Read – (one last time! ),
Luke 1:5-25 (MSG)
5 During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
6 Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God.
7 But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.
8 It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment,
9 it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense.
10 The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering.
11 Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.
13 But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John.
14 You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth.
15 He'll achieve great stature with God. "He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God.
17 He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God."
18 Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."
19 But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news.
20 But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."
21 Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary.
22 When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
23 When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home.
24 It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy.
25 "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said.
An Advent Meditation on a Woman of Faith
Today, in Sweden, is St. Lucia’s day. It marks the beginning of the Christmas season for much of Scandinavia. On this day – the longest day of the year in much of Northern Europe - a very special/lucky girl is chosen to represent St. Lucia. Who was St. Lucia? In tradition she was an Italian Christian who lived in the 4th century who refused to marry a wealthy man who was not a believer. For that, according to tradition, she was placed in a fire to be burnt alive, rather than compromise her faith. The story of her faith as a light that shined in darkness gave her status as a saint. The story of St. Lucia was brought to Scandinavia by missionaries and embraced as a symbol of great faith in dark times (remember Scandinavia was the land of the Vikings, and that’s not the Minnesota ones).
For most Swedish girls, there is great honor in being selected the “Lucia Bride”. Early in the morning of Dec. 13th, the girl selected would walk with a crown of candles on her head to bring coffee and St. Lucia buns (saffron rolls) to her parents. In more public ceremonies, the St. Lucia girl leads a procession of other young girls who also carry a candle – in schools, shopping malls, old people’s homes, and churches – singing carols and handing out baked goods. The candles symbolize the light of faith in the midst of a dark world.
At the end of week 2, one last thought from Zechariah:
Zechariah can’t believe it…or doesn’t. Ok, here’s a sign that accompanies that; “You shall be mute until the day these things come to pass.”
God keeps his word…he keeps his promises.
It wasn’t all that bad that Zechariah was mute.
Embarrassing at first, and strange to those who wanted to know what happened to him “in there”.
Unto us, Jesus said, “Surely I am coming soon.” (Rev. 22:20)
And what do we say to the promise of that second Advent? Are we more consumed by the world around us that we cannot believe we’ve been courted for a wedding? Does the bride disbelieve the date of her wedding? No…she anticipates, prays, and dreams of what the wedding and marriage will be.
Let us be a people who are like a bride awaiting the day of her wedding. Let us anticipate, dream and pray for our bridegroom to come… “Even so, now, Come Lord Jesus”
A Saturday Prayer:
Father, Grant me a heart that is pure, wide-open in faith towards you, even as I anticipate coming tomorrow together with others to worship you.
Jesus, I long for you to come…I want my life to serve your Kingdom and to await your second Advent…even as now, I celebrate your first Advent.
Spirit, Grant to me a heart full of faith and wonder. Help me, guide me into truth, and show me anything in my heart and mind that prevents me from saying yes to you Lord God, three in one.
Something to Do Today – Bake a St. Lucia Crown:
________________________________________
Santa Lucia Crown
Makes 1 crown.
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110oF)
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110oF)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon Saffron Powder
4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Powdered Sugar Glaze, optional (recipe follows)
Red and green candied cherry halves, optional
6 candles, optional
Directions
Place 1/4 cup warm water in large warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add remaining water, warm milk, sugar, butter, salt, saffron, and 1 1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in 2 eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; reserve 1/3 of dough for top of crown. Divide remaining dough into 3 equal pieces; roll each to 25-inch rope. Braid ropes. Place braid on greased baking sheet. Form braid into circle; pinch ends together to seal. To shape top of crown, divide reserved dough into 3 equal pieces; roll each to 16-inch rope. Braid ropes. Place braid on separate greased baking sheet. Form braid into circle; pinch ends together to seal. Cover braids; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Lightly beat remaining egg; brush on braids. Bake at 375oF for 15 minutes or until done (small braid) and 25 minutes or until done (large braid), covering large braid with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excess browning. Remove braids from baking sheets; let cool on wire racks.
To decorate, make 6 holes for candles in small braid. Place small braid on top of large braid. If desired, drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze and garnish with candied cherry halves. Insert candles in prepared holes.
Powdered Sugar Glaze: In small bowl, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 4 to 5 teaspoons milk; and 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract. Stir until smooth.
