Friday Five - Rejoice Edition
Posted On Friday, 14 December 2007 at at 10:28:00 pm by LisaThose observant ones of you will notice down on the side bar that I am a revgal pals member. RevGalPals is an online community of Women involved in ministry (or support women in ministry) and operate a blog ring. To see some of the others in the community click on next/previous/random etc. Anyway every friday our community runs this thing called the Friday five where our 'leaders' if you will ask us some questions and we answer them. So here goes........
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Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness.
What makes you rejoice about:
1. Waiting?
The thing at the end (after the waiting is over)
2. Darkness?
Oh I sound so christianesque..... the light! And knowing that Jesus is there!
3. Winter?
The smell! My goodness winter smells beautiful. Ice, rain and warm fires. However I must say it is summer over here at the moment so the memories are faint......
4. Advent?
Time to ponder and to focus on different aspect of God and his character!
5. Jesus' coming?
Wow, you know it has only dawned on me this year the eschatological significance that Christmas holds in the Christian calender. Without it there is no way that we could have that hope that we have in his second coming or again be free in the freedom we have in him now due to his first coming (Romans 6-8).
My rejoicing also comes from the fact in the knowledge that I am not yet home and it is still coming, something I have been holding onto in the darkness as of late!
Winter smells- oh yes, thanks for the reminder!
Well played.
lucky you it's summer there. it's so dark here in Finland
like what you wrote and glad that for once you could play on the right day :)
I like the winter smells, too.
So much of Christmas is associated with the winter things...but thanks for reminding me of the summer Christmas also.
Mmm - a lovely play! And yes, the smells of winter are wonderful.
Happy Friday!
Hedwyg
Thanks for playing even though my post had a northern hemisphere bias! So glad to have you with us in the RGBP.
Hi, Lisa
It is Christmas in the neather world! Thanks for reminding us.
Just a question. A Kiwi Presbyterian pastor was very important in helping me articulate my vocation to the priesthood when women were just beginning to be ordained here in the US. Have you ever heard of Nora Roberts? Just wondering what happened to her.
I know it is a big country, but I have found relatives in the UK by asking the same question.
Not yet home...right. Love that.
If I am not mistaken, you may be our only NZ revgalblogpal! If so, how very cool we have some representing NZ.
Enjoyed your answers - we Northern Hemisphere folks don't always remember there are those in this world who celebrate Advent and Christmas in the summer.
Love hearing your perspective on winter!