3rd Sunday of Advent

Year 3: December 11, 2016

Preaching Text: Isaiah 61:1-11

A Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment:  Dunrea’s story of Pyn and her Papa brings the idea expressed in Isaiah to life. Readers experience Papa as a cold, oaf of a man shaped by grief over the loss of his wife. Pyn shares love and warmth with her brokenhearted Papa by creating a garland wrapped Christmas tree, and we see some of his protective coldness begin to melt away. When we are caught up in the business and preparations of Advent and the societal pressure to be holly and jolly, hearing this text reminds us that a number of people are overwhelmed with grief, sorrow, or injustice. This text and story call us to consider how the Spirit of the Lord may be sending us to bring good news, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to those who are more likely to be mourning than celebrating this holiday season.

The Marrative Lectionary Links for Year 3 ae being written by aluma Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links (NL): December 11, 2016 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.