#stbsadvent #ocome #stbs12days

T H E O A N T I P H O N S … . 3 I N V I TAT I O N TO A D V E N T. . . . 4

A D V E N T W O R D S … . 5 I N V I TAT I O N TO C H R I S T M A S T I D E . . . . 7

T H E 1 2 D AY S . . . . 8 E P I P H A N Y … . 2 0

Table of Contents:

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

O Sacred Lord of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people:come to save us without delay!

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Rising Sun, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

T H E A N T I P H O N S A R E , I N FA C T, A C O L L A G E O F O L D T E S TA M E N T T Y P E S O F C H R I S T.   T H E I R P R E D O M I N A N T T H E M E I S M E S S I A N I C ,   S T R E S S I N G T H E H O P E O F T H E S AV I O R ' S C O M I N G .   J E S U S I S I N V O K E D B Y VA R I O U S T I T L E S , M A I N LY TA K E N F R O M T H E P R O P H E T I S A I A H .  

I N L AT I N T H E I N I T I A L S O F T H E T I T L E S , W I S D O M ( S A P I E N T I A I N L AT I N ) , R U L E R O F T H E H O U S E O F I S R A E L ( A D O N A I ) , R O OT O F J E S S E ( R A D I X ) , K E Y O F D AV I D ( C L AV I S ) , R I S I N G D A W N ( O R I E N S ) , K I N G O F T H E G E N T I L E S ( R E X ) , A N D E M M A N U E L , M A K E A N A C R O S T I C W H I C H , W H E N R E A D B A C K W A R D S M E A N S : " TO M O R R O W I W I L L B E T H E R E " ( " E R O C R A S ” ) .

TODAY THE O ANTIPHONS ARE MOST FAMILIAR TO US IN THE HYMN "O COME, O COME EMMANUEL”.   ( C ) 2 0 0 0 J E A N N E K U N

The O Antiphons: Sunday Sermon Series

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T H I S A D V E N T, W E I N V I T E YO U TO J O I N T H E R E S T O F T H E A N G L I C A N

C O M M U N I O N I N C R E AT I N G A G L O B A L A D V E N T C A L E N D A R T H R O U G H

C O N S I D E R I N G A S E T O F A D V E N T W O R D S O F F E R E D B Y T H E S O C I E T Y O F S T. J O H N T H E E VA N G E L I S T, A N A N G L I C A N / E P I S C O PA L O R D E R O F

M O N K S .

I T S E E M S V E R Y F I T T I N G A N D T I M E LY T H I S A D V E N T TO I N T E N T I O N A L LY

J O I N O U R P R AY E R S W I T H OT H E R S F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O R L D .

I T I S O U R H O P E T H AT A S O U R P R AY E R S D E E P E N T H I S A D V E N T T H R O U G H R E F L E C T I N G O N T H E

N AT U R E O F C H R I S T F O U N D I N T H E S E V E N H I S TO R I C O A N T I P H O N S , O U R G A Z E W O U L D W I D E N I N V I T I N G J E S U S

TO C O M E A N D B E I N C A R N AT E T H R O U G H T H E S E A D V E N T W O R D S

A N D I N TO T H E W O R L D A R O U N D U S .

O C O M E . O C O M E .

St. B’s Advent 2015

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O N E W O R D F O R E A C H D AY O F A D V E N T.

1. R e s p o n d t o t h e w o r d f o r t h e d a y b y t a k i n g a p h o t o , w r i t i n g a p r a y e r / p o e m , o r d r a w i n g a p i c t u r e . Yo u m a y p o s t t h e p h o t o t o s o c i a l m e d i a o r e m a i l i t t o s c h a m b e r s @ s t b s . n e t .

2. T h i s c a n b e d o n e b y i n d i v i d u a l s , f a m i l i e s , c h i l d r e n a n d a d u l t s .

3. Po s t t h e p h o t o t o I n s t a g r a m , F a c e b o o k , o r Tw i t t e r u s i n g t h r e e t a g s : # A d v e n t W o r d # s t b s a d v e n t & t h e t a g o f t h e d a y .

A. To p o s t t o f a c e b o o k : g o t o t h e A d v e n t W o r d . o r g P a g e , p o s t , a n d t a g .

B. To p o s t t o i n s t a g r a m o r t w i t t e r s i m p l y p o s t w i t h t h e t a g s .

C. B e s u r e t h e r e i s a s p a c e b e t w e e n t a g s .

4. I f y o u w i s h t o r e c e i v e a d i r e c t e m a i l w i t h t h e a d v e n t w o r d a n d m e d i t a t i o n f o r t h e d a y , g o t o a n g l i c a n c o m m u n i o n . o r g / a d v e n t w o r d a n d s i g n u p . W e w i l l a l s o i n c l u d e t h e A d v e n t w o r d s i n o u r d a i l i e s .