Luke 1:5-25 (MSG)
5 During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
6 Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God.
7 But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old.
8 It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment,
9 it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense.
10 The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering.
11 Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.
13 But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John.
14 You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth.
15 He'll achieve great stature with God. "He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb.
16 He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God.
17 He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God."
18 Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."
19 But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news.
20 But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."
21 Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary.
22 When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
23 When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home.
24 It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy.
25 "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said.
An Advent Meditation on a Woman of Faith
Today, in Sweden, is St. Lucia’s day. It marks the beginning of the Christmas season for much of Scandinavia. On this day – the longest day of the year in much of Northern Europe - a very special/lucky girl is chosen to represent St. Lucia. Who was St. Lucia? In tradition she was an Italian Christian who lived in the 4th century who refused to marry a wealthy man who was not a believer. For that, according to tradition, she was placed in a fire to be burnt alive, rather than compromise her faith. The story of her faith as a light that shined in darkness gave her status as a saint. The story of St. Lucia was brought to Scandinavia by missionaries and embraced as a symbol of great faith in dark times (remember Scandinavia was the land of the Vikings, and that’s not the Minnesota ones).
For most Swedish girls, there is great honor in being selected the “Lucia Bride”. Early in the morning of Dec. 13th, the girl selected would walk with a crown of candles on her head to bring coffee and St. Lucia buns (saffron rolls) to her parents. In more public ceremonies, the St. Lucia girl leads a procession of other young girls who also carry a candle – in schools, shopping malls, old people’s homes, and churches – singing carols and handing out baked goods. The candles symbolize the light of faith in the midst of a dark world.
At the end of week 2, one last thought from Zechariah:
Zechariah can’t believe it…or doesn’t. Ok, here’s a sign that accompanies that; “You shall be mute until the day these things come to pass.”
God keeps his word…he keeps his promises.
It wasn’t all that bad that Zechariah was mute.
Embarrassing at first, and strange to those who wanted to know what happened to him “in there”.
Unto us, Jesus said, “Surely I am coming soon.” (Rev. 22:20)
And what do we say to the promise of that second Advent? Are we more consumed by the world around us that we cannot believe we’ve been courted for a wedding? Does the bride disbelieve the date of her wedding? No…she anticipates, prays, and dreams of what the wedding and marriage will be.
Let us be a people who are like a bride awaiting the day of her wedding. Let us anticipate, dream and pray for our bridegroom to come… “Even so, now, Come Lord Jesus”
A Saturday Prayer:
Father, Grant me a heart that is pure, wide-open in faith towards you, even as I anticipate coming tomorrow together with others to worship you.
Jesus, I long for you to come…I want my life to serve your Kingdom and to await your second Advent…even as now, I celebrate your first Advent.
Spirit, Grant to me a heart full of faith and wonder. Help me, guide me into truth, and show me anything in my heart and mind that prevents me from saying yes to you Lord God, three in one.
Something to Do Today – Bake a St. Lucia Crown:
________________________________________
Santa Lucia Crown
Makes 1 crown.
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110oF)
1 envelope Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110oF)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon Saffron Powder
4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Powdered Sugar Glaze, optional (recipe follows)
Red and green candied cherry halves, optional
6 candles, optional
Directions
Place 1/4 cup warm water in large warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add remaining water, warm milk, sugar, butter, salt, saffron, and 1 1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in 2 eggs and enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; reserve 1/3 of dough for top of crown. Divide remaining dough into 3 equal pieces; roll each to 25-inch rope. Braid ropes. Place braid on greased baking sheet. Form braid into circle; pinch ends together to seal. To shape top of crown, divide reserved dough into 3 equal pieces; roll each to 16-inch rope. Braid ropes. Place braid on separate greased baking sheet. Form braid into circle; pinch ends together to seal. Cover braids; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Lightly beat remaining egg; brush on braids. Bake at 375oF for 15 minutes or until done (small braid) and 25 minutes or until done (large braid), covering large braid with foil during last 10 minutes to prevent excess browning. Remove braids from baking sheets; let cool on wire racks.
To decorate, make 6 holes for candles in small braid. Place small braid on top of large braid. If desired, drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze and garnish with candied cherry halves. Insert candles in prepared holes.
Powdered Sugar Glaze: In small bowl, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted; 4 to 5 teaspoons milk; and 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract. Stir until smooth.
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