Advent 2025
Advent Worship Series 2025
November 30
What’s the Big Deal About Incarnation?
Galatians 4:4-6, John 1:1-5, 14
God became flesh and lived among us. We hear that every Christmas season but often don’t understand the earth-shattering implications it has on this world and in our lives. By becoming part of our physical world, God redeems the physical. The body of God was nurtured in the womb of a human woman. Humanity and divinity became one, both in Jesus and in us. Richard Rohr wrote, “Incarnation meant not just that God became Jesus, but that God said yes to the material universe and physicality itself.” In other words, matter matters.
Reflection Questions: How might you honor your body in light of the Incarnation? What does it mean to you that “God said yes to the material universe”? How is your understanding of creation, other humans, and yourself impacted by God’s Incarnation?
December 21
Luke 1:34-38; Luke 2:34-35; John 16:19-22
At Christmas our focus is often on “baby Jesus.” How do we move beyond a sentimental birth to a deeper understanding of Christmas and what it asks of us? What if Jesus’ birth wasn’t a one time event but a continual process of being birthed in the world through us? At Christmas we are asked not just to admire a newborn child, but to surrender, encounter, make room for, suffer and partner with Jesus the Christ.
Reflection Questions: What do you believe is a “deeper understanding” of Christmas and what Jesus asks of you? What are the ways you will surrender, encounter, make room for, suffer and partner with Jesus?
December 24
A Tri-Told Nativity Pageant
Luke 1 and 2, Matthew 1 and 2, John 1 (select verses)
What if the three authors of the Christmas story came together to share the events surrounding Jesus birth? That’s exactly what happens as John, Matthew, and Luke get together to weave their details into one complete narrative of our Savior’s birth.
January 4
How Come Nothing Epiphs on Epiphany Anymore?
In the early church Epiphany was a big deal, second only to Easter itself. Nowadays, most people don’t even know what it is, much less expect anything meaningful from this holy day. To put it bluntly: nothing epiphs on Epiphany anymore. Why is that? What does it mean? How can we reclaim the significance of Epiphany for our day and age?
Reflection Questions: Do you expect to have an epiphany like the ancient Christians did? How will you look for God’s manifestation in your life? When you choose your star, place it in a significant place and ask God to use it to give you an epiphany throughout the year.