Tag: Advent candles

Advent I, Candle of Hope

by Steve Harsh, posted in Faith and Values

advent-waiting-img_1492How long, O Lord, how long? Are we there yet? We know the journey to Bethlehem is long, but we need your presence in our broken world right now. We can’t wait any longer. Yes, we know your time is not ours. “1000 years in your sight are like yesterday when it’s gone.” We know, but we still wait like anxious children, full of hope and anticipation.

Advent rituals help us wait and prepare our hearts. So today even as the days grow shorter and shorter, we light the candle of hope to help us find our way to you.

Let us pray:
Gracious God, you know we aren’t very good at waiting. OK, we aren’t good at it at all. We live in a world of instant gratification. We spend money we don’t have in pursuit of stuff that promises satisfaction. We wait exasperated in long Black Friday lines. Forgive our foolish impatience, Lord. Remind us again that the one we are waiting for will come at just the right time because you always deliver on your promises in your time not ours. Our time is one of much anxiety and fear, but because we also live in your time, we live in hope as we wait. In the name of the Christ, hear us we pray. Amen

Christ Candle Drama

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

Narrator: During the 4 weeks of Advent we have had some interesting people from modern and Biblical times help us light the 4 candles on our Advent Wreath. I’m sorry to say that the guest we hoped to have tonight will not be able to be here. We wanted to have one of the Wise Men light the Christ Candle for us, but as you may recall from Matthew’s Gospel, the Wise Men didn’t actually arrive to give their gifts to Baby Jesus until he was almost two years old. So I guess we will have to get by without their wisdom tonight.

Shepherd: [enters from off stage with an attitude] Wait just a minute, please. You don’t think the Magi were the only wise people in the Christmas story, do you? I get pretty tired of those three kings getting all the publicity with their fancy robes and big camels, and expensive gifts. If it hadn’t been for a lot of other smart people the whole Christmas story would never have happened.

Narrator: Excuse me, who might you be and what are you talking about?

Shepherd: Oh, I had a small part in the Christmas story, too; I’m Eli, one of the shepherds who came to the manger.

Narrator: Oh my, I didn’t recognize you, Eli, I mean without your sheep and away from the Nativity scene and all. I’m so sorry. But what were you saying about the other wise people in the Christmas story?

Shepherd: Well, think about it. The story begins with Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. They had to be wise enough to believe God when they were told they would have a child in their old age. And their son, John the Baptist, prepared the way for Jesus and even baptized him. And what about Mary’s fiancé, Joseph? He was wise enough to believe the angel who told him Mary’s baby was really God’s son. Believe me; most guys would not have believed that story.

Narrator: I see your point. These were common ordinary people who were smart enough to trust God with some incredible ideas.

Shepherd: And that’s not all. Think about us shepherds—we didn’t have college degrees, but once we got over the shock of seeing all those angels, we were wise enough to pay attention to the biggest birth announcement in all of history. Everybody else in Bethlehem was too busy to even notice. But we heard God’s message and came running; so we got to be the very first people ever to worship the Christ child.

Narrator: You’re right, that was very wise. And now that I think about it, we’ve left out a very important wise person in this story. There was a certain young peasant girl who got some very shocking news about becoming the mother of God’s son. Mary must have been scared to death!

Shepherd: Yes, I’m sure she was. She told us she didn’t think Joseph or anyone else would believe such a wild story about her baby’s father. But she was smart enough to go to Elizabeth for advice. Mary was wise beyond her years to have the faith to say “yes” to what God was asking her to do. And because of all the wisdom from all those people the history of the world was changed forever. [Pause]

Narrator: Eli, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Would you do us the honor of lighting the Christ Candle tonight, as we celebrate again the birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world? [Eli lights the Christ candle and both exit.]

4th Sunday of Advent, 2013: The candle of love

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

Pastor: We have a special guest to help us light the 4th Advent candle today, the candle of Love. Someone we all know from the Christmas story who’s in all of our nativity scenes—Jospeh of Nazareth. Welcome to Jerome church, Joseph. Most everyone knows a couple of things about you, Joseph. We know you were a carpenter and how surprised you were when Mary gave you the big news about the baby.

Joseph: Yes, that news was really hard to wrap my mind around since we weren’t married yet. I almost lost it. But you know, once I got over that shock, I was more blown away by something even more incredible.

Pastor: Wait a minute! What could possibly be more surprising than a virgin birth?

Joseph: Well, think about it. Look at me. Do I look like a prime candidate for someone to raise God’s son?

Pastor: Well, I wasn’t going to say anything, but now that you brought it up, not really. I guess Dr. Phil might have been a better choice!

