Though it tends to be a very busy season for mission-driven organizations, Advent also offers a special opportunity for prayer and reflection together as a ministry team. This month, consider extending an opening prayer at the start of a team meeting to include ten minutes of faith sharing.
Reflection One: Advent Traditions
Prepare: If meeting in person, light an Advent wreath together. If you are meeting remotely, you might invite participants to light a candle where they are. Take a look at Matthew 1:1-17 in advance to see if you feel it would work for your team to read this aloud and also whether someone on the team would feel comfortable doing so. (Note: It’s a bit of a tongue twister.) Then, either begin with the Scripture passage or begin by reading the reflection below that references the Scripture passage.
Read: In Matthew 1:1–17, we hear the genealogy of Jesus. Fourteen generations are named in the first seventeen verses of Matthew’s Gospel. Some of the people in this list—like Abraham or Jesse—may be familiar to us. Others, like Amminadab or Zadok, we may never have heard of. Yet each person is included, and in a very human way, each one forms part of the story of who Jesus is.
Each of us also has a genealogy—people who came before us and shaped us in ways we may know or may never fully recognize. We also likely have friends or members of our community we can call to mind who have shaped us in some way, past or present. We remember especially in this season of Advent how the culture, practices, and traditions of our family members present and past in some ways shape how we prepare for Christmas ourselves. We also remember how we also are part of the experience of others– our friends, family, and even colleagues– in ways large and small during this season.
Reflect & Share:
Respond to the question(s) that resonates most.
- What is a memorable Advent or Christmas tradition you grew up with that is important to your family of origin, culture, or ancestry?
- Share a story of a person who is important to you and connected with your Advent, Christmas, or holiday traditions.
- What is a holiday tradition you look forward to with friends or family this time of year?
Closing Prayer: Loving God, We remember that each person on our team is created in your image and likeness. We come to this work with many people standing behind us in our ancestry—those known and unknown, living and deceased. We lift them up in a special way during this Advent season. Bless us, bless our families, and bless our team as we gather today. Ask: For who else do we pray today? … Amen
Reflection Two: Joy of the Visitation
Prepare: If meeting in person, light an Advent wreath together. If you are meeting remotely, you might invite participants to light a candle where they are.
Read: First, read aloud Luke 1: 39-45.
This reading notes so many signs of Elizabeth’s joy at being visited by Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus. When she hears Mary, John leaps for joy in her womb; this doesn’t just happen within Elizabeth without her knowing, she can feel it and tells Mary about it. Elizabeth uses a “loud voice” and cries out to Mary. She shows her surprise, asking herself in front of Mary: “How does this happen to me?”
In this time of year that can often be busy and stressful, Elizabeth reminds us of the great joy that is also here for us as we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus. Her story also reminds us that sometimes this joy can surprise us!
Reflect & Share:
Respond to the question(s) that resonates most.
- What comes to mind first when you consider where you currently find joy in our mission and ministry right now?
- As you consider who you will spend time with in the next few weeks, what do you look forward to with joy?
- In what ways have you been/or might you be a source of joy to someone who may otherwise not have many visitors this time of year?
Closing prayer: Loving God, we remember Elizabeth’s joy when she received her cousin Mary, pregnant with Jesus. Help us open our hearts to be ready to receive the joy you bring– even in surprising moments– during this season of Advent. And we pray that we may also be bearers of your joy to others. Ask: For who else do we pray today? …. Amen
Genevieve Jordan Laskey 