5. A n y o n e c a n v i e w t h e g l o b a l a d v e n t c a l e n d a r a t S t . B ’ s o n S u n d a y o r a t a n y t i m e d u r i n g t h e w e e k a t t h e f o l l o w i n g :

w w w . i n s t a g r a m . c o m / a d v e n t w o r d w w w . t w i t t e r . c o m / a d v e n t w o r d w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / A d v e n t W o r d O r g

AdventWords

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Nov 29 #WakeUp Nov 30 #Proclaim Dec 1 #Give Dec 2 #Forgive Dec 3 #Repent Dec 4 #Worship Dec 5 #Believe Dec 6 #Care Dec 7 #Be Dec 8 #Surprise Dec 9 #Ask Dec 10 #Dare Dec 11 #Shine

Dec 12 #Wait Dec 13 #Wonder Dec 14 #Accept Dec 15 #Listen Dec 16 #Invite Dec 17 #Desire Dec 18 #Prepare Dec 19 #Hope Dec 20 #Look Dec 21 #Experience Dec 22 #Pray Dec 23 #Reflect Dec 24 #Receive

Tag with #Adventword, #stbsadvent, and ...

AdventWords

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However you choose to reflect and participate is great. Ultimately this is about you preparing for Christmas. This is between you and God. You can’t do it wrong.

IT IS TOO EASY TO SLIDE ALONG WITH OUR CULTURE, ALLOWING THE HYPE AND HOPE OF

CHRISTMAS TO FADE AWAY AS WE CRUMPLE AND TOSS THE WRAPPING PAPER. BUT THERE IS

ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE. DON’T PUT AWAY THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS JUST YET; LEAVE

THEM UP UNTIL JANUARY 6. DON’T STOP LISTENING TO CHRISTMAS CAROLS; PLAY

SEVERAL OF THEM EACH DAY. DON’T STOP SAYING “MERRY CHRISTMAS”; CONTINUE WITH

THIS GREETING, EVEN IF IT CONFUSES THE NEIGHBORS. CELEBRATE ALL 12 DAYS OF

CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

ONE DAY OF CELEBRATION AND CONTEMPLATION DOES NOT SUFFICE FOR CHRISTMAS. TWELVE

DAYS IS A GOOD BEGINNING.

AND SO WE INVITE YOU TO CONTEMPLATE AND CELEBRATE EACH DAY OF CHRISTMAS.

HOW HAS GOD COME? HOW HAS EARTH BEEN INFUSED WITH HEAVEN? CHOOSE INSTEAD TO

ASK HOW HAS “NORMAL” LIFE HAS BEEN INVADED BY THE INCARNATION? HOW HAS GOD

ANSWERED OUR ADVENT PRAYERS WITH: I-HAVE-COME?

St. B’s Christmastide #stbs12days

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CHRISTMAS DAY

This would be a good day to stop all activity in the middle of gift exchange (or gift opening if you have small children) and read the Christmas story in an age appropriate translation and then discuss why we get gifts on the celebration of Jesus birthday when normally we give gifts to the person with the birthday.

Make a point of discussing what you might give Jesus and why.

WORSHIP

Go to church this morning. It’s appropriate. This sets precedence for the day and keeps the family in mind of the real reason for the season.

At St. B’s children are encouraged to bring a quiet toy to church and to bring it forward during the offertory as a reminder that all our gifts are ultimately from God…. These gifts will be put on the altar and given back to the children when they come forward to receive communion.

The First Day of Christmas #stbs12days #fridaydec25

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN

Other parts of the world call the second day of Christmas, Boxing Day. The day’s name goes back to Stephen the first deacon and martyr. The deacons were charged with caring for the poor, the widows, and the orphans. So in honor of Stephen, gifts were given to those less fortunate on the day after Christmas. Servants in the big manor houses, who worked on Christmas Day, were given the day off to celebrate with their families.

GIVE

Yesterday we celebrated. We shared boxes with those we love. Today consider how you might share a gift of Christmas with someone in need. Maybe it’s a conversation with a Contributor vendor. Maybe it’s cookies for a shelter. Maybe it’s a treat for our RITI guests this evening. Maybe it’s a visit to an elderly neighbor. Maybe it’s a gift card in the mail to someone who is struggling.

Consider being counter cultural through the 12 days. Add an ornament to the tree each day as a reminder that Christmas keeps on building until the Epiphany on January 6.