Joseph: Yes, or even someone who could afford to raise that special son in comfort and provide a good education for him. How about you, Pastor? Think how much better the schools are in Dublin than they were in Nazareth.

Pastor: Good point. I’ll get back to you on that one. But seriously, why do you think God chose you and Mary? Did everybody else turn him down?

Joseph: I’ve asked myself that a lot. We were poor as church mice – didn’t have two shekels to rub together. And we were in Bethlehem because of the new Roman tax system that was going to take a big bite out of what little we had. It made no sense.

Pastor: So, how did you make peace with the whole idea?

Joseph: I had this dream and God told me it would be OK. He said people would call our baby’s name Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” When I heard that I remembered how God has always been with people who needed him the most – like the Hebrew slaves escaping from Egypt, or the Exiles in Babylon. God knows that the meek and lowly need help the most. For years and years, my people waited for the Messiah to come. We believed that when the Messiah comes there will be no more suffering. But as I thought about all that history, I realized that’s not it. The truth is that God loves all of his children, especially those who need love the most. God chose simple peasant people like Mary and me to be Christ’s parents to show the world what God’s love means. It’s in places like Bethlehem, exactly where there is suffering, that’s where the Messiah comes.

Pastor: Where there is suffering, that’s where the Messiah comes. (pause) Joseph, thank you for helping us better understand the depth of God’s love. Would you do us the honor of lighting the Candle of love as we sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel?”

3rd Sunday of Advent Conspiracy: Give More

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

[Husband is on stage looking through his calendar on his phone as wife hurries in carrying several loaded shopping bags]

H: Hey Hon, I’m looking at the calendar. We’ve got a ton of stuff going on in the next few weeks. When are we going to find the time to shop for everyone?

Wife: Don’t worry, I got some done today [she holds up the bags] and I have calculated the amount of time we can spend looking for each gift to be approximately 4.7 minutes. I’ve even added some extra time in this year so we can make everyone’s gift a bit more meaningful. That is really important to me you know.

H: Good thinking. (continues to look at phone naming his calendar engagements quickly and out loud) Office Christmas party, School play, Cookie exchange, Bake sale, Blood drive, food drive, Block party, Christmas Cantata, Shop for presents, Concert, Hockey tournament, Sports banquet, Decorate office, Decorate house, Decorate yard, [sighs to catch breath] progressive dinner

W: And don’t forget about the gift certificates for the letter carrier, and the UPS driver, and the garbage guys, and the landscapers. Oh, and we need to get those packages sent to your aunt and uncle in Florida or they won’t make it before Christmas. Let’s not forget those replacement bulbs for the outdoor lights… Can you go through the junk mail there and see if we got Christmas cards from anyone we need to add to our list. I don’t want to waste a card on anyone who won’t reciprocate!

H: [Roots through the mail and then looks again at list and calendar] Are we going to Church for Christmas?

W: I don’t think we have scheduled that yet. (notices his look of concern) What’s wrong?

H: I don’t know, I love this time of year, but something just does not seem right, (pause)… it is as if (continues to look through mail) something’s missing.

W: I know, it’s that card from the Johnsons. Keep looking

H: (Husband continues to look in the mail and finds flyer on alternative giving) What’s this?

W: Not another bill I hope!

H: No, this flyer on gift giving. [Holding up catalog from Heifer Project]

W: I don’t know, what does it say?

H: This is great! It says, “Simplify your gift giving this year!” I like the sound of that! (Opens flyer) This would be great for your brother… “Because you want to get someone’s goat.”

W: You want to get my brother a goat?

H: I don’t want to get your brother a goat, I want to buy one in his name for someone living in Rwanda. It says here, a goat provides milk to drink and sell. One goat can do more good for people who really need it than that combination universal TV remote/ hair trimmer we were planning on getting your brother.

W: You may have a point there, let me see that. (Woman looks through flyer and stops excitedly) How about this idea? “Because you are warm and caring.”

(Husband pumps himself up, thinking she is talking about him.)

W: This would be great for my mother!
(Husband pantomimes shaking head and saying a big NO. Wife gives him a dirty look)

H: I mean yes dear!

W: (continues reading) Give someone a warm fuzzy feeling with a blanket, providing warmth, comfort and most importantly the feeling that someone cares. 2 blankets for 10 dollars.
How much was that deluxe anniversary edition of The History of Chia Pets we were going to get your Aunt Mable?

H: $49.99

W: (shakes head) Wow, we could change our gift giving habits and do a lot of good this year, for not much money. Your Aunt always gives to charities, and she would be the first to say she doesn’t really need anything. She would love this idea…and I bet other people on our list would too.

