Before the popular American version of the song "We Are the World," there was a grittier, British effort that remains powerful to me as an eloquent reminder of the true meaning of the season. It was called "Do They Know It's Christmas." It was written at the time of Ethiopian famine in 1984. It connects the good news we receive this day with our mandate to share that good news with all the world.

Here are some of the words:

"It's ChristmastimeThere's no need to be afraidAt Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shadeAnd in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joyThrow your arms around the world at ChristmastimeBut say a prayer
Pray for the other ones...Feed the worldLet them know it's Christmastime again..."



My deep prayer is that you will receive something of the blessing of this holy day. And having done so, that you share that abundant blessing with a world in need -- a friend, a city, a world -- aching for good news, aching for food to fill hungry stomachs and hungry spirits, aching for peace and hope. The only way that the world will know it is Christmas is though our telling and sharing, through our sharing the light and feeding the world.

A joyous Christmas to you and yours.

John Wilkinson, Pastor

Christmas Eve Advent Wreath Devotion

CHRISTMAS EVE—WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008

Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and for evermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

From Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NRSV)


The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, the time is here. The preparations are over. Open our hearts to the joy that the Christ child has brought to the world, and help us to continue to carry that light with us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.


The Christmas Story—Luke 2:1-20


Hymn—Joy to the World


Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns


* * * * * * *
tonight's worship schedule:
4:30 p.m.--Festival of the Nativity (sanctuary)
8:00 p.m.--Communion (Chapel)
11:00 p.m.--Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary) Broadcast live on WXXI FM 91.5
Sponsored by Valley Manor and Seniors First
Listen to our 11:00pm service on WXXI or the web

'Twas the night before Christmas. . .

When the question. "What is your favorite holiday" appears on a survey or in a get to know you game, my answer is always "Christmas Eve". Note that it is not Christmas, but rather Christmas eve.

I like the anticipation. I like the preparation. Christmas is, of course, fantastic--but in my mind, the real magic happens on Christmas eve. There is nothing much else to really do--if you haven't sent cards or baked or found that perfect gift, there is no point in stressing about it now--now it is time to sit in a candle lit sanctuary and listen. Listen to the rustling of little girls in their christmas dresses, the giggles of excitement that can't be held in for one more second, the greetings of college students home catching-up. And of course--listening to the story told in scripture ("In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus. . . "*) and in hymns ("Come, thou Long Expected Jesus", then perhaps "Away in a manger" and ending with "Silent Night" and tripumphantly, "Joy to the World!").

That story--whether in word or song-- still causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. That story that is as familiar as any I know still fills me with hope each time I witness it unfold.

Where will you find yourself this Christmas eve? What sounds will greet you?

I would be remiss if I did not invite those of you who will not be sitting in a candle lit sanctuary this evening to tune in to the 11pm service here at Third Presbyterian Church. The service is being broadcast on WXXI radio. Click here for a link to listen. . .
http://interactive.wxxi.org/listen

Becky D'Angelo-Veitch, Coordinator of Children's Ministry & Congregational Life

* Luke 2:1a

Crying Out in the Wilderness

Luke 3:1-6
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"


John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, has come into the fullness of his ministry as God’s herald messenger. His is the voice “crying out in the wilderness” and calling us to prepare for the advent of salvation. This is a clear reference to the prophecy found in Isaiah 40, which foretells the restoration of the exiled people of Israel.
Isaiah’s message proclaims, “In the wilderness prepare the highway of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). In our four gospels, John is the figure in the wilderness laying down the pavement. John called the people to repent, to turn hearts and minds and souls toward the God who attends to the salvation of the world.
For Isaiah, the barren wilderness was the obstacle between exile and home; the highway a symbol of restoration. For John, human sin was the obstacle between exile and home, and he called people to pave God’s way in their innermost being.
Our landscape isn’t the dry and barren wilderness of Judea, but John still cries out to us during this season of Advent. Repent. Prepare the way; for the time is here when we too will see the salvation of God. Calling out into our modern wilderness of bright lights and holiday shoppers, he brings us to a manger and then to a cross.
The voice crying out in the wilderness calls us to the true hope of restoration found in Jesus Christ; to the one who is the incredible gift of this incredible season.

