Saturday Morning in Advent

Everyone is up early this morning; at least early for a Saturday.

The girls are leaving momentarily for the church. The Youth hold their annual Drop the Tots today. It is an opportunity for parents or grandparents to have a few hours without children as they shop, take a nap, share a lunch, go to a movie. The Youth have activities, movies and lunch for the children.

The movie we are encouraging the parents and other to watch this weekend is The Nativity. Have you seen it? It is an interesting portrayal of the story of Jesus' birth. It has some good characterizations and some scriptural confusing (both quiet shepherds and comical magi) and a couple Hallmark like moments. Still, a great discussion starter. So, on Sunday the congregation offer a Forum on The Nativity. We have publicized widely and are looking froward to folks both from PoP and from the community to be part of the discussion. Go see the movie!

The girls will go the the mall today. I know, you didn't see that one coming. They are going with a few others from PoP, all female. I get to stay home and get all the preparation together for this evening's Christmas Card assembly. Stamps, mailing labels and a few more Christmas Letter to photocopying and I'll be all set.

Sunday morning will be lively at PoP. The gospel is fun to tell - all these official people and places Luke (3:16) names and slides in that it is in the wilderness where John the Baptizer is born. Great irony so early in the story. This is also the Isaiah text that many hear Handel's Messiah in their heads as it is told. I always hear Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrel. Tomorrow so will the congregation. I will play the Motown classic Aint No Mountain High Enough as part of the sermon. Listen yourself next week at our website if you'd like to hear how it went - www.popnj.org.

Sunday night we will put up the tree. That's always a fun family activity. Of course, we all have assigned responsibilities- I assembly the tree (we travel so often at Christmas that a artificial tree works best for us) and string up the lights. Janet droops the garlen (sp?) and places just-so the bows. And then the girls finish with Janet select ornament's. We usually fight over which Christmas music is playing in the back ground, how low ornaments ought to hang to be too high for the cat to break, and whether there ought to be a fire in the fire place or not. Alright, it isn't always a fun family activity. But it is our family activity.

What rituals will you be part of this month?

Peace,
pl