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Pondering the Great Arrival
As you use Imaginative Meditation to enter the scene Engage Advent Booklet . . . keep in mind the way Mary saw things taking place before her. ”She pondered these things in her heart.” Are you taking in all of life? Are you willing to be present in your day? Do you see God’s nearness in the day?Luke 2: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
STORY: Advent week 4
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figure:
JOHN the Baptist
READ: Mark chapter 1:1-15 – “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare Your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’John was actively waiting—as the forerunner to Jesus.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see John the Baptist as a figure of waiting? * In what ways do her actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?STORY: Advent Week 03
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure three: ESTHER
READ: Esther chapter 4 - (Mordecai) “ . . . For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” EstherEsther had risen to influence—but her influence was of no use without obedient action. Esther pleas for the life of her people, the Jews.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Esther as a figure of waiting?
* How does Esther’s plea foreshadow Christ’s incarnation on behalf of humanity?figure three: HOSEA
READ: Hosea chapter 1-3 – “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry, and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the Lord.”Hosea is the very picture of God’s unfailing, unending love in his husbandry of Gomer.
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Hosea as a figure of waiting? * In what ways do his actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?STORY: Advent Week 02
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure two: MOSES
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
Moses was born into privilege, but took a step of humility by exiting the Pharoah’s household in order to be with his people—the Jews, who were in slavery. Moses took the obedient steps God laid before him—even to the point of being a picture of salvation to the people—leading them in the mass exodus from Egypt.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Moses as a figure of waiting?
* How does Moses actions foreshadow the Messiah’s coming?figure three: RUTH
Ruth had entered a new culture by marriage. Upon her husbands death—she had every right to return to the culture she found home in—the gods, the language, and the location. Ruth spoke the words of great loyalty to her mother in law—“where you go, I will go . . .” (Ruth 1).
* In what ways do you inhabit this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Ruth as a figure of waiting?
* In what ways do her actions reflect the Messiah’s coming?figure one: CALEB
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should by all means go p and take possession of land, for we shall surely overcome it . . . the land which we passed through to spay out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord and do not fear the people of the land for they shall be our prey . . .” Num. 13
Caleb and Joshua saw a different reality for the community’s future than any of the others who saw the promised land. Their report was one of faith—believing that there was something else that God was doing—something beyond their ability and beyond their rationale. The road ahead was both promised but overwhelming, fulfilling but sacrificial.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* In what ways is your life (and the communities life) adding up to more than the “typical” of society?
* How do you see a reality that is defined by obedience, service, generosity, love, and faith rather than autonomy, security, personal provision, and self-centered living?
* How do you see Caleb as a figure of waiting?Saint Nicholas Traditions…
This year, consider baking some traditional Saint Nicholas cookies (or your own favs) and share with your neighbors. We are posting a link to some “Saint Nicholas Tradition” tags for you to print and use to write notes to your neighbors.RECIPE:Mix in order:1 cup shortening2 cups white sugar4 eggs whole3/4 tsp salt2 tsp baking powder4 cups flour4tsp cinnamon2 tsp allspice2 tsp nutmeg2 tsp ginger2 tsp clovesAfter mixing the dough, turn onto a floured board. Knead in about one cup additional flour or as much as you need until dough is no longer sticky and is easy to handle.
Put into a plastic bag and refrigerate until chilled and stiff. Then you are ready to roll out and cut the cookies. Cut off a manageable piece and keep the rest cool until you are ready for more. Roll the dough thinly and cut into shapes. Thin cookies are the tastiest.Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.And a little something about the reason:“Nicholas was an early Christian saint, Bishop of Myra in Turkey, who lived around the 4th century CE. In legend he became famous for his acts of charity for people in his city, most of which were performed in secret. This holiday season, consider the ways in which you can carry on this spirit of giving.”LINK FOR CARDS: CARDS TO PRINTSTORY: Advent Week 01
Engage Advent by using the ancient practice of Imaginative Meditation (found in the Engage Advent Booklet) to further consider the waiting of the following figures:figure one: ADAM & EVE
Adam and Eve were created to enjoy an intimate life with God living in Eden, where work was productive and every need was cared for by God (Genesis 2). After choosing to disobey God, there was no longer the same intimacy with God—nor could they stay in Eden (Genesis 3 esp. 3:22-24).