The Second Day of Christmas #stbs12days #saturdaydec26

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US

How do we wrap our minds around something so mysterious without boxing God into what our finite minds can comprehend? Maybe a place to start is to open up that box and let God out.   What does that box look like to you? Is it wrapped tightly for fear of what’s inside? Or, is it wrapped as a child would wrap. A present that beckons, “Open this. I’ve made this especially for you.”   God is with us. His desire is to be loved and shared with all His creation. He wants to remove the fears, the pain, the pride that keeps Him placed in that sealed box.  

PRESENCE

Celebrate that God is with us by being present with others. Choose a way to be intentionally and specially present to someone you know, just as God is present with us. It might be a note, a call, a visit, coffee, a game, lunch, or you name it.

The Third Day of Christmas #stbs12days #sundaydec27

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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THE FEAST OF JOHN, THE APOSTLE & EVANGELIST

On this fourth day of Christmas revisit the story of Jesus’ birth and think about the shepherds and what the events around the birth meant to them. How did it disrupt them? Who looked after their sheep while they were looking for this baby? What are we willing to let go of for Jesus’ sake?

RELINQUISH

As you begin to clean up this Christmas, why not think about relinquishing some of the things that you have collected over the years. Even though there may be some emotional connection to the things in your closet or toy chest, let the new gifts this Christmas replace some of the things you already have. Gather them up and pass them on to Good Will or another charity that helps those less fortunate that you.

This is a good practice for the whole of the year. When you get something new, give something away rather than simply stockpiling in your closet or toy chest.

The Fourth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #mondaydec28

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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THE FEAST OF HOLY INNOCENTS

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

Strange, perhaps, that we remember the death of children during the ongoing celebration of the birth of Jesus. Yet this is among the many gifts that Jesus brings — his presence in the midst of even the deepest grief. On this fifth day of Christmas, we celebrate the One born into our pain who bears our pain, the One who walks and weeps with us through grief into comfort, through death into resurrection.

COMFORT

Most of us know that the holidays can be among the darkest times of the year for those who walk in grief, loneliness, and depression. Think of a person or family you know who may be sad or lonely, and reach out. Send a card; drop off a bag of fun food on their porch; invite them over for tea or out for a walk; give them a call.

If you are the lonely, depressed, or grieving one, do the same. And if you receive an invitation…accept it!

The Fifth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #tuesdaydec29

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, KING OF NATIONS

What does it mean for the One born on Christmas Day to be “King of the Nations?” How does Jesus challenge and uproot all our notions of a king, and yet fulfill them beyond our wildest hopes? John’s gospel tells us that after the feeding of the five thousand, that they were about to come and take him and make him King but he withdrew. What kind of king was that great crowd looking for. What did Jesus have in mind instead? Jesus’ death as a criminal puts to death our understanding of what king means in the kingdom that Christ inaugurated. Does your vision of God’s authority over you, over our nation, over the entire world look more like one in which Jesus breaks free of the cross in wrath, vanquishing his enemies, or in which he pleads for their forgiveness before giving up his last breath?

CROWNS

Mary’s Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55, speaks of the mighty being cast down from their thrones and the lowly being lifted up. Take some time today to see some Christmas lights. The lights sparkle a bit like gems in a crown. As you look at the beauty of the lights, consider who in your life or in this world needs lifting up, adorned by God with a crown of beauty.

If you have any British Christmas Crackers, pull a few today. Put on the paper crowns and remember how silly we look when we try to be King of our world.

The Sixth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #wednesdaydec30

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, THE RISING SUN

At the center of our theology is the notion that God’s justice is as powerful as light in that wherever light is, darkness cannot exist. While Jesus was here, he demonstrated what this work looked like in the flesh. He healed the sick, spoke truth to power, and showed kindness to outcasts. In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he charges his followers by saying that we are, in fact, bearers of this light as well. We are the ones who are to look for the widowed, the orphaned, the naked, and the imprisoned and strive for justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being.

SHINE

Use your Christmas momentum to bring the light of justice during a less popular time to serve. Open your calendar and pick out a day in January to go and be light in the world. Sign up to volunteer at your favorite non-profit, set aside a Saturday for an all-day community project, or pick an afternoon to visit one of St. B’s shut-ins. Where is God calling you to be light?

The Seventh Day of Christmas #stbs12days #thursdaydec31

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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THE FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME

The Lord God said when time was full He would shine His light in the darkness He said a virgin would conceive And give birth to the promise

For a thousand years the dreamers dreamt And hoped to see His love But the promise showed their wildest dreams Had simply not been wild enough

The promise was love and the promise was life The promise meant light to the world Living proof Jehovah saves For the name of the promise was Jesus (Michael Card)

NAME

Find a simple sugar cookie recipe and make the dough with family or friends. Shape the dough into the letters of Jesus’s name and bake them. Eat them together, and tell stories of promises made and kept, and stories that show evidence of Jesus as love, life, and light.

