Advent and To Know You to Know Me

Christer. Is that you...attend church only on Christmas and Easter? If so, I get it. The Church typically hasn't been a real safe place for people asking spiritual questions, seeking spiritual direction, and looking for the source of true spirituality. I would hope that's changing, but still doesn't make it easy to find?

So have you found a place in which to experience it? Have you found somebody/ies with whom to experience it? If not, go to the church on the corner of your neighborhood, find a place that has multiple services and attend one, ask a friend that you know goes to church if you can tag along, ask a friend that you know who might want to tag along....but go. Because I believe the truth of the story, the message of the narrative, the centerpiece of this historical event is something you should see, hear, experience, get to know...for God so loved the world that He gave His son to you, to me, to the world to know, to love, and to follow to the way peace, hope, love and life.

Here are two videos to spur some thought and maybe move you to place of seeing, hearing, and experiencing the meaning of Advent: To know You because You know me.

Christmas Mystery from DanStevers.com on Vimeo.

Advent. from Spirit Juice Studios on Vimeo.

Advent and the Wait and the Watching

Christmas. It's a season of watchfulness. Watching for sales and deals. People watching at the mall. Watching which checkout line will go fastest. Present watching to see how many and what size will end up under the tree.

It's also a time of watching family watching...who is coming over for Christmas dinner? Personal watching...how will I handle the stress of the holiday season again? Spiritual watching...is there something more than the go-go-go and get-get-get of Christmas?

Lastly, it's a time of advent watching. Angels and shepherds? Wise men and stars? A baby and a barn? What is God showing us? What is he point to? What is He asking me to look for and at? What will change? How will I act on what I see?

May this advent liturgy video again invite us to go a little deeper as to the part God is inviting me to watch in the nativity narrative.

Advent and the Awaiting the Christ Child

What are you waiting for this Christmas season? Santa? Family? Presents? Hope? Peace? Meaning? Wonder? Beauty? Healing? Relief?

What about a child...the Child? May this little video, it's message, music, and images draw you to place of reflection where you see and sense what Christmas is all about.

Digital Story of the Nativity

Super creative telling of the nativity story through a visual medium. The use of online tools and apps is outstanding.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The Cost of a College Education

Some interesting stats and figures on the rising cost of a college education.

Mint.com Personal Finances

Ummm...Yeah

This is going be good...really good.

Amazing New Band - Mumford & Sons

This newly discovered band out of the indie folk scene in England, Mumford & Sons, has real potential to be one of the coolest bands I've heard in a long, long, long time. Different style. Quality musicians. Amazing lyrics. That = trifecta. Here is the video and lyrics for their song, The Cave. Stellar.



Lyrics:

It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be

And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again