Welcome to the Rockburn Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

We are so very blessed to have the freedom to gather together to worship in this beautiful sanctuary.
2015 has been a wonderful year in Rockburn…lots of love, caring and fellowship!
Thanks be to God!

 
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO NANCY & RANDY AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS EVENING’S  SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

CHRISTMAS LITURGY & LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE:
 
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and rejoice in His coming to us, we light the Christ candle.
(Christ candle is lit)
Jesus Christ is our hope. He is our peace. Jesus Christ is our joy. He is love, pure, holy, undying love.
Whoever believes in Him will never perish, but have eternal life.
Tonight we celebrate! For unto us is born a Child. To the world a Child is given. Christ, our Morning Star and Prince of Peace, is the Light for the world. From the light of this one life, all of God’s children receive the Light and are blessed with saving grace and joy.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!



    
PROCESSIONAL:       “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”    verses 1 & 2
INTROIT:       “Gloria”         Choir
GREETING:   The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadows of death  Light has dawned. Jesus Christ is our Life and Light. In Christ’s grace, let us worship God.

“O Holy Night”       Nancy Campbell

CALL TO WORSHIP:           Let us go, just as we are, to see what has happened. Let us go with the shepherds.                                           Let us go and find the One of whom the angels sing.                           Let us go with those who are wise.                                                          Let us go and find the One who brings God’s truth to us.                    Let us go with the poor in spirit; let us go with those who are humbled by life.                                                                                                                 Let us find the Glory of God born in a stable, and placed in a manger.                                                                                                         Let us go with our friends and family, with our neighbours and with strangers. Let us go with all children of God.                                         Let us go to find the One who comes to lead us home to God’s kingdom.                                                                                                          O come, let us go to the Babe of Bethlehem.                                           O come, let us adore Him! Christ our Lord!
CAROL:         “O Come All Ye Faithful”      verses 1 & 2
WELCOME:
PRAYER:       Gracious God, with joy and thanksgiving we gather as Your people. We have come to hear again the timeless story of Christ’s birth. In the excitement of this night, quiet our hearts that we may know the peace and fullness of this Holy time. Shine, O Light, in the darkness of our world. Sing, O angels, in the stillness of our hearts, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among all.” Eternal God, as You came to the world in the birth of the Christ Child, come to us this night. Come into our hearts and shine Your light upon our path. As You brought Your Hope, Your Peace, Your Joy and Your Love to the world in the form of the Babe of Bethlehem, so bring to us His radiance and help us to glorify both Him and You. We ask that the fullness of His might live in us, and that at His name every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. This we pray in the name of the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.
OFFERING:   We prepare to receive the world’s greatest gift by giving. “Give and it shall be given unto you” is God’s promise. We will now receive the offering.
                        Offering received: Choir:                        “Holy Night”  &  “Ring Joy, Sing Joy”
                        Loving God, may these offerings bring hope, peace joy and love to others who seek a better life for themselves. Use our gifts to do justice in a world of neglect and indifference. May the coming of the Christ Child inspire others to give abundantly. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE BIRTH OF JESUS: (Part 1)    Tonight is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth. Let us hear again the glad story of how God chose to be among us and keep the promises that He made to the world.
                                    In those days a decree went out that every man had to go to the city of his ancestors to have his name and the names of his household registered. Both Mary and Joseph were of the house of David, and the city of David was Bethlehem. So Joseph had to go there and Mary went with him. Mary may have said to Joseph, “I’ll go with you, because the Baby Jesus must be born, not in Nazareth, but in Bethlehem.
CAROL:         “Once In Royal David’s City”       verses 1& 2
THE BIRTH OF JESUS:  (Part 2)   Bethlehem was a little city, and the inn was crowded with all the people who had come to be registered. When Joseph and Mary came and asked for a place to sleep, the innkeeper said, “I haven’t a place left. All the room is taken up.” But Mary looked so tired and worn with the long journey, that he said at last, “You can go and sleep in the stable, if you want to.” So they lay down on the straw near the animals and went to sleep. Nobody knew, or could even suppose, that these two humble travelers from Galilee were sent of heaven, and that that night would see the most important event in the history of the world, the birth of the Messiah, the Son of God.
                                    And in the night the Baby Jesus was born. O happy night and Holy night! For this Babe was the Saviour of the world. And His mother wrapped Him in soft clothes and laid Him in a manger, where the cows and oxen were fed.
CAROL:         “Away In A Manger”         verse 1
THE ANGELS AND THE SHEPHERDS:  (Part 1)     That night, out on the hills of Bethlehem, there were shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly it was light! Lighter and lighter it grew, until a glory greater than the sun shone round about them. They looked up, and there, come down from the sky, stood the angel of the Lord.
                                    And the angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy. For today, in the city of David, a Saviour is born for you, who is your Messiah. And this will prove it to you; you will find a baby wrapped up and lying in a manger.”
                                    When the angels were gone away out of sight into heaven, the shepherds sat for awhile, stunned. Then they roused themselves and said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass.”
CAROL:         “While Shepherds Watched”      verses 1 & 6
THE ANGELS AND THE SHEPHERDS:  (Part 2)     The shepherds left their sheep and came into Bethlehem. And they came to the door of the stable and entered in. In the dawning light they looked, and there, as the angel had told them, they found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger. They knelt down before the manger and worshipped the Baby, for they knew this was the Messiah, the Christ, this little Lord Jesus.
