Pastor Chris Seay leads us into the beginning of our Advent journey, drawing from scripture and the wisdom of the inimitable Fred Rogers. By committing to authentic presence and intentional pace, embracing the power of forgiveness and vulnerability, and taking on our shared responsibility to care for countless of God’s beloved in need, this sacred season has the potential to transform our relationship with our coming Savior.
TEXT
Matthew 18: 1-10
Psalm 46: 10
1 Samuel 16: 4-12
Colossians 3: 12-15
“Can You Say Hero?” by Tom Junod - Esquire Magazine, November 1998. (link)
Quotes from Fred Rogers
“I believe that appreciation is a holy thing--that when we look for what's best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something sacred.”
"There is no normal life that is free of pain. It's the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth. There's no 'should' or 'should not' when it comes to having feelings. They're part of who we are and their origins are beyond our control. When we can believe that, we may find it easier to make constructive choices about what to do with those feelings."
"Confronting our feelings and giving them appropriate expression always takes strength, not weakness. It takes strength to acknowledge our anger, and sometimes more strength yet to curb the aggressive urges anger may bring and to channel them into nonviolent outlets. It takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to. It takes strength to talk about our feelings and to reach out for help and comfort when we need it."
"Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love. Like all of life's important coping skills, the ability to forgive and the capacity to let go of resentments most likely take root very early in our lives."
"Most of us, I believe, admire strength. It's something we tend to respect in others, desire for ourselves, and wish for our children. Sometimes, though, I wonder if we confuse strength and other words — like aggression and even violence. Real strength is neither male nor female; but is, quite simply, one of the finest characteristics that any human being can possess."
"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes."
REFLECTION & PRACTICE
How will you find intentional ways of slowing your pace while surrounded by the bustling chaos of the season around us? Even taking as little as a single minute a few times a day to pause, breathe deeply and dwell in silence can make a significant difference for your mind, body, and soul.
Would you believe that every person with whom you interact this week may offer you a glimpse of the one whose image they bear? Try to give everyone a little more time than you’re used to. A rushed interaction is often little more than transactional.
We all have places of relational harm. We may have caused it. We may be the recipient. Each of us has the opportunity in this season to begin or continue the difficult work of mending. Wherever contrition and forgiveness may be possible, will you take some time to pray about how that might play a significant part in your Advent rhythms?
Once again, we have the incredible opportunity to join together in helping to provide clean water for communities desperately in need around the world. Please commit to pray about how you are called to take part as we seek to offer our very best to Jesus over the coming weeks. You can extend that during our offering time during communion, or at ecclesiahouston.org/give and selecting Advent Conspiracy.
WORSHIP SET
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)
Come Thou Fount
Steadfast
God With Us
O Come Divine Messiah (Everything Will Change)
O Day Of Peace