his only begotten son.

Colleen G.

Lighting the candle of hope

Today was the first Sunday in advent - the first day of the new church year, and it felt indeed like a new beginning.  I always love advent, and particularly, lighting the candle for hope, as we did today.  As the hymn we sang today goes "hope is a star".  As Karen said in her sermon - hope is the beginning from which love, peace, and joy, can grow.  It all begins with hope.  This reminds me of a quote I like: "He that lives in hope danceth without music." - George Herbert.  As the song goes, I hope you dance.

Maranatha!

Rebecca B.

Changing perspectives

I'm not sure if you noticed, but the choir played a bit of musical chairs in the loft this morning. (pun intended! ha!) The tenors usually sit facing away from the pulpit, right behind the sopranos. But today they sat facing the pulpit, between the altos and basses.

And it was a bit weird! It took us a moment or two downstairs to figure out the order in which we had to line up to enter the sanctuary - we are so used to doing the same thing every week, to standing near the same people. It was also a bit strange, for me as an alto, to have the tenor notes in my ear instead of the usual bass line. Particularly in things we sing all the time... the gloria patri after the scripture readings sounded completely different to me than it usually does. But it was great! I listened more closely than usual - hearing harmonies I don't usually hear, realizing (in a different way) how my part fit in with the other parts. And all because a few people changed seats.

As I go into this week - a week that looks to be pretty much like any other - I am going to try to listen more carefully for things I don't usually pay attention to, for voices that are quieter than others. This is where I am going to start in trying to love my neighbour this week, to feel the warm daylight of hope in these dark, cold days.

Laura S.

The freedom of grace

Karen made the point this morning that there is freedom in not conforming to the ways of the world. This really resonated with me.

I don't know if it's just where I am in my life right now, but I often measure myself - my position at work, my accomplishments, whatever - against others who are around the same age. My new year's resolution, for several years running now, has been to stop comparing myself to other people. (Ha! It's really working...) It is a constant challenge - we are always being shown images of "success" in our society - what we are supposed to be striving for. And as Karen said, it can be very draining when we don't meet those expectations.

So when we are told that we are not to conform to the ways of the world and that there is nothing we can do to earn that love of God - that our jigsaw puzzle picture maybe looks different than we thought it did - that is totally liberating. And because of God's grace, we are free to pursue the other things mentioned in Romans 12 - to let love be genuine, to live in harmony with one another, to persevere in prayer, to overcome evil with good. We are transformed and can live the life God has called us to live.

Laura S.

Signs of Remembrance

Last Sunday we celebrated those who form our congregation who fought and some who died in the two world wars. Today however was the day after the Remembrance day services at the Cenotaph. As we struggle to find reason for war, and the loss of life and limb we sometimes look at those events as far and away from who and what we are. Fortunately here in Canada save the few military families who have had to deal with the direct result of the recent conflicts we have been involved in we have been immune to the worst of those pains.  While recent events like the shootings at the Mosque in Montreal and the killing of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the Cenotaph three short years ago have touched us more closely , this country has been blessed with relative security. Earned oft by the men and woman who wear the uniforms of our country.

Huda’s sermon brought it one step closer again as she and her family have witnessed and suffer the losses that strife and war bring. Broken families, wounded and dead friends and family, destroyed hoes and places of worship and shattered lives. It is difficult not to be moved by the pain and suffering she and her family have seen and suffered. The pictures she showed of the roof blown open at her home church some time ago put in stark contrast the life we live here and that of those abroad in zones of conflict and war. What many live with and endure is not only a testament to human spirit but to faith. Huda made it clear that there was a path to peace not only for the here and now but into the hereafter. Jesus is that path. As she read passages from Romans she showed us how Jesus made to build a bridge to reach across and to find that peace. Her words spoke of our need to find amongst the wreckage and despair the means to look beyond and find that peace.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 

Noral R.