Advent 2020 Guide: Prepare Him Room

ADVENT 2020

PREPAR E HI M R O O M

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BATON ROUGE

JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY THIS ADVENT weekly opportunities to gather online or in person for worship, prayer & study

ON SUNDAYS WORSHIP WITH US ONSITE Sanctuary Services 8:30 & 11:00 am The America Street Service 9:45 WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE https://firstmethodist.online.church www.Facebook.com/FUMCBR www.YouTube.com/FUMCBR DURING THE WEEK PRAY WITH US ONLINE www.Facebook.com/FUMCBR Monday–Saturday 7:00 am STUDY WITH REV. BRADY www.Facebook.com/FUMCBR Wednesday 12:00 pm

ADVENT 2020 ©2020 by First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Published by First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. www.firstmethodist.org All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, stored in a database and/or published in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover Image: Lamar Drummonds

ADVENT 2020 "The season of Advent means there is

something on the horizon, the likes of which we have never seen."

- Jan Richardson

01

02

DARKNESS

INVITATION

03

04

PREPARATION

LIGHT 01

DARKNESS

01

I wait for The Lord, my soul waits,

and in His Word I hope;

my soul waits for The Lord

more than those who watch for the morning,

more than those who watch for the morning.

Psalm 130:5-6

DARKNESS

by Karen Milioto

As November draws to a close, we are down to just over ten hours of daylight here in South Louisiana. My family in both Alaska and Massachusetts would tell me this is plenty, but it doesn’t feel like plenty when I am stumbling around in the dark trying to tend to our plants and animals each evening. It’s a stunning four-hour swing from the long days of summer when I can linger outside long after dinnertime, filling water troughs and picking bugs off tomato vines without so much as a squint.

Suddenly, tasks that were once simple in the light of day are laborious in the dark. Everything goes slower and is more complicated, as my eyes struggle to judge the progress of my efforts.

Is the bucket full? I wonder to myself, reaching out and trying to touch the chilly water. Did the plants recover from the previous morning’s frost? I squat down, and squeeze their leaves in search of signs of life. Soon I find myself worrying about the unseen threats that may await me on my path. What might I trip on? I ask myself suspiciously. A rake? A snake? A rock? A mud puddle? In dead of night, I am confronted by the uncertainty of all that my eyes can't easily see and it can make me feel a bit anxious, inpatient, or afraid.

Can you picture these moments along with me? Perhaps you have a few similar memories of your own? Have you ever found yourself trying to move or work or find something in the dark? If so, how was that experience different from moments when you engaged in the same activities in the light?

03

QUESTIONS Grab some friends or your family,

gather around a table or start a text thread, and share your own reflections on the dark.

04

1 |

When was the last time you were surrounded by darkness?

How did it make you feel?

2 |

What needs do you notice in the dark? The need for comfort? Companionship? Direction? Clarity? Or something else?

3 |

Is there anything that you enjoy or appreciate about the dark?

A PRAYER FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT:

Almighty God,

Be with me as I enter into this

season of waiting in the dark.

Help me to

move through this time in

hope-filled anticipation.

Prepare my eyes to be awoken by the coming of Your Son. Amen

05

week

01

EXPLORE DARKNESS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH Today's Reading: Isaiah 64 JOIN US FOR A SHORT MEDITATION ON TODAY'S PASSAGE 9:45 AM in Aldrich Chapel at FUMC or Online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST Today's Reading: Luke 20:9-18

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH Today's Reading: John 1:35-42

TRY THIS Wait for the sun to go down and go outside.

If you can do so safely, try walking in the pitch dark for a while. Or, shut off all the lights in your home and close your curtains or blinds and walk around inside. Then, consider what it might have been like if someone approached you in the dark. How might your inability to see them clearly have affected your reception of them?

What connections can you make between todays passage and this exercise?

TRY THIS Consider Jesus' question to those following him in today's passage, "what do you want?"

Based on their response to him, do you think they knew what they wanted?

If Jesus asked you this question, how would you respond? What do you want?

Access all of our Advent Activities & Events at www.firstmethodist.org 06

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND Today's Reading:Isaiah 2:1-11 COMMUNION & PRAYER SERVICE 12:00 PM in Aldrich Chapel Or online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR PROJECTS & PRACTICES WORKSHOP 4:00 - 6:00 PM in the Conference Center Gather for fellowship and a short meditation while we make Advent wreaths together.

Cost is $15. For more information & to register: email kmilioto@firstmethodist.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD Today's Reading: Luke 20:27-40 TRY THIS Look up today's passage in a commentary or on biblehub.com. Read it in a few different versions. Was there anything that you read about this passage that was new to you?

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH Today's Reading: Psalm 16 TRY THIS Sit without distractions, and listen to your favorite version of the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Look up the lyrics and read along. What sticks out most to you?

