Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for December 2, 2007
Christmas Tree Ceremony - Hope
Advent begins today! We now start a four-week journey to Christmas. Advent is the "Lent" before Christmas. This is a period of four Sundays to renew yourself to the real meaning of the season. Someone said, "There are no big moments you can reach unless you’ve a pile of smaller moments to stand on." Christmas is a big moment if you have taken the time to prepare inwardly with the many smaller moments of Advent.
Advent is a journey of faith and courage. It is a time to prepare for spiritual rebirth. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also celebrate the birth of our awareness of the Christ Spirit within.
So today, Advent begins! Let this Advent season be your personal journey to a rebirth of the spirit of hope, peace, love, and joy.
CANDLE OF HOPE
(Isaiah 9:2) "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined."
We now start our four-week journey to Christmas. The four candles here are for each Sunday before we celebrate the birth of Christ through Jesus, an event symbolic of spiritual new-birth in each of us. In just four Sundays, we will complete our trip to Christmas… and as we light each Candle, let us light up ourselves.
(Isaiah 9:6) "For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
We are now going to sing one verse of "Joy to the World" as we light the first candle which stands for Hope. These candles represent Christ as the light of the world. The first candle is the Prophet’s Candle and represents the period of waiting. Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we have in the inner Christ. We speak of hope – because God keeps his promises to us.
If you would now close your eyes, just become still, and go within. Allow yourself to just contemplate these scriptural verses and if God guides you to do so, say your own prayer silently.
(Psalms 62:5-6) "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."
(Jeremiah 29:11-13) "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart."
(Lamentations 3:24-26) "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
(Romans 5:5) "Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
(Ephesians 1:17-19) "I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power."
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word."
AMEN
Our first candle is lighted. Today, millions of people all over the world will light the first candle of Advent. We have started a journey, just as the wise men started their journey to find the Christ.
CHRISTMAS TREE CEREMONY
And in this church we also, traditionally, start the season off with a ceremony that explores the symbolism of the Christmas tree and all its ornaments.
You were all given Christmas tree ornaments when you came in. When I name the ornament that you have please come forward and place it on the tree. Each year we, like little kids, eagerly await the trimming of the Christmas tree. But let’s look behind the tinsel and trimmings to what they represent.
The TREE itself is a symbol. Its branches are ever green. But they remind us that the life of God is eternal and is constantly being renewed in us. The tree, as we do, reaches up to a higher understanding of God. Its branches reach outward on all sides, as if to welcome all races of people and all creeds.
On the tree are strings of LIGHTS. How beautifully the colored lights glow, each symbolizing the Christ light. The many colors remind us that each of us expresses good in his own way, yet he draws his life and strength and wisdom from God, the source of all good. Even as Jesus Christ became the light of the world, so can we let His light shine forth through us to bless our world.
We place colored BALLS on the tree. So, now everyone who has colored Christmas tree ball ornaments come up and put them on the tree. Many colors are reflected from these shiny balls, yet the colors seem to harmonize. This is symbolic of the different races and creeds and nations and indicates that they can live together in peace and harmony. Jesus was born to point the way to peace among men. The Christ Spirit in all men will teach them how to solve their problems so that there will be justice and freedom for all.
Next we have a tiny ANGELS for our tree. So, now everyone who has Angels come up and put them on the tree. The angel is a symbol of the Christlike thoughts that help us to express more of the Christ Spirit. At Christmastime we can send angel thoughts or thoughts of good will to people all over the world.
Now we have toy HORNS to sound our Christmas joy. So, now everyone who has Horns come up and put them on the tree. When we hear the notes of "Joy to the World," let our hearts be filled with a deep abiding joy, the joy that comes to us when we love God and do His will.
Beside the horn we now hang a golden BELL. So, now everyone who has Bells come up and put them on the tree. For hundreds of years at Christmastime, the bells have chimed out the message, "Christ is born." "Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, if He's not born in thee, thy soul is all forlorn."
A BIRD perches on a branch of our tree. So, now everyone who has Birds come up and put them on the tree. It is the dove of peace, reminding us that if we truly want peace, we must let peace express through us. We must live peaceably with others.
Here are long strands of bright BEADS and tinseled CHAINS for our tree. So, now if you could put those on the tree. Does it not seem that the beads are smiles that lead from one person to another? And the links of bright tinsel represent the deeds of kindness that link many human hearts in understanding and love.
Now on our tree we place SANTA CLAUS. So, now if you could put those on the tree. Here is the Spirit of giving, all dressed up in a red suit. We can express the spirit of Santa Claus in our giving, too. We can send love and a blessing along with our gifts.
We place on our tree a tiny white LAMB. So, now if you could put those on the tree. The lamb is a symbol of innocence and purity. It reminds us of the Good Shepherd who told His disciples, "Feed my sheep." As modern disciples, shall we give spiritual food to those who hunger for a better way of life?
Our tree needs a crowning touch. At the very top we place a shining STAR. What memories and thoughts that star brings to mind! We see the Wise Men who followed the star to Bethlehem, and we know that the light of the Bethlehem star still shines to guide men.
And now that the tree is trimmed, let us turn in thankfulness to the Father and know that: 'The star of God's light shines within each of us, to help us keep the Christmas Spirit through all the year.' May you have The Spirit of Christmas which is Peace, The Gladness of Christmas which is Hope, The Heart of Christmas which is Love.
Dear God, What a wondrous time of year this is! I feel Your presence all around me. I hear Your voice in the excitement of children. I see Your light in the twinkling stars of a dark night. I feel Your love in the hugs of friends and family. And I know, God, I know that here in Your presence is where I belong, where I am whole.
On this first day of Advent, I am mindful of the many promises You fulfill in my life each day. You are with me as peace when I feel there is not enough time, as faith when I am unsure of my path, as strength when I am discouraged. Thank You, God, for always being with me.
Today I make a commitment to You and a commitment to myself. I dedicate myself to growing spiritually, to developing my awareness of Your great and wonderful presence within me.
In this sacred season, I will recognize the hope, peace, love, and joy of each wonder-filled day. With faith in my heart, I look forward to the most meaningful Christmas season I have yet experienced. Thank You, God, for Your presence of hope with me.
AMEN
May this Christmas season be a wonderful journey of rebirth for you. May you discover remarkable new truths about yourself and find new ways to express the Christ Spirit in you. And remember always that those at Unity love you, we bless you, and we hold you in prayer for your highest and best good.
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 62:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Lamentations 3:24-26; Romans 5:5; Ephesians 1:17-19; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
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Last updated
November 30, 2007
