Story: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (p. 791, Pew Bible)
Theme: Word of Life
Title: “A Transformational Breath”
Reflection: Ezekiel – Peace
“The season of Advent reflects the image and understanding of God who can, and did, take what was forlorn and decrepit and breathed new life into it. The clarion call of the prophets, familiar during the season of Advent, was that God’s creation had become a place that was ‘dead’ to God’s ways. Humanity had traveled off course, had diverted far from what mattered, and had traveled so far down this road that there was no turning back without the intervention of God. The prophet voices called for a change; they called for God to take what had withered, turned sour and was on its way to death, and breathe new life into it, in order that collectively humanity would raise itself, return to God, and thrive. We can see in the Incarnation the power of God at work; changing things through love. God came as new life, and in the new life of Jesus, a process was started that continued through the unfolding events of his childhood, his ministry, death, and resurrection, towards the consummation of new life offered by God. God provided a new gospel and command to love. The Holy Spirit was energized to breathe life into what was lifeless and into something teeming with the goodness of God. In this season of Advent, how do we reflect this new life? It is not enough just to dig out the boxes of decorations and hang them as they have been hung in our churches and homes for years. The traditions of the season have their place, yet if the same old, same old is all there is to the season, we are falling far short of what God needs of us today. This season is about mixing all that we have at our disposal – the old hangings, the familiar carols, the parties and social events – with the opportunity to be influenced by the reminders of new life in God, which are offered in the Advent stories we hear in church, and ponder in our own time. The season is about the life that God brings to us and to the world: a life that is transformed and transforming.” (Spill the Beans, Volume 25)
Music We Will Sing:
*HYMN (verse 2, Insert) “Advent Song” (LIGHT THE ADVENT CANDLE)
*HYMN #82 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” (HYFRYDOL)
*HYMN #108 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)
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