Advent 1: You are a Blessing
Being a blessing isn't simple and it costs us something. Yet, we are still called to be blessings in this world.
Advent has begun. The traditional theme for this week is Hope and our theme is “You are a Blessing.” If you were present in worship, you received a thimble and a zipper pouch. The thimble represents protection. You are a blessing and deserve to be protected.
On the sanctuary wall, there is a painted quilt square representing the Angel Gabriel. Gabriel, is of course, the one who told Mary that she had “found favor with God” and asked her to bring God’s child into the world. This is one Bible story that reveals the true complexity of being blessed.
A blessing, let alone being a blessing, means that the gift has a cost of some sort. Mary brought Jesus into the world at great cost to herself. And she had the grace to keep the story focused on him and not on herself.
We should endeavor to do the same – bring God, Divine Love, into the world and then move out of the way. Our story becomes a story of Love more than one that centers on what we do.
Who has been a blessing to you? How have you been a blessing? How will you continue to be a blessing?
On Sunday we will move from hope and blessings to Peace and Community. The theme for week two is, “We can’t go alone.” Look for the second painted quilt square in the “log cabin” pattern.
You’ll also receive thread for your sewing kit.
If you won’t be in worship at all between now and Christmas Eve and you haven’t already done so, please let me know if you want a complete sewing kit mailed to you or dropped off at your home.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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