thinplace: advent journaling re-cap

so at thinplace journaling group we looked at luke 2 and the angelic host announcing to the shepherds that "unto you a child is born!"  since week 3 of Advent is the JOY candle (along with it being the shepherd candle) we opened and closed our time praying psalm 129 together which focuses on returning JOY.

after the lectio on luke 2: 8-20 we discussed just how loud this little scene might have been....we had lots more questions than we had answers ...how many shepherds? how long did it take to find jesus that night? who got left behind to watch the flocks and just hear about the miracle  not actually "get to see it"?
did this rag tag band of outcasts wake the entire village looking for the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes? was it like that scene in "love actually" where the entire town comes out to see jamie -colin firth- propose to aurelia who is waiting tables in the local cafe. can't you just picture the shepherds knocking on doors, waking up the neighborhood trying to find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. we asked why was the baby a sign? what did that really mean to the shepherds?  what does it mean to us?

we always have art supplies out to use during the journaling time and the last two weeks God has spoken to as i sketched even more than through my journaling. as i drew a babe wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger,  i got the picture of jesus wrapped in grave clothes lying in a tomb.i had this picture of  new life leading to ever-lasting life. birth conquoring death.  i guess this also hit home to me because i'd drawn a clay manger rather than a wooden feed bin. i found this image in reading a sermon by st. jerome found in a book called proclaiming the christmas gospel earlier in the week. before reading jerome i'd never thought about the manger being made of clay rather than wood. and this image of a slab like resting place fit with the future slab in the tomb where the cloth is abandoned due to the resurrection!

on a much lighter note, we laughed hysterically picturing the shepherds as everything from red neck rough necks to biker dudes on harley's.
we ended our time by passing out small "mini" presents ...taking one as a reminder that God is giving us the gift of JOY in jesus and taking a second to give to someone who needs JOY this christmas.

i also encouraged them to do one of my favorite prayer practices "teeth brushing"
on the YS podcast last week i suggested that in the morning when you brush your teeth, pray for someone in your life who is an outcast (like the shepherds) or groups of outcasts in our world who need to experience the joy and love of jesus this advent season. in the evening when you brush your teeth pray for someone who needs the joy of jesus, including yourself. you can even write the names of those people on the handle of your toothbrush with a sharpie marker! and if i'd had the time, i would have picked up a few new toothbrushes to give away so folks would actually try this prayer exercise at home!

ADVENT 3: The Candle of JOY/ The Shepherd Candle
LUKE 2: The Shepherds and the Angels
 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.



PSALM 129
1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem
      it was like a dream!
 2 We were filled with laughter,
      and we sang for joy.
   And the other nations said,
      “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
      What joy!

 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
      as streams renew the desert.
 5 Those who plant in tears
      will harvest with shouts of joy.
 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed,
      but they sing as they return with the harvest.

• What is your impression of the shepherds?  Would you have gone to search for the baby? Would you have told others?

• When you hear the word JOY what comes to mind? Are you in need of Joy today in your life? Talk to God about this.

Comments

[Jola Casey]

Lily,
I'm not sure if you remember me but I met you a couple of years ago when you were at Youthfront working on your book about sacred space, etc. I am a youth pastor from Madison, Ks. I just wanted to let you know that I was in the bookstore last week and I saw your book! WooHoo! That is so cool! I also wanted to let you know that we have been prayer labyrinth junkies since I met you! I try to set one up for my youth about every two months and I must admit I've gotten pretty creative with them. They are addicted and can't wait for the next one. We are going to host one for our entire congregation in January. Way cool! Good luck to you and be blessed. Jola Casey

[margo]

cPaWPs http://obk7W1mQkfiVvap7dGsp.net