H: Great idea!

(Wife hurriedly starts grabbing all the bags)

H: What are you doing?

W: If I hurry I can return this stuff before the Mall closes. [She exits]

H: [Pause and walk to Advent Wreath] Our Advent prayer for all of us this year is that we find the true Joy of Christmas by worshiping fully and giving more gifts that bring real peace and joy. As I light the 3rd Advent Candle, the Candle of Joy, please join in singing the first three verses of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

[Jerome UMC, December 15, 2013, with thanks to my friend, Kathryn Manecke, co-author of this skit]

Advent II Drama: Wisdom and Peace

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

REPORTER: Good morning friends, and thanks for tuning into WJER’s Advent Update. Today’s special guest is Balthazar, one of the three Magi or Wise Men who are famous for delivering the very first Christmas presents ever to Baby Jesus. Mr. Balthazar, thank you so much for taking time to talk with us.

BALTHAZAR: It’s my pleasure, Carol. This time of year always brings back fond memories.

REPORTER: And what is your favorite memory of that first Christmas? Was it the long hard journey to Bethlehem? Or perhaps it was seeing the love Mary and Joseph had for their little son?

BALTHAZAR: All of those things were very special, but there was another critical moment on our trip that sticks out most clearly in my mind, even after all these years. We were passing through a small city called Sychar, and like most cities there was a market in the city center. We stopped to water our camels, and one of the traders offered us a whole wagon load of furs and wonderful wool blankets in exchange for the gold and frankincense we were taking to the Christ child. We had been through some very hard cold nights on our trip, and those blankets looked soooo good. People always think lots of heat when they think of deserts and camels. It’s hot out there in the daytime, but it gets very cold at night that time of the year.

REPORTER: And you’d been on the road for a long time, hadn’t you?

BALTHAZAR: Yes, almost two years. Jesus was a toddler and almost potty-trained by the time we found him. So we were getting discouraged, wondering if it was all a wild goose chase following that star. I was ready to buy those blankets and furs and get warm.

REPORTER: So what happened?

BALTHAZAR: Well, Caspar and I were ready to trade, but Melchior, the third magi proved he was the real wise one. He reminded us that this Christmas journey wasn’t about us, it was about Jesus. The gold and frankincense and myrrh were specifically meant for a new king, and our hearts would not have found peace until we delivered those special gifts to that special child. And do you know what? The star we were following was brighter and our travel easier after we made the choice to do what God had called us to do–instead of what was easier for us.

REPORTER: Thanks for sharing your story with us Balthazar. [Balthazar exits and Reporter walks to Advent Wreath]. Balthazar’s story is an important lesson for us. We find God’s true peace when we remember whose birthday it is, and do what God has called us to do. So, on this second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Peace as we sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

[Written for worship at Jerome United Methodist Church, December 8, 2013]

Advent Conspiracy

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

Jerome United Methodist Church has enrolled this year as a co-conspirator in a national movement to reclaim the celebration of Christmas from Cultural Consumerism. The themes for the Advent Conspiracy are to Worship-fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All. As part of that theme, what follows is a skit I wrote for the lighting of the first Advent Candle.

Steve: As is the tradition in most churches, on this first Sunday of Advent, we light a candle on the Advent wreath to remind us of the hope Christ’s birth brings at this time of the year and all year long.
[Steve’s cell phone rings and he looks at the phone, looks around at others asking if it’s their phone, and then sheepishly admits it’s his.]
Excuse me, this is from a friend I’ve been trying to reach for a several days, and I’m really concerned about him.
Hey Frank, what’s up? No, it’s not really the best time. It’s Sunday morning — I’m in church. Is everything OK? Where are you?

What? You’re still shopping! Since Friday morning? You’ve got to be kidding me! Wait, that means you missed the game yesterday with the black and blue, I mean the maize and blue? Frank, come on man, there are no bargains worth 50 hours of shopping and missing the biggest game of the year. What were you thinking? [Pause to listen]
Whoa, hold on a minute – there are a lot of people here who aren’t believing this conversation. Let me put you on speaker phone so they won’t think I’m just making this up. [Pushes speaker phone button].
OK, now say that again, slowly.

Frank: [excitedly, over mic from off stage] You wouldn’t believe the fantastic bargains, Steve. We got a new 60 inch 3-D TV for half price and then of course we needed new furniture for my man cave so I can watch it in comfort. You’ll have to come over next week for the Big 10 Championship game! And Menard’s had all kinds of stuff marked way down for the improvements we’ve been wanting to do on our house. I can’t believe how much we’ve saved. And there are still great bargains left, too. You can’t afford to miss this. Can you cut the sermon short? How soon can you get out of church?

