Our Journey Through Advent: *God Bless Us Every One! The Redemption of Scrooge
The cultural context in which Dickens placed his powerful Christmas story was 1800’s England—a time of great divide between rich and poor—something on which Dickens wanted to shed a light. His main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is clear as the story begins that the only redeeming value in life was in getting more money. He lives in resentment, fear and the ice-cold frozen state of watching out only for himself. God’s economy, on the other hand, says that there is enough for all and all are worthy of the abundance of life and joy, freedom and sustenance. Will we “make change” and move toward the richness of peace for all or will we continue to be chained by the poverty of exclusion?
Advent 1: December 1 –Bah Humbug! Making Change (Isaiah 9:6-7 & Luke 1:46-55)
Advent 2: December 8 –The Remembrance of Christmas Past: Hope From Heartbreak (Isaiah 9:2-6a & Luke 2:8-14)
Advent 3: December 15 –The Life of Christmas Present: Look Upon Me (Deuteronomy 15:7-11 & Matthew 2:1-18)
Advent 4: December 22 –The Hope of Christmas Future: Death-Defying Acts (Romans 8:12-17 & Luke 4:18-19)
Christmas 1: December 29 – Finding Refuge (Matthew 2:13-23)
*And be sure to pick up an Advent devotional booklet on the table outside of the sanctuary—“God Bless Us Every One!” There are also booklets for families and devotionals from past years.