Wineskins Advent Reflections: Week 1

When I suggested to Jacob, my eight-year-old son, that we hide baby Jesus from the manger scene on our coffee table, he jumped at the chance. We would put each person or animal out as we read parts of the Christmas story during Advent.

So we not only hid Jesus but also the shepherds, wise men, a lamb, and a donkey.

But Jacob thought Mary needed the donkey. So he tried to balance the Mary figurine on the donkey, but the composite polymer Donkey was frozen in the sitting position, so we both didn't see the point anyway.

So we left Mary to walk and the stubborn donkey to sit and perhaps catch up later.

For many years at Christmas time, I've been a stubborn donkey, and you can substitute the King James Version there if you want. I've simply resisted the season like a donkey, rather than opening myself to new experiences of Advent and simplicity and ways to pass that on to others
and my children.

Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christ coming into the world. So once a week in December, leading up to Christmas, Wineskins will send out Advent Reflections. These will be marked by storytelling about Christ's coming, exhortation to examine our lives, and we'll hear from voices who announced his coming.

We'll also post some of your reflections. Email us.

The following brief reflection and instructions for an Advent Wreath is taken from and inspired by Simple Living.

Advent Wreath
Take a shallow bowl and fill with sand or salt and place four purple candles around the edges, or use candle holders. Place one large white candle in the middle. Make a circle of evergreens and place around the bowl or candle holders.

You need a Bible, matches, and you can also use a manger scene.

Light one candle during this week's reflection. The second week, light two, then three the third week and four the fourth. On Christmas Eve, light all and the middle white candle.

Set aside some time each week for this short ceremony. Invite those who are alone to join you in worship. Use the telephone to join someone. Gather as a family or with friends.

Read and Meditate and Prepare Ourselves
Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Discuss
Are you prepared for this season? Are you already stressed out? Why? Have you considered giving the gift of time this month?

Average Americans consume five times more than Mexicans, ten times more than average Chinese, and twenty times more than average person in India. What do you really need this Christmas?

Are we willing to spend less on ourselves and more to needy people?

OXFAM: Give a donkey this Christmas



Calendar
Plan times to make visits, bake cookies for someone, donate your time or money to charities. Plan your shopping only on certain days. Plan NOT to be going to stores everyday in December but plan this out together. Plan your Advent Reflection times for a certain time together.

Sing
O come, O come, Emmanuel