Steve: Ah, Thanks, Frank, but it sounds like you’ve done enough shopping for both of us. I still can’t believe you missed the best day of college football ever!

Frank: Oh, they had it on a hundred TV’s at Best Buy. Not a problem.

Steve: Whatever. I don’t think that counts. I am confused, though– all that stuff still doesn’t sound like it would take two and a half days to buy. Did you get Christmas presents for everyone on your list too? I mean that’s sort of what this crazy weekend is all about, isn’t it?

Frank: Oh, we’re just now getting to our Christmas list. Macy’s and Kohl’s had such great sales on clothes that we spent hours looking for things that fit. I think clothes sizes are running a lot smaller than they used to. My normal sizes just don’t seem to fit anymore. We didn’t even take time to go out to eat. Do you know Pizza Hut will deliver right to the dressing room at Macy’s?

Steve: No, [shaking head and rolling eyes] I didn’t know that, Frank. Is there an app for that? You know, I’m worn out just thinking about this. So where are you now?

Frank: Oh, we’re at Big Lots. We spent so much money on all those great bargains we have to cut some corners now on gifts for family and friends. I better get back to shopping, Steve, just wanted to let you know what great stuff you’re missing. [He hangs up]

Steve: That’s funny, Frank, I was just going to say the very same thing to you. You didn’t just miss a great game; you’re missing the whole point of Christmas! Frank? Frank? I guess he’s gone – I’ll have to tell him later what he’s missing—like the whole purpose of the season, don’t you think?

[Puts phone away and walks back to Advent Wreath] Wow! Do you believe that? I sure hope Jesus doesn’t get lost in all that stuff. I’m so sorry for that interruption. I don’t know about you, but after that, I think we need to pray. Please pray with me.

O God, remind us again that Advent is a season when we prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of the Messiah. It’s a time to worship and ponder the true reason for this season; to give thanks for all of your blessings. And one of the great gifts we receive from you, O God, especially at Christmas is the gift of Hope. Without hope, we cannot make it through the dark and difficult seasons of our lives. So bless us with your spirit as we light the Candle of Hope, in the name of the coming, present, living and Eternal Christ. Amen.

As I light the candle of Hope, please join in singing the first verse of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

Joseph: Lessons of Love

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

[Note:  This is the brief drama for lighting the 4th Advent candle at Jerome UMC]

[First 3 Advent candles are lit at the beginning of the service]

Interviewer:    Can you feel the anticipation, church, as our extraordinary journey draws so close to the big day?  Three candles are already glowing on our Advent Wreath.  Along the way we have talked with Zechariah about Hope, with Mary about Faith, and last week with an angel about Joy.  On this 4th and final Sunday of Advent our special guest is a carpenter from Nazareth.

[Joseph enters dressed in contemporary work clothes wearing a tool belt, pencil behind his ear]

Interviewer:    Thank you for coming to share your story with us, Joseph.  How would you describe your experience of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth?

Joseph:    My journey began with our prearranged marriage.  Our parents certainly picked well for me.  Mary was so beautiful and she has such a strong faith.  I was truly blessed to have a wife of such noble character.  The custom for us is to wait an entire year after we were engaged before the marriage vows are finalized.  That year of being apart and waiting seemed like forever.  But Mary was worth the wait because I loved her.

Interviewer:    But I understand that your waiting turned out to be much harder than you expected.

Joseph:    That’s an understatement!  There was a night that left me feeling so cold and alone, in total shock.  Mary’s news broke my heart when she told me she was pregnant.  My head was spinning and my heart pounding.  I knew I wasn’t the father?   I was so hurt and angry and confused.  I wrestled with my decision all night long.  How could I marry her now?  I wanted to just divorce her quietly.   But I knew the punishment for adultery was death by stoning.  I couldn’t let that happen to my dear Mary.

Interviewer:    What a terrible dilemma!  How did you ever decide what to do?

Joseph:    The answer came to me in a dream.  An angel appeared to me and said, “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is the result of a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit.”  The angel said, “You will name the baby Jesus, because he will save the people from their sins.”  When I woke up I knew what I should do.  The stars were brighter and my heart lighter as I ran to tell Mary my decision.  I decided I would be the best husband and father I could possibly be.

Interviewer:    What was the most important thing you learned from this amazing journey?