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH Today's Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 TRY THIS Rest

07

INVITATION

02

INVITATION

by Karen Milioto

The day after we purchased our current home, I spent some time in the front yard, studying the scene and straining to imagine what it might look like with some plants growing around it. I pictured shrubs. A few small trees. An array of flowers. And maybe even a vegetable patch off in the corner. Though in that moment, even a mental vision of growth in that space seemed like too far of a stretch compared to what I could see before me. The landscape was empty. A few pine trees hovered in the distance and the ground beneath my feet consisted of hard- packed clay.

There was so much space between what was and what I longed for that it felt a bit useless to imagine it.

Have you ever had a similar experience?

One where you might have stood in the midst of one reality while longing for something completely different to be made real?

Something better? Something fruitful? Some new life coming forth from a landscape, situation, or experience that may have only seemed capable of yielding more and more of the same barren or diseased byproducts of its present condition? So much so, perhaps, that even imagining it may have felt a bit useless?

During Advent, we are invited to squint into the dark and sometimes dismal reality of this world, and allow God's Spirit to stir in us with the hope of something more. Something infinitely better. Something completely different than the reality that we see before ourselves today. A vision of a Kingdom where light overcomes darkness and life triumphs death. But this begins with our willingness to believe it.

09

QUESTIONS Grab some friends or your family,

gather around a table or start a text thread

and continue to explore the invitation of Advent 1 Â |

When was the last time something in your life felt impossible?

2 Â |

What comes to mind when you read this quote "Out of His freedom, God moves to create. This is his grace to bring into being what had no possibility of being. That is to make possibility out of impossibility."

-Ray Allen

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A PRAYER FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

Almighty God, may Your Spirit stir in me with a vision of your Kingdom.

Let that vision stretch my mind

and invite me to see how the impossible is made possible through Uou. Amen.

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week

02

EXPLORE THE INVITATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH Today's Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 JOIN US FOR A SHORT MEDITATION ON TODAY'S PASSAGE 9:45 AM in Aldrich Chapel at FUMC or Online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH Today's Reading: Luke 21:29-38 TRY THIS Read today's passage slowly twice. What word or phrase sticks out to you most?

Ask God what it might have to say to you today. Afterwards, write a letter or draw a picture to God in response.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7TH Today's Reading: Psalm 25 TRY THIS Look up Henry Oswala Tanner's painting of the annunciation. Spend some time reflecting on the details of this piece of art.

What do you notice?

Access all of our Advent Activities & Events at www.firstmethodist.org 12

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH Today's Reading:Isaiah 6:1-13 COMMUNION & PRAYER SERVICE 12:00 PM in Aldrich Chapel or online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR PROJECTS & PRACTICES WORKSHOP 4:00-6:00 PM in the Conference Center Gather for fellowship and a short meditation while we make a Christmas door wreath together.

Cost is $15. For more information & to register, email kmilioto@firstmethodist.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10TH Today's Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 TRY THIS Find a quiet place and listen to the hymn, Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley. Read along with the lyrics as you listen. What do you notice?

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH Today's Reading: Luke 22:14-30 TRY THIS Read today's passage and imagine that you are there, participating in the Last Supper.

What are you doing and feeling?

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12TH Today's Reading:Isaiah 8:1-15 TRY THIS Rest

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PREPARATION

03

"Listen, I am standing at the door knocking; if you hear my

voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me."

Revelation 3:20

PREPARATION

by Karen Milioto

A few weeks ago, while walking through the garden center of a local store, I noticed a sign that said “just plant something.”

In some ways I appreciate that message, and I can see how it might motivate a hesitant would-be-grower over the threshold of “just thinking about planting” to “just planting something” instead. And that is great. But I also couldn’t help but wonder as I stared at it if there ever really is such a thing as “just planting something.”

What do you think? And what would your response have been to that sign?

In my own pursuits of growing things, I have found that attempting to just put a new plant or seed in the ground without adequate preparation often results in failure. And each of these failures have taught me that there are things that I have to do in advance whenever I set out to grow something new. First, I have to clear the place where I want to put it, removing weeds and ensuring that there is adequate space. Then, I ready the soil, testing it to see what it may lack in nutrients, bringing balance to its composition, adding some organic matter, and tilling it up so that it is soft and ready to accept roots. I take into account details such as the amount of sun or shade available at that location, the drainage of my intended site, and the compatibility this new thing might have with nearby plants.

This process of preparing my garden has helped me to grow in my understanding of what I am invited to do during Advent in anticipation of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It helps me to see how my focus is at times so attuned on “just planting something” that I forget that my growth in Christ also requires intentional preparation.

Preparation that ensures that when Christmas morning dawns, I have room for Jesus in my heart, soul, and mind.

15

QUESTIONS Grab some friends or your family,

gather around a table or start a text thread and explore preparation together.

1 Â |

Recall a time in your life when you prepared for something. Was it a trip? A birth? A garden? A move? Or a career?

2 Â |

With that same time in your life in mind, retrace the steps that you took to go from the stage of preparation to something more.

3 Â |

What motivated you as you engaged in this process?

16

A PRAYER FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

Almighty God search my heart and

show me my own path towards preparation.