CAROL:         “Angels From The Realms Of Glory”     verses 1 & 2 
A CHRISTMAS GREETING:          The theme of “A Christmas Greeting” is based on a familiar Christmas tradition, sending greeting cards. The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the United Kingdom in 1843. The cards became more and more popular and were produced in large numbers from about 1860. The first cards usually had pictures of the Nativity scene on them. In 1915, John C. Hall and two of his brothers created Hallmark cards, who are still one of the biggest card makers today.
                                    Christmas is a time for remembering, remembering God’s gift of a Saviour, and remembering our friends and loved ones. One way to do this is to send Christmas cards and letters. Christmas cards and e-cards find their way into houses of friends and families across the country, cards decorated with manger scenes, mistletoe, Santa Clauses and shepherds stream into our homes throughout the Christmas season.
                                    Tonight, we’d like to present to you some living Christmas cards. We hope they will bring you a special message full of Christmas peace and joy.
“A Christmas Greeting”              Choir
                        (Display Christmas tree card)
                        One of the most popular pictures for Christmas cards is a Christmas tree.
(Three children decorate a Christmas tree; Grace places a star on the tree)
Hudson:        Hey, that doesn’t go there!
Grace:           What do you mean?
Hudson:        The star goes on top of the tree. Don’t you know anything about Christmas trees?
Grace:           What’s to know about Christmas trees? They’re either real or plastic. You drag them into your living room, hang some fancy decorations on them, maybe throw on a little tinsel, and presto, you have your basic Christmas tree.
Hudson:        In Sunday school we learned that the Christmas tree represents Jesus. Its leaves don’t turn brown and die in the winter like other kinds of trees. Jesus’ love for us is like the evergreen. It never fades. And Jesus lives forever and gives us everlasting life, too!
                        When the tree is decorated, it has lots of coloured lights on it. It was Jesus who said, “I am the Light of the World.”
                        Besides, after it’s all decorated it looks great and makes everyone in the family happy. And that’s what Jesus does, He makes us happy!
Grace:           So you’re saying that the Christmas tree is supposed to be more than just a hunk of wood or plastic sitting in a living room?
Hudson:        That’s right. It should remind us that Jesus was born to give us joy and everlasting life!
Bentley:       Jesus is the reason for the season!
CAROL:         “O Christmas Tree”            verse 1         
(Display Caroling card)    Another Christmas card we receive may have a picture of carolers. Caroling began in the Middle Ages when people acted out the Nativity scene. Carols were a big part of the plays and after the service the carolers strolled down the street still singing their Christmas songs. And that’s how caroling was born.
(Wearing scarves (& hats optional) carolers stroll through the sanctuary as they sing)
“God Rest You Merry Gentlemen”
“It Came Upon The Midnight Clear”
CAROL:         “O Little Town Of Bethlehem”    verse 1
                        (Display Wise Men card)
            The Wise Men are pictured on many cards. These mysterious visitors came from the East. We usually think about them being right at the stable. We sometimes forgot about all the miles they traveled and all the dangers they probably had to face. What might have their trip been like?
CAROL:         “We Three Kings”               verse 1
                        (Wise Men enter during song & walk around sanctuary, then leave)
                        (Display cards from foreign countries)
Germany:     “Frohliche Weinachten”
Mexico:        “Feliz Navidad”
France:          “Joyeux Noel”
Sweden:       “God Yul”
Italy:              “Buon Natale”
England:       “Happy Christmas”
Merry Christmas! Some of us may receive cards from foreign countries this year. Or maybe we’ll send a card to Germany, Mexico, Italy or England. Christmas cards travel from one end of the earth to the other to bring good wishes for the holiday season.
CAROL:         “What Child Is This?”        verses 1 & 2
                        (Nativity characters enter and take places)
                        (Display manger card)
            There are many symbols and scenes that have become a part of our Christmas celebrations year after year: carolers, Christmas trees, Wise Men following the star, and many others. But of course, the reason for all the celebrations and symbols is the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Jesus is the reason we are here tonight. Because He still lives within us, we celebrate His birth by giving gifts, singing songs, and sending Christmas cards. Because over 2000 years ago in a dark and dusty manger, surrounded by warm beasts, a baby was born.
            The baby was so tiny, not like a king at all. But very important people, who were themselves kings, traveled many, many miles from far away countries just to see Him and to bring Him presents. They were very tired, but very happy, too, because the bright and shimmering star they had followed for so long had finally led them to the place where they could see and touch the Baby King. (Wise Men kneel and touch Baby) They gave Him the presents they had carried for such a long time. (Wise Men rise and give gifts to Mary & Joseph and kneel before them) Mary and Joseph were very happy too. They knew that Jesus was important but now they were very glad to know that others had heard how special He was. (Shepherds kneel and touch Baby) Even the stable animals were happy. They could share their warm stable and its sweet smelling hay with the Saviour of the world. Shepherds and Wise Men, sheep and cattle, they were all happy because they all loved the Holy Child.
“Baby Jesus, Holy Child”             Choir
The star over the tiny stable cast silvery streaks of light on the roof where Jesus lay. The Baby yawned a big yawn, as only babies can, and curled His tiny fists a little tighter. He probably took a little nap just like any other baby might. But He wasn’t like any other baby who ever lived or any baby yet to be born. He was God’s own Son. He came into the world to show us how we ought to live. And when He grew up He showed us how we can know God. Jesus is a lot like that star with its light so bright, shining down on the stable in Bethlehem. And His light still shines for us today.
CAROL:         “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Infant Holy, Infant lowly, for a bed a cattle stall,                                                                     Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all.                            Swift are winging angels singing, Nowells ringing, tidings bringing,         Christ the babe is Lord of all. Christ the babe is Lord of all.
 
