Watsonville First United Methodist Church

Watsonville, CA

Day 5, December 5, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

Christmas, 1962

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  ~~~ Luke 2:15-16, New International Version

When I was young, we lived in several parts of the country.  Most holidays would be marked with a family gathering and shared meal.  Whatever relatives were nearby and available were part of those events, and the role of host home was rotated among all.

But Christmas was different. Christmas morning was a time for my sister and I to be with our parents.  We’d play Christmas carols on the record player, stay in our pajamas most of the morning, try out new toys, and enjoy the sparkly “icicles” and lights on the tree.  Later, dinner would be a special meal prepared by both Mom and Dad.  Regardless of where we were living at the time, the time together made it special.

As in the original Christmas story, when Mary and Joseph celebrated the birth of Jesus in their makeshift home, the specific location of the home was less important than being together.

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.):  Help me to sit quietly in hope, and to close my eyes to create space to entrust myself to you, O God.  Amen.

Wanda G., Morgan Hill United Methodist Church

 

Day 4, December 4, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

Inside Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” ~~~ Matthew 2:1-2

Have you driven through a long and dark tunnel? I do not like tunnels, because the darkness makes me scared. I often hold hands with others in the darkness. When I visited the Zion National Park, I needed to drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. There is no light in the tunnel, like the above photo. I could not take the photo very well. You might feel how scared I was via this unfocused photo. All I could rely on was holding my wife’s hands and the front car lights that my vehicle projected. It felt like more than a half hour to drive, but there was an end of the tunnel.

This reminds me of the journey of the wise men from the East. They moved at night, because they followed the star. To see the star well, ironically, they needed the darkness. We cannot see the stars during the day, as it is so bright. They might be afraid of the moving at night, or the journey of the foreign country. However, three wise men moved bravely together for this journey of uncertainty. They followed the star with a hope to see the child, even though they had a lot of unknowns. As we all know, at the end, the wise men celebrated the birth of Jesus.

We do not know exactly when this pandemic will end. However, for this journey of the unknown, we can be together bravely like the wise men. We can be together even more smartly via smart devices, unlike the wise men. They were wise, and we are smart as well as wise! Furthermore, we can still follow the star, the light of Christ, which gives us hope and love. At the end of this darkness, we will celebrate together with joy when we meet each other face-to-face!

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): I will bring into my prayer and my heart, hope, for someone who is hurting right now. Amen.

Hwapyoung K., Gilroy United Methodist Church

Thursday, December 3, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

“Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.” – Luke 2:8

GREAT EXPECTATIONS – ADVENT 2020

In 2020 it’s helpful for me to remember that all of us human beings have been living with our pandemic, COVID-19. For this I am truly grateful. It is a great leveling. In every land on this earth, the reality of our mortality has taken center stage. For me this has been a very humbling experience.

In March 2020 when it became clear to me that our viral reality wasn’t “going away” anytime soon, I decided to read one of the gigantic novels by Charles Dickens that have been languishing on my bookshelf: “Great Expectations.” Happily, I was completely unfamiliar with the story. Unhappily I wrestled for months with the trials and tribulations of “Pip” until at last I finished page 500 of the book and… the pandemic was still here. And so was I.

Turning my heart and mind toward Advent now is a great relief. We enjoy keeping watch over our little flock of two dogs (Lily is new to us, Benji is the “old guard”); as they keep watch over us. We await the coming of Christ the King with joyful anticipation. “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, help us to look with the hopeful eyes of Christ on one person or situation that causes us distress. Amen.

Fr. Joseph J., TOCCUSA, UMC Santa Cruz, California

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

~Psalm 100~

As we sit here in our apartment under the Covid quarantine, and unable to leave the room to visit family and friends, we find comfort in God’s love and listen to his council. We have time to spend resting, listening, and reading about the prophecy of the birth of Jesus and teachings. This is the season we call Advent. He taught us through psalms and parables. His teachings have been carried on until the present day and will continue forever. Jesus tells us not to be afraid, that he will be with us always. Love and mercy will be with us always. Love and help your neighbor, not only those that live next door, but those whom you don’t know. Rejoice and be glad.

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, we pray for the part of us that needs God’s light of hope to shine more fully within it. Amen.

Donn and Ruth W., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 . . . An Advent of Hope

“Let all that you do be done in love.” ~~~1 Corinthians 16:14

The gathering of family and friends at any time gives you the feeling of belonging and feeling loved.

When growing up, my family and friends visited during Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.

We always went to church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.

These seasons, especially, give us hope, peace, joy and love to help us know we have support throughout the coming year from family, friends and the love of God.

Prayer for Advent Hope (Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, help us to look for hopeful ways the Divine Light is evident in our lives. Amen.

Pauline T., United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz