Lighting of the Advent Candles
We light the first and second candles, remembering the people’s longing for Peace in a time of war and destruction.
We long for hope and peace.
We light the third candles, recognizing the people’s struggle to find joy in exile.
We long for hope and joy.
We light the fourth candle, returning home to Jerusalem the people re-built the altar and praised God before turning to the enormous task at hand.
In the light of love, hope seems possible.
Finally, we light the Christ candle, despite a rebuilt faith and temple, life is hard under Roman occupation and oppression. The incarnate babe is God’s renewed promise to journey with us.
We commit and rejoice in the Hope for the world born beneath the starry sky.
Tim strives to share God’s extravagant love for all–no matter what & without strings. Seeking to follow the lure of the Spirit, Tim writes about what it means to be a follower of Jesus in an era where Christianity has come to be associated with hatred and political wedge issues. “Heinous things have been said & done (& still are) in the name of the One who breathed in the Divine,” notes Tim, “but Jesus shows us that God loves extravagantly.” Following the teachings and life of Jesus is about inclusion not exclusion. It is about compassion, grace, and admitting no one has all the answers. It is about responding lovingly to the best of our human ability. It is about people not institutions. It is about social justice. It is about caring for creation. It is about being who we were each created to be. Tim is a former early childhood educator, a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, father of two adult children and their spouses, and a grandfather of four perfect grandchildren. Tim serves as Senior Pastor of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Albany, Oregon. He writes from home, from the coffee shop, and wherever the trail leads him.
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