Looking Into the Lectionary — Worship resources for 12/19

December 19, 2021 4th Sunday of Advent Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) COMMENTARY My husband and I met some of our best friends, Nancy and Mark, in our hospital’s birthing class for first-time expectant parents. When we realized we were the oldest couples in the class, we gravitated to each other. Nancy and I laughed together about the hospital’s label of us being of “advanced maternal age” at 35. Dan and Mark exchanged uncomfortable glances when the birthing videos were shown; the featured screaming, all-natural woman from the 1960s convinced Dan he needed to stand by my head and convinced me that an epidural was a gift from God. Our babies were born days apart. Nancy and I continued to meet after the class to commiserate over the joys and struggles of mothering newborn infants. What I appreciated most about our friendship was that we could be straight-up honest with each other about how hard it was and how tired we were without fear of judgement. Pregnancy and parenting are full of blessings. But not every moment is magical. My friendship with Nancy was a much-needed help and support. I remembered this gift of friendship while reading about Mary’s haste to see Elizabeth after the angel’s visit announcing Jesus’ birth. Some critics disagree with the interpretation that Mary rushed to Elizabeth because she needed some sort of confirmation that what she had heard from the angel was true, that Mary didn’t just immediately believe. But why can’t we allow Mary a human moment? Maybe she just needed a female friend, another mother-to-be who could understand and encourage her. Babies turn your world upside down even when they’re not the Savior of the world. This passage connects John the Baptist to Jesus: John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb in response to Mary’s greeting. But I’m drawn to the blessing these two women are to each other — two marginalized, pregnant women; one young, poor and unwed, the other of advanced maternal age. God gives Mary and Elizabeth what each most needs in this vulnerable moment — the gift of each other. ... You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for December 19, 2021. This liturgy is free to use. The Uniform Lesson for December 19, 2021, by Richard Boyce. Love is love is love — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale 4th Sunday of Advent — Family faith formation for Dec. 19, 2021 by Rebecca Davis IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... For God so loved the world that she...  David R. Kepley recalls a painting he encountered in Iceland that revealed God's femininity to him.  Disruption, faith and generosity "While the COVID crisis could hardly be described as a gift of God, what if our faith pressed us to look for God’s presence in the midst of this cosmic interruption? Cosmic interruption, after all, pervaded the first Christmas." —Christine Chakoian A mistake, a loaf of bread and something sacred Aaron Neff reflects on a mistake he made in his ministry that led to an encounter with the sacred. SITREP: Veteran perspectives on combat and peace Jacqueline Wilson creates a safe space and community for veterans to share their stories through the written word.  Advent poetry reading A poem from J. Barrie Shepherd's latest collection "A Way with Words." Weep with those who weep Cynthia Rigby explores the difference between sympathy and empathy and what to "being with" others can look like.

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