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Adam and Eve as figures of waiting?
* How do you think they might have spoken about their former days in Eden? How does this life speak to our deepest longings?figure two: NOAH
“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Hebrews 11:7
Noah was faithful to God and he heard both the promise and judgment of God. He obeyed God’s instruction and found God faithful to His promise, saving his family and creation (Genesis 6-8).
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Noah as a figure of waiting?
* How does the ark foreshadow the salvation to come with the Messiah?figure three: ABRAHAM
“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going . . . for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8, 10
A command to leave his country was no small thing—it was the only life Abraham and his fathers had known. Abraham obeyed, continuing on in a life directed by God (Genesis 12:1-9).
* In what ways do you inhabit this story through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Abraham as a figure of waiting?
* How does his going out speak to the life in which we live as those who wait
again for His coming?figure one: SARAH
“By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised;”
Sarah wasn’t physically fit to bear children—she was over eighty years old. And yet, God had promised. Laughing was her response—what would yours be in light of God promising the impossible? Is it salvation to your weary, isolated, sin soaked life? Messiah comes through in the right moment (kairos) that we might find ourselves the weakest—while seeing God in light of his infinite faithfulness.
* In what ways are you inhabiting this story (through Imaginative Meditation)?
* How do you see Sarah as figures of waiting?
* How have you found tension in waiting upon God? How might your story be an encouragement to others?snapshot ahead of community life during this Advent
Come back to the blog for more details each week on the community focus each week on The Voice = the prophets speaking about the coming Messiah; Rhythm = a weekly emphasis; Story = figures of waiting to consider . . .
NOV29: First Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Isaiah 61
RHYTHM: Adopting Rethread Families (see Daran)
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah
see blog for reading detailsDEC06: Second Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Zeph. 3:14-20
RHYTHM: Saint Nicholas Cookies (see blog)
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Moses, Ruth, Caleb
see blog for reading detailsDEC11: Adventus Art Show @ 7p
DEC13: Third Sunday of Advent
community meal @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Micah 5:1-5
RHYTHM: Shared Table
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: David, Esther, Hosea, John the Baptist
see blog for reading detailsDEC20: Fourth Sunday of Advent
the gathering @ 5pmTHE VOICE: Mal. 3:1-4
RHYTHM: Reflect & Share “Open Mic”
STORY: Imaginative Meditation: Luke 2
see blog for reading detailsCHRISTMAS EVE DEC24: News of the Arrival
details on gathering together TBACHRISTMAS DEC25: Pondering the Arrival (Mary: The Magnificant)
consider the reading provided via the blogDEC27: The Subversive Nature of the Arrival
the gathering @ 5pmJAN03: My Year in Review Stations
stations [come and go] between 5:00 - 6:30p
Plaza District
Check out the latest in the Plaza District!
writings:
others:
* Awaken Retreat (Spring 09)
* Metanoina: forty days (Lent) to face a fundamental shift
* Community Is . . .
* My Year In Review 2008
Flickr
books we are reading
Making Room by Christine Pohl
EXILES by Michael Frost
Compassion by Henri Nouwen
Synchronicity by Jaworski
Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture
Take This Bread by Sara Miles
To Be Told by Dan Allender
Static by Ron Martoia
The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle
Living in the Presence by Tilden Edwards
Sadhana: A Way to God by Anthony de Mello
Saving the Appearances by Owen Barfield
Signs of Emergence by Kester Brewen
Everything Must Change by Brian McLaren
Divine Intervention by Tony Jones
Community and Growth: Our Pilgrimage Together by Jean Vanier
Created for Community by Stanley Grenz
From Stone to Living Word
The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel
The Divine Commodity by Skye Jethani
The Great Giveaway by David Fitch