Prayer:
Faithful God, you sent your messengers to call me back from exile. You sent your Son to restore me to life. Send your Spirit to work in my innermost being so that I may receive this gift with gratitude and live for your sake. Amen.

Martha Langford, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care

Week 4 Advent Wreath Devotions

WEEK 4—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2008

Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
4650 And the angel Gabriel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’* But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’

From Luke 1:30-33 (NRSV)


The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, in the same way that Mary was perplexed by Gabriel’s visit, we are surprised by the wonderful ways you work in our lives. With each candle we light, we give thanks for the many blessings that you have bestowed on us. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.


Hymn—O Come, O Come Emmanuel


Closing prayer
Close your worship time together with sharing of joys and concerns

Advent in 5 words

A local radio station (100.5 The Drive) has a feature on their morning show that encourages listeners to share "My world in 5 words". People share funny, poignant, and ordinary observations about their lives. It got me thinking, how would I sum up this season? With the help of some of my colleagues around the office--here are some of ours. . .

• Love, hope, family and friends
• Outstretched arms to redeem us
• comfort, comfort you my people
• Wait, Watch, Repent, Hope, Rejoice
• waiting. . .preparing. . .hope for all
• O come, O come, Emmanuel

What is Advent in 5 words for you?

Sharing Ourselves, Our Song

The season of Advent is a busy one for the Junior Choir at Third Church. We work very hard during our rehearsals to prepare music for Christmas, particularly for the “Festival of the Nativity” on Christmas Eve. As you can imagine, our rehearsals are normally very lively but during this Advent season, the feeling of “Christmas anticipation” among the children makes for a particularly exciting time.

One of our projects this year, was to make a video to download onto Youtube. I am including the link so you can enjoy our Advent anthem “People of the Night” by David Hass. The children particularly love singing this song and were eager to record it in this video. They are also excited that they can send the link to family and friends who don’t regularly have the opportunity to hear them sing.

The loveliness of children‘s voices is always inspiring. Their singing reflects a certain openness, simple faith and innocence that is particularly beautiful in this season of the year. Christmas, of course, does seem to be so much about children and their joyful enthusiasm, hopes and dreams. I hope you enjoy the video and the children’s offering of praise to God.

by Chris Lenti

Sandwich board prophet

Have you even seen the sandwich board prophets with their doom and gloom messages about the end of the world being near? I remember seeing one in New York City once with his message typed in a normal sized typewriter font. I had to get up close to read it. Then the sandwich board prophet had me right where he wanted me, right in his face. "Do you understand that the end of the world is near and you had better get your house in order. You don't have much time maybe just a few days, but certainly not longer than that, get ready for the end to come. And it won't be pretty!"

Jesus was a sandwich board prophet. Read what he says:

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-26)

This Jesus saying is usually read every third year during Advent as part of our Sunday morning worship.
This "sandwich board prophet" saying of Jesus focuses on the end of time. Contrary to popular opinion, advent is not about watching for Jesus to be born. Advent is about watching for Jesus to come again as the reigning monarch, judge and redeemer of the universe. The season of Christmas is the festival of the first Advent or first coming of Christ. The season of Advent is watching for the second Advent, the second coming of Christ. But since we are all rather uncomfortable with this second coming stuff, we sort of turn our attention to a much more comfortable story of a baby being born rather than focusing on the rather foreboding tones of predictions of the end of time.

Now to be honest, I don't spend much time worrying about the end of time, or the second coming of Jesus. This was a major concern of American pietism in the first half of the 20th century, but hardly any more, except in some fundamentalist circles. In fact, I affirm is that the end of time on this planet is ultimately up to the human race, and we could either blow ourselves up or destroy the planet by pollution. I equally affirm that in the economy of God there has to be other divine creations of intelligent life in our universe. Just because we extinguish life on planet Earth does not mean the end of time for other civilizations in other solar systems. All this does not mean that we toss out the idea of the second coming of Christ as an old Hebrew apocalyptic myth, which it is. Rather we must de-mythologize it. So the second coming of Christ needs to be reinterpreted in a new way. Therefore the season of Advent must be re-interpreted.