The Eighth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #fridayjan1

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, KEY OF DAVID

Good news; but if you ask me what it is, I know not. It is a track of feet in the snow, It is a lantern showing a path,

It is a door set open. --G. K. Chesterton

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isa 22:22) Can you think of a time in your life when someone made a way for you that you could not have made for yourself? Have you ever thought or said to someone, “There is no way I can ever repay you or thank you enough for what you’ve done for me”?

KEYS

First, if you were reminded in the above reflection of a particular person who made a way for you in a time of need, thank that person today! Write a note, make a phone call, show your gratitude.

Then to go a step further, create something key-shaped to inspire meditation on Christ as our key into the gate of God’s kingdom. Maybe even hang it on your Christmas tree.

The Ninth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #saturdayjan2

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, ROOT OF JESSE

Picture a tree stump from which the root of Jesse grows. What type of tree was it? Why was it cut down? Why was the stump left?

Now, picture the tiny, seemingly insignificant green shoot on the side of this stump. Where is it peeking out: near the top, near the bottom? In your mind’s eye is it difficult to picture life from what appeared dead…color in the midst of darkness?

You are part of the root of Jesse. Are you ready to see God bring forth life from lifeless situations….if so, where?     

LIFE

Take a walk today by yourself or with friends or families. Look for green shoots and other signs of life in this winter time. Take time to take a photo, to journal, to sketch, or to compose words or music. If you are inclined, share what you found with some one from the St. B’s family.

The Tenth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #sundayjan3

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, SACRED LORD

When God used Moses to rescue the Hebrew people from slavery, their first act as a free people was to enter into a covenant with God. In time, the people called this pact "Torah." Torah was not unlike a marriage contract; it told the whole world that Israel had a God who loves them, and in response they agreed to obey him in particular ways to demonstrate to others their love for him, and to remain in relationship with him. Jesus, God incarnate, established by the cross a new covenant between God and his people, one based on grace and truth (John 1.16-17). This grace and truth clear the way for our obedience to flow from transformed hearts, rather than a cycle of failed attempts to keep Torah. The more we learn about the nature of the incarnate Lord, the deeper we are able to embody the ways of God's people.

FIRE

Make a fire today either outside or inside. If you don’t have access to a fire, then light some candles. Consider the fire and flames. Remember Moses and the burning bush. Remember that you are called by God just like Moses. Consider what needs transforming in your life so that you can better answer God’s calling.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas #stbs12days #mondayjan4

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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JESUS, WISDOM OF OUR GOD

It’s the last day of Christmas, a.k.a. Twelfth Night and Epiphany Eve. Sadly it’s also almost time to take down the Christmas decorations. That is, all but two sets of lights since tomorrow is Epiphany.

Epiphany, literally meaning the “shining forth,” is the season of light. And like the Magi concluded, this light is worth another party (Matt. 2:2). Where has the light shone through this Christmastide? What “epiphanies” (big or small) has God made known?

LIGHTS

Pick up a traditional Twelfth Night cake (King’s cake) to welcome in the Epiphany Festival of Light or make some star-shaped cookies for the Epiphany party at St. B’s.

Celebrate with another Twelfth Night tradition of chalking the doorposts. You could decide to chalk the rooms within your house or chalk your friend’s front doors. Traditionally you would write 20+C+M+B+16, referring to the names of three of the Magi. More recently it has also come to mean Christus mansionem benedicat, may Christ bless this house.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas #stbs12days #tuesdayjan5

Something to Contemplate

Ways to Celebrate

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EPIPHANY CONCLUDES THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. IT MARKS THE VISIT OF THE MAGI, THE BAPTISM OF JESUS, AND THE FIRST MIRACLE AT

CANA AND HENCE CELEBRATES THE LIGHT BEING MADE KNOWN TO THE WORLD.

PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE EPIPHANY AS A CHURCH FAMILY ON SUNDAY,

JANUARY 10, FROM 5 - 7 P.M. WITH A CHILI SUPPER AND BONFIRE.

CHRISTMAS TREES FOR THE BONFIRE CAN BE LEFT NEAR THE FIRE PIT AT ANY TIME BEFORE

THE 10TH.

CONSIDER BRINGING A CHILI (WE NEED 30) OR ENTERING A CHILI IN THE COOK-OFF. SIGN-UP

TO DO EITHER BY EMAILING CHURCHOFFICE@STBS.NET.

The Epiphany