Thanks again to ELCA World Hunger for the Advent Series they wrote for 2017, inspired by Rory Cooney’s hymn Canticle of the Turning, an interpretation of Mary’s Magnificat.

We completed our mid-week Advent series Dec. 20 by hearing Howard Thurman’s reflection on Christmas:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flocks,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuilt the nations,

To bring peace among the people,

To make music in the heart.

People reflected on these questions: How can or has our Advent journey prepared us for “the work of Christmas” year-round?

The Advent journey has enabled me to connect with my congregation and have a fuller sense of spiritual connection.

Through the garden that provides food for the hungry.

Advent is to remind us of God’s love that we need to share with our neighbors and all those close to us.

We just need to be still and listen with our hearts.

By learning about Jesus; Sharing soup suppers with everyone; Preparing the food baskets; Fixing the baskets for Trinity New Hope; We need to remember that these things need to be done year-round.

Giving and care for those in need, hands prepared to help, willing to wait.

We are reminded we are God’s people and we are called to serve others.

The message of Advent calls us to action throughout the year, to be advocates for social justice where we live, worship, work and vote.

Advent stresses patient waiting—reminding us to keep working but to be patient until we see results.

Advent is a time of waiting in expectation of great things to come.  This reminds me to remain hopeful for the future and look for goodness in the world.

Working together as a family unit and by helping one another this world is turning!

I believe it brings the church members closer forming memories and relationships which help them go out and help the community.

To prepare our hearts and minds to remember the feeling we experience year-round.