The season of Advent and its theme, the second coming of Christ, gives us a perspective on time, our personal time, time in our families, time in our careers, time in our communities, national time, or even time among nations. Advent reminds us to watch, but at some point, time will run out. At some point we will have to decide or things will be decided for us. Advent reminds us that time in our lives is a little bit like pregnancy-- there is a limit to watching. If you watch too long events will decide our lives for us.

Week 3 Advent Wreath Devotions

WEEK 3—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2008

Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners;
2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3
From Isaiah 61:1-2 (NRSV)


The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, help us to be your light in the world. As we share not just “seasons greetings,” but the love of Christ with others this season, shine your radiance through us to bring light to all we encounter. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.


Hymn—Arise, Your Light is Come!


Closing prayer
Close your time together with sharing of joys and concerns

Advent Reflection

Matthew 10: 40 Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.




We talk a lot in the church about hospitality. The Bible tells us that we should welcome strangers. Congregations are thinking intentionally about how they can be more open and inviting to all. As we scurry to put up our wreaths, find the perfect tree, string our lights inside and out, and think ahead to holiday entertaining help us to remember the true meaning of hospitality this Christmas season. It is important that each of us be an agent for the kind of welcoming love which Jesus made real in the life of the community he gathered around him. All of us are naturally drawn to groups that are friendly, genuine, warm, and accepting. God’s love lives within people and their interactions. A welcoming community, like this, can transform lives at Christmas time and always.



Loving God, as we joyfully anticipate and prepare for the arrival of your Son help us to open our hearts, to be more welcoming, and to reflect your love in all that we say and do. Amen.


Pamela Foye
Parish Visitor

Advent Supper will be held on 12/14--don't forget to RSVP!

Advent Supper--Sunday, December 14th from 6-8pm.


Join us for an evening of fellowship and worship. We will begin with a lasagna dinner (we will provide lasagna, last names A-I, please bring a salad, J-Q, please bring bread or rolls, R-Z, please bring dessert to share), then continue with a time of fellowship, Christmas stories, and creating ornaments, then end with a time of worship together in the sanctuary. A donation of $2/person (max. $10/family) is requested to help offset the costs of the lasagna. So that we can plan for numbers, please RSVP to Dona Culhane no later than 12/12.

A Christmas Song

I am always grateful when Advent rolls around. It is perhaps my favorite liturgical season, and it always puts me into a contemplative and reflective mood (as it is of course supposed to do).

While I am sure I should be seeking the message in my well-worn bible I received in 3rd grade, I find that I seek the most comfort in an old Dave Matthews song (click below to listen). I love this song not just for the beautiful melody, or the humanity that it brings to such a miraculous story, but because of the fear it presents. Christianity did not end with Jesus, but merely began. I am a Christian who doesn't always know what she believes, but I do believe that at the core of it all, Christianity is about love. It is about being love, doing love and showing love the way Jesus was able to do so effortlessly. Even the story of his birth, which I am honored to help tell with the youth and children of our church every Christmas Eve, is a story filled with love.


We spend this advent season preparing the way and celebrating the birth of Jesus not just because of his birth and all its wonders, but because of what we know this child will one day do. He will grow up and fill the world with love; love without question, and that is what is truly miraculous.


for a copy of the lyrics, click here: lyrics


Amanda Gianniny

“Comfort, O comfort my people.” Isaiah 40:1

What we call “creature comfort” is not what Isaiah had in mind. Rather, Isaiah is writing to a people who had been exiled, who had lived in fear, whose future was not secure. God’s voice, articulated through the prophet, that Israel’s wilderness journey and season of suffering is over.

What would that look like? What would comfort look like in a weary, war-torn world. What would it look like in an anxious nation? What would it look like to each one of us – the promise of our collective and individual burdens being lifted?

Today, and this week, imagine the kind of deep and abiding comfort that Isaiah imagines, and then pray for it and work into that promise.

Loving God, give us a vision of true comfort, and allow us to share it with a world in need. We pray in the name of the one whose coming we await. Amen.

John Wilkinson, Pastor

Week 2 Advent Wreath Devotions

WEEK 2—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2008

Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)
3A voice cries out:‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’
From Isaiah 40:3-5 (NRSV)


The lighting of the Advent Candles
Loving God, be with us in these weeks of preparation. Help us to prepare not just by decorating and baking and shopping, but by making room in our hearts to experience the anticipation and wonder and joy that the celebration of the birth of your Son brings. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.