We should all follow Jesus’ example and spread a little light into the world around us. Tonight we have shared with you our Christmas greeting. But we can all send Christmas greetings year in and year out by living the messages of the hope, peace, joy and love they bring to others.
“A Christmas Greeting”              Choir
CHRISTMAS LITURGY & LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE:
SOLO:                          “Silent Night” in three languages         Joe Hevesy
CAROL:             “Silent Night”      verses 1, 2 & 3
BENEDICTION:        May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the Wise Men and the peace of the Christ Child. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.
CLOSING CAROL:       “Joy To The World”       verses 1 & 2



“The best of all Christmas gifts around any
Christmas tree is the presence of a happy
family all wrapped up in each other.”
 

CALL TO WORSHIP   In every soul, there is a part that yearns to feel God’s presence. In every mind, there are mysteries that can only be answered by things of heaven. As we gather in the time and place, we open our hearts, our souls and minds to experience the story of how God visited the earth. Let us be ready and waiting as we call upon his presence….Come, Emmanuel, God be with us


WELCOME           We’re so happy you could join us today!
 
SCRIPTURE: To a maid whose name was Mary, the angel Gabriel came. “Fear not,” the angel told her, “I come to bring good news;       Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.
 
“MARY DID YOU KNOW”        Morgan & Elizabeth Waller

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
“Prepare The Way Of The Lord” - 
 
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of love.
(Fourth candle is lit)
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us! This is how God showed His love. He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.
A new command I give: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PRESENTATION – “A very special Night”

          We have some places, some people and some animals in this story.
 