Reveal to me the hard spots that need to be tilled up and softened. Expose to me

the places where I lack balance. Show

me where things are shaded and in need of greater light. Help me to make room in

my life for the Birth of your SonJesus so that He can be born in me more fully on Christmas Day. Amen

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week

03

EXPLORE PREPARATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13TH Today's Reading:John 1:6-8 & 19-28 JOIN US FOR A SHORT MEDITATION ON TODAY'S PASSAGE 9:45 AM in Aldrich Chapel at FUMC or Online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR GATHER FOR FELLOWSHIP & FUN 5:30 PM at FUMC Drive-In and watch Elf as a congregation in the America Street Parking Lot. Spaces limited, register online at www.firstmethodist.org

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH Today's Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-11 TRY THIS Look up the poem, "The Annunciation" by Denise Levertov. Read it slowly twice and notice what words or phrases stick out to you. Ask God what it is that these words might have to say.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH Today's Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 TRY THIS Wait for the sun to go down and go back outside. Again, try walking in the pitch dark for a while. Do you notice any shifts between the first week and this week in your response to the dark?

Access all of our Advent Activities & Events at www.firstmethodist.org 18

week

03

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH Today's Reading: Mark 1:1-8 COMMUNION & PRAYER SERVICE 12:00 PM in Aldrich Chapel or online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR PROJECTS & PRACTICES WORKSHOP 4:00-6:00 PM in the Conference Center Gather for fellowship and a short meditation while we exercise our green thumbs together.

Cost is $15. For more information & to register, email kmilioto@firstmethodist.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH Today's Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 TRY THIS Read today's passage twice slowly. What word or phrase stands out or shimmers as you read it?

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18TH Today's Reading: Matthew 11:2-15 TRY THIS Find a quiet spot and listen to the song, Breath of Heaven, by Amy Grant. Imagine Mary as you listen along, what might Mary have to tell you about God?

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19TH Today's Reading: Isaiah 10:20-27 TRY THIS Rest

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LIGHT

04

"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. " -Isaiah 9:2

LIGHT

by Karen Milioto

As I write this, dawn is breaking above the trees that line the horizon just outside of my house. And as the sun begins its ascent, I can’t help but wonder about the nature of both the light and the dark.

What is it exactly that shifts when we flip the switch beside the doorway or as the day slowly overcomes the night?

In some ways, I understand light to be a translation. Light explains truth to eyes once blinded by the night. Light arrives, bringing clarity to what was previously undetectable or obscured.

Light penetrates darkness, and in doing so reveals the truth of what is right before us. The reality that was there, but that we could not see.

So then, what happened here on earth when Jesus, The Light of the World, came to live among us?

What shifted that night in Bethlehem 2000 years ago?

And what is it that continues to change within us, and around us, as we make room within ourselves for Him to be “born in us each day?”

Hans Urs Von Balthasar writes of Mary’s willingness to participate in the birth of Christ, “In Mary, heaven and earth finally converge. Here finite encounters the infinite.”

Do you believe that the same is true of those who willingly participate with Him still today?

21

QUESTIONS Grab some friends or your family,

gather around a table or start a text thread and continue to explore the light.

1 |

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see the word "light?"

2 |

Name a few attributes of light that you can think of.

What is light? And what is light not?

3 |

What people or practices have given light to your life?

How did they do that?

22

A PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

Gracious and Loving Father, in

your great mercy and love you have

reached out into a dark world and

given us the gift of a newborn baby laying in a manger.

Lord open my eyes so that I may see

His wondrous light break through on Christmas Morning.

Amen

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week

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EXPLORE THE LIGHT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH Today's Reading :Luke 1:26-38 JOIN US FOR A SHORT MEDITATION ON TODAY'S PASSAGE 9:45 AM in Aldrich Chapel at FUMC or Online at www.youtube.com/FUMCBR

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22ND Today's Reading: Revelation 20:11-21:8 TRY THIS Take an inventory of your day. In what activities, practices, and conversations did you experience joy, peace, hope, or love?

In what activities, practices, and conversations did you experience fear, worry, anger, shame, or guilt?

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21ST Today's Reading: John 14:1-7 TRY THIS Find a quiet place and listen to Lauren Daigle's song, Light of the World. What did you notice as you listened?

Mark your calendar! This January our Ministry of Spiritual Formation will be offering a workshop on crafting a rule of life.

For more information, contact Karen Milioto at kmilioto@firstmethodist.org.

Access all of our Advent Activities & Events at www.firstmethodist.org 24

week

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23RD Today's Reading: Psalm 72 COMMUNION & PRAYER SERVICE 12:00 PM in Aldrich Chapel PROJECTS & PRACTICES WORKSHOP 4:00-6:00 PM Drive Through at the Adult Building Grab a cup of hot chocolate & a special Advent gift for you and a friend. Supplies limited, please register in advance with kmilioto@firstmethodist.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH Today's Reading: John 1:1-14 Visit us online for information about Christmas Eve service locations and times!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25TH Today's Reading: Luke 2:1-24 O Word, now wrapped in human skin: speak peace on earth through your children.

The Book of Common Prayer

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