Joseph:    Oh we learned a lot through some very turbulent times.  I got another message from God when Jesus was very tiny warning us that Herod was going to kill all the baby boys, and we had to flee to Egypt to save Jesus’ life.  Being a father to such an unusual boy wasn’t easy, but through it all God has taught us so much about love – love for each other and God’s love for us and ours for Him.  The real miracle was that God’s son became my son too.  He was bonded into my life by love.

Interviewer:    What an incredible story.  [Lighting the 4th candle]   As we light this 4th Advent candle, may the love Joseph showed for Jesus grow in each of our hearts as well.

Messengers of Joy

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

[Note:  This is the 3rd in a series of Advent Dramas for lighting the candles of Advent at Jerome United Methodist  Church this Advent.]

Interviewer:    Good morning, church, and welcome to the 3rd Sunday of Advent.  Our Advent journey is moving closer to Bethlehem.  The spirit of Christmas is in the air, and today our Advent guest is one of the messengers of God’s joy to the world.

[Angel enters to some kind of musical fanfare (“Angels We Have Heard on High”).  Angel is  dressed in contemporary clothes and looks like any typical member of the congregation.]

[Interviewer looks around for someone else, looking very confused and surprised]

Angel:    Peace and joy to you my friend.  You look surprised to see me.  [She checks a date book or map]  This is Jerome UMC isn’t it?  That’s where I’m supposed to be today.

Interviewer:     Yes, it is, but … I was expecting an angel……  And, well, I’m sorry, but you don’t look like an angel.

Angel:    I get that a lot.  We try to fit in, you know, so people don’t freak out.  It makes it a lot easier to get our message heard if people aren’t in shock.

Interviewer:    That makes sense.  I hadn’t thought about it that way.  So, tell us about the message the angels delivered that first Christmas.  Angels show up quiet often in that story.

Angel:    We really do, don’t we!   First Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple to tell him that his prayers for a son had been heard and would be answered.  And then Gabe was back again 6 months later to tell Mary that God was with her in a very special way.  And that dear girl responded with such amazing faith and became the mother of God’s Messiah.

Interviewer:    It must be wonderful to bring such messages of joy to people.

Angel:    Oh, it’s incredible fun, but there’s more.  Angels spoke to Joseph several times in his dreams.  We really carried him through that whole process.

Interviewer:    So do angels always work so quietly, behind the scenes?

Angel:    Oh, Heavens No!  At Bethlehem we all turned out in full force to deliver our biggest message of all.  We told the shepherds where to find the newborn king and broadcast good news to the entire world.

Interviewer:    Wow.  So as we anticipate that marvelous event in just two weeks, would you help me light the candle of  joy?

Angel:    I would love to.

Interviewer:    Joy to the World, the Savior Reigns!

[They light the candle together and exit the stage as congregation sings “Angels We Have Heard on High” or “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”]

Advent Drama: Mary’s journey from fear to faith

by Steve Harsh, posted in Christian Discipleship, Faith and Values

Note: This is the second of a series of brief dramas for lighting the candles of Advent written for Jerome UMC.

Interviewer:     On this second Sunday of Advent we continue our journey toward Christmas.  Last Sunday we heard about Zechariah’s transition from doubt to hope, and we lit the first Advent candle representing Hope.  [he/she lights the candle]

Today we turn our attention to Faith, and our guest from biblical times is a woman of tremendous Faith, Mary the mother of Jesus.

[Mary enters in biblical costume]

Interviewer:     Welcome Mary.  Please share with us how you felt when you first learned you were to be the mother of God’s Son.

Mary:   I was totally shocked when an angel showed up out of nowhere and told me I was to be the mother of the Messiah!  Me!  A poor young woman engaged to a carpenter.  Why would God choose us to raise his son?  I was scared to death!

Interviewer:     So you and Joseph were engaged but not married yet?

Mary:   That’s right, and you can’t imagine what my family and the townspeople would say about that.  And what could I tell Joseph?  He’d never believe God was the father of my baby!  Nobody would.   Joseph would assume I had been unfaithful to him.  That was considered adultery, and the punishment for that was death by stoning!  I was really scared!

Interviewer:     I can’t imagine how terrified you must have been.  How did you ever handle it?

Mary:   It was really strange.  The angel told me that God was with me.  He said, “Nothing is impossible with God,” and being a devout Jewish girl, I knew this was true.  My faith came over me and calmed my fear.  I suddenly just knew that I could trust God completely.  And from a place deep inside me I said, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.”

Interviewer:     All of us are called to be such faithful servants who know that with God all things are possible.  [Mary lights candle as Interviewer speaks]  As we light the second Candle of Advent may it light the way on our journey from fear to faith.