Hymn—Comfort, Comfort You My People


Closing prayer
Close your time together with sharing of joys and concerns

The Craziness Hits!

I don't know about you, but for me, the pace of re-entry after the Thanksgiving weekend has been particularly daunting this year. Of course, the Advent season, in preparation for Christmas, has always been a whirlwind of activity - both at church and at home. With the way the calendar has fallen this year, however, with a late Thanksgiving, it is all compressed into about 5 or 6 fewer days, too - which I know is contributing to my sense of desperation for more time to do the multitude of things on my plate.



Perhaps for that reason, I seem to be more drawn than ever to some of the wonderful hymns of Advent, rather than the Christmas carols (which amplify for me the short amount of time between now and then!). Many of these Advent hymns have a wonderful way of putting this season in its proper perspective, and with their sense of expectation, and faith in the promise of Jesus' coming, help ME to slow down the desperate rush of activity in which I get caught up...and permit me to take a deep breath, and think more clearly about what I am doing, and why.



One of the most profound, and centering, of these Advent hymns is "Savior of the Nations, Come" with a text that dates from the 4th century by Ambrose, and paraphrased over 1000 years later (!) by Martin Luther! Talk about timeless... I would encourage you to look it up in the Presbyterian Hymnal (#14) if you have one at home, or make a point to check it out at church on Sunday. (I'll be playing a prelude and a postlude based on this hymn in both services this week.) I'll leave you with the first stanza, which sets the tone for the entire season, I think....



"Savior of the nations, come,

Virgin's Son, make here Your home.

Marvel now, O heaven and earth,

That the Lord chose such a birth."



Amen!

Peter DuBois
Director of Music/Organist

Advent Soundtrack

Driving back to Rochester from Columbus on Sunday was quite the non-stop event -- non-stop rain, non-stop trucks and non-stop Christmas music. Cruising up and down the dial, I must have found every FM station that switched to an all-Christmas, all-the-time format on Thanksgiving Day. I don't mind it, actually. I am often amused by it -- Mariah Carey warbling through "O Holy Night" or Alvin and the Chipmunks and "Christmas Time Will Soon Be Here." Every once in a while they even slip through a sacred classic, and a little inspiration on the Thruway is never a bad thing!

The secular recognition of Christmas is an easy target, but perhaps we can think of it differently than that. What is it about the story that we know so well, the story that claims and defines us, that is so compelling that even the world "out there" makes an effort to pay attention to it. And what can we do to keep that story alive in our ever-changing, ever-evolving world?

Two questions:

>What's your favorite secular Christmas song?

>What's your favorite Christmas carol?

Answers to come...


John Wilkinson, Pastor

Monday, December 1, 2008

A voice cries out:‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3

These are familiar words of Advent. Whether they start me thinking of Handel’s “Messiah” or all of the Christmas preparations I need to make, this verse of Isaiah always brings my thoughts to Advent. Though the words are almost too familiar, take a moment to pick a word or phrase from this scripture that speaks to you this Advent season.
Voice
Cries
Wilderness
Prepare
Way
Lord
Straight
Desert
Highway
God
Where are you being led this Advent? Share the word of scripture from above that speaks to you, in the comments portion of the blog.

Loving God, Help us to listen for a voice to us in Advent. Be with us—in the wilderness, the desert, or wherever we are, as we prepare to celebrate your Son’s birth. Amen.

Becky D’Angelo-Veitch
Coordinator of Children’s Ministry and Congregational Life

Week 1 Advent Wreath Devotions

WEEK 1—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2008


Scripture Sentences
(may be read by one person or divided into parts)

When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
5You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.
From Isaiah 64:3-5a (NRSV)


The Lighting of the Advent Candle
Loving God, with our hearts still full of thanksgiving, hear us as we raise our thanks to you for the greatest gift, your Son Jesus. Fill us with gratitude in this season of expectation. As we bring light to this candle, so may you bring light to our world. Amen.


Hymn—Come Thou Long Expected Jesus


Closing prayer
Close your time together with sharing of joys and concerns

new devotion

Starting on Monday, December 1, visit this page for devotions and reflections from the Third Presbyterian Church Community