Green Timbers Covenant Church

July 14 - 18 at GTCC.

Download week 1 schedule

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Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

It is amazing how a week can fill up with stuff, and when you finish you wonder where all the time went.  December is full of those kind of weeks – at least it is for me.  Sometimes the whole month of December rushes by so fast that the whole month just feels like “one of those weeks.”   Unfortunately that is the opposite of what Advent is supposed to be.  It is a time of preparation and spiritual renewal – it is the beginning of the church year – not the rush and get everything in before the end of the year.  The Advent calendars that we have often display how busy we are rather that remind us to slow down and take time for God.  We usually remember after a couple of days and have to “catch up” opening a few extra doors, reading a few extra scripture passages.  Advent really shouldn’t be about catching up, it should be about slowing down.  Not at this time of the year though in the western world!!

Tomorrow I am doing a dreaded mall run to buy the presents, wrap them up and ship them off to our relatives.  All in one day.  I get a little overwhelmed by these sorts of days.  Shopping is not my favorite thing to do and to have to shop along with all those other people who have saved their Christmas shopping to the end is just a little too much for me.  But, I will do it for the love of my family and the good of the economy – and quite possibly to the detriment of my spiritual well being.  But, I do like to see people happy.  I like to give.  I like to share with others.  But, I am becoming more and more of a believer in shopping on the internet. 

During these busy, shopping full times it is good to slow down a little – to spend some quiet time alone with God.  To find a peaceful spot and “ponder” things in our hearts.  This Sunday we are going to try and do that a little.  To come together to spend time with each other, with God and with a character of Christmas and hope that we can settle our Spirits just a little bit.   (I know I will need it after a that crazy day of shopping).  And the Christmas character of the week will be a good one to slow us down.  We will spend some time with Mary this week reading from Luke 1.  Mary is great at slowing us down because she appears to be quiet, unassuming and obedient.  She is willing to let God do what God will do and through the whole things just “ponders all of this in her heart.”  Now Mary must have been a strong woman, a smart woman, and a brave woman to face all of what she must of faced.  But, this was a simple woman, chosen for her simplicity and lack of standing.  She is a great character of Christmas to spend some time with to slow us down and make us think about our life even more.  Just typing this is making me look forward to Sunday – or at least to look forward to tomorrow being over J 

I close just by giving you the words of Mary’s song – maybe you could slow down for just a moment to read them, to meditate on them, to “ponder them in your heart.”

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

See you on Sunday,

Andy