(Show Mary and Joseph)
          The first people in the story are Mary and Joseph. 
          In those days the people who made decisions for the surrounding towns decided that they should count everyone that lived in that area of the world. So Joseph had to take Mary to the town of Bethlehem to be counted.
It would take Mary and Joseph a long time to get to Bethlehem. They didn't have cars back then, so they had to walk.  (Everybody stand up and walk on the spot.)  It would take 3 or 4 days of walking.  Mary was already very tired and just wanted to rest or sleep, because she going to have a baby very soon. No way Mary could walk that far? 
 
(Show donkey)
          Mary needed to rest.  (Ask children if they now what Mary could do.)
When Mary and Joseph reached the town of Bethlehem they did not know anyone that lived living there, no one whose house they could go to sleep at, and all the places where people who were just coming for a short visit to the town could stay at were already full.
 
          (Put cow and donkey in stable to far left, then Mary and Joseph)
         Finally, a kind man helped them out, and said they could rest in a small barn (a stable) he owned, where animals usually stayed (Ask children what animals are in the stable)
          Mary and Joseph were thankful that they at least had a place to lie down. It was warm, and there was plenty of straw to lie on.
 (Need something for straw)
          That night an exciting, wonderful thing happened.
 
Choir:    “Mary had a Baby”
         
          (Put baby Jesus between Mary and Joseph)
          Mary had a baby!   But it wasn't just any baby, it was (Ask the children the baby’s name) It was?  ….Baby Jesus!
          The little baby  Jesus fell asleep in Mary's arms then she wrapped him in pieces of cloth and a blanket and  gently put baby Jesus down on some clean straw in a an open wooden box that farm animal food was usually put into.
 
 
 
Choirs Sings:   a cappella   
(To tune Skinnamarinky, Dink  Dink by Sharon Lois and Bram)
 
          Listen little children now, what does Jesus do?
          He Loves you!
          Listen little children now, what does Jesus do?
          He Loves you!
          He loves you in the morning, and in the afternoon,
          He loves you in the evening under…neath the moooon!
          Listen little children now, what does Jesus do?
          He  Loves   You.
 
 
(Put shepherds in front of choir with the two sheep below).
          (Ask the children what kind of animals these are?  And if they could stay in the stable?   That same night two shepherds, men whose job was taking care of sheep, were standing on a hill talking and watching their sheep in their fields. 
 
          Suddenly there was a lot of light. So much light the two shepherds had to close their eyes for a minute.  (Everybody close your eyes and keep them closed). 
 
Someone in choir holds up the angel.
          When they opened their eyes to see what was going on, a beautiful angel was standing in the air just above them with her arms opened wide.
The two shepherds looked at each other to make sure they were not dreaming but it was real, because both of them were seeing the same thing. All at once they were very afraid, but they didn't run because they were too surprised to do anything.
          Then the angel spoke to them. "Do not be afraid. I'm here to bring you something very good for all people that just happened tonight.Tonight in Bethlehem a very special baby has been born, He is the one that will save the world. You will know the baby because He will be wrapped in cloths, and laying in a manger."
 
Suddenly, just like that the angel was gone (make angel disappear)
 
And they could hear a large group of angels, say together,
 
(Choir)        "Glory to God, and peace to all people on earth."
 
          The two shepherds were so surprised and excited, did everyone know this very good thing that just happened, or just them? They had to go see this special baby the angels were talking about.
 
(One person walks shepherds quickly to stable, some else bounces sheep up and down following the shepherds them baahing.) 
 They ran as fast as they could, and soon found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. 
 
(put shepherds in front of Mary and Joseph to left, sheep alongside to left)
          The shepherds dropped to their knees when they saw Jesus, they were feeling so happy they had found the very special baby Jesus, they were full of joy.  They even felt like singing.  Let us sing.
 
Choirs Sing:  To the tune (Joy to the World by Three Dogs Night)
              
           Joy to the world.
           All the Boys and Girls now
           Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
           Joy to you and me.
 
 
          (Show three Kings) Now wise men or Kings. They knew about many things, things that most people could not understand. 
 
          (Show the camel)
          Three wise men were going from one town to another.  What kind of animal do you think they would ride on? 
          (Point to star) and the wise men saw a very strange star in the sky.  The wise men had learned that this strange star meant that a very special baby had been born, a baby that would be a prince of peace or a very special King and this baby would do many special things to save the world when he grew up.
 
          (Hold and move the Kings slowly over towards Jesus. )
          The wise men did not know exactly where the baby was, but they followed the star in the east. They followed the star until it hung right over the very place where Jesus was.
         
