A Word from Laura: Expecting the Unexpected - Advent 2022

 “I just wish I knew what to expect…”

I’ve heard this from different friends recently: someone with an uncertain diagnosis, a parent trying to figure out next steps for their child’s learning differences, a candidate for affordable housing in a new neighborhood. It’s human to want to know to what lies ahead.

Yet we find ourselves in a time of constant adjustment – changing health, fluctuation in world economies, the price of milk, the metro schedule, weather extremes, or a friend or family member’s call to let you know they’re sick. As much as ever, it’s hard to know what to expect.

Even at Western these days, on any given Sunday we find ourselves learning to expect the unexpected.  The sound may work on one mic but not another; the crowd one week is different from the next.

It’s why we need Advent, a time of learning to expect the unexpected.  Christ’s coming – birth, life, death and resurrection – is one great unexpectedness. From birth in Bethlehem where no one thought to look to death on a cross meant for criminals, God in Christ keeps showing up with love and justice, healing and grace. God’s coming in Christ means we must learn how to look for the divine in ways our larger culture often misses.

Rather than resisting this unexpected aspect of God, this week’s scriptures teach us how to prepare for God’s power and peace. We’re called to live as though Christ is coming: to stay awake, to pray for peace, to get ready for a new day. This getting ready is what hope looks like.

Let’s look for that hope together,
Laura

This Advent, I invite you and our whole church to go on a journey together, to prepare for God coming in unexpectedness.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll use the devotional book “Expecting the Unexpected.”

• The reflections for the four weeks of Advent correspond to the four themes of hope, peace, joy and love we celebrate in weekly worship.  Each day gives some thoughts to get you started and a brief prayer to offer your thoughts back to God.

• Sunday’s reflection corresponds to the weekly reflection in the email, in preparation for worship.

• Mondays through Thursdays, the reflections are based on the lectionary scriptures.
  Monday – the gospel reading, usually from Matthew’s gospel
  Tuesday – from the book of Isaiah
  Wednesday – from the psalms
  Thursday – from the epistle to the Romans

• As you read the scriptures, I encourage you to use your own bible to look up the reading. If you are reading on-line, you may click the book symbol next to the title, and it will link to the scripture passage on-line.

• Friday reflections come from one of our own members. All of those who shared reflections have served in spiritual leadership in some capacity. Their words on finding unexpected hope, peace, joy and love reflect their gifts and perspectives.

• Saturdays are your opportunity to take your reflections one step further and make them your own. I look forward to hearing how you discover Christ coming in unexpectedness this year – feel free to email or share your own reflections when we gather on Sundays!

Know that you, our church and our larger community remain in my thoughts and prayers this Advent. May Christ be born once again this year, and may we catch a glimpse as we learn to expect God in unexpected ways,

Laura