          When the wise men finally had arrived where Mary and Joseph were at they were very excited and happy. They found baby Jesus laying in the manager
 
          (Put the Kings in front of Jesus to the right) and they bowed down and worshipped him. 
 
          The Kings had brought gifts for baby Jesus. They were gold, frankincense and myrrh. These were very expensive gifts, gifts that you would give to a King, not to a baby.
 
          The story of Christmas is special, full of miracles and strange visitors all coming to visit a very special baby that someday would become the Saviour of our world.   Happy Birthday Jesus
 
Choir sings:    God’s Surprise

WE WISH YOU A MERY CHRISTMAS
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
 

​THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
“Prepare The Way Of The Lord” - Choir
On this third Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of joy.
(Third candle is lit)
When Christ comes into our lives, He brings the fullness of joy. He anoints our hearts with the oil of gladness.
 
 
When Jesus was born, the angels said that His coming was good news of great joy for all people. Because Christ has come to us, we can live every day in the joy of the Lord. Praise to His name!
 

​CALL TO WORSHIP  
Come, sing to the Lord!
Praise his holy Name!
 
Come sing and praise our God!
For God is our strength and Saviour!
 
So come and be refreshed,
as fresh water brings joy to the thirsty!

Awaiting Stewart's message

​“Prepare The Way Of The Lord” – Choir
On this second Sunday of Advent, as we think about the coming of Jesus Christ, we light the candle of peace.
(Second candle is lit)
Jesus Christ is our peace, He is the Prince of Peace, and the fruit of His presence is peace.
 
Christ comes to bring justice, wholeness and harmony to every relationship throughout all creation. He wants to continually grant us peace in every situation.
Jesus, we pray, guide our feet into the path of peace.

BEARING WITNESS  by Nelson  Weippert
              
        John 1: 6-8, 19-28
        Isaiah 40: 3-6


    Business leaders do not make the front page of newspapers for saying, “Well it wasn’t all about me. 

You see I must give credit to Joey who came before me, and it fact he prepared the way”   No, that would never fly.

Most of us want to get the credit. We want to be known as the one who gets the job done.

    Have you ever heard of a politician thanking the person   she replaced from the rival party. 

MPs acknowledge the work that happened before they arrived on Parliament Hill. They behave as though their appearance is the beginning of something new!   
        
Our culture loves everything new and easily forgets our debt to our fore-fathers, you would think nothing happened until their arrived. They portray themselves as “saviours.” 

         So it is interesting when Jesus quietly makes an appearance, the bible makes it clear even he had some help with the prep work! In politics we call it the ADVANCE TEAM. 


Many years before the prophets had told the people, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, a voice crying out in the wilderness

 “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.” 

Even Jesus needs people to prepare the way

ADVENT is a time for all of us to remember with humility, our ancestors, ministers, laity and people who have prepared the way for us. Think of our ancestors lugging stones from the fields to build this church, I think of Rev. McFadden past minister of Rockburn and most recently Harley Bye. It is thanks to their leadership we continue to worship here in a community of love and joy each Sunday.

In these weeks of Advent John, the author of the fourth gospel, has no trouble distinguishing the one who “BEARS WITNESS ” to the light from the ONE WHO IS THE LIGHT…

The way the writer of John tells the Christmas story in the 1st. chapter of his gospel is a bit upsetting it’s not the familiar story we have come to know. 

Can you imagine a CHRISTMAS PAGEANT with no baby in a cradle--or Mary and Joseph, no angels, no stable, no shepherds, no wise men and no star - with no costumes--no props, it would certainly leave us shortchanged.  “A real downer.”

What we have in the Gospel of John is not a CHRISTMAS PAGEANT but rather an ADVENT PAGEANT, one character sent by God whose name is John. 


Here is our ADVENT PAGEANT, John, standing all by himself in front of the black curtain, saying, No I’m not too important, just doing what God sent me to do, “BEAR WITNESS to the light that is yet to come.

 John wants his listeners to understand that he is not the one they are expecting but the ADVANCE TEAM for THE ONE who is coming. 

John refuses to accept any of the glory. Actually John he is quite 
negative about himself. Listen to what he says: 

NO, I’m not the messiah, No I’m not worthy to untie his sandals. We  recognize  John’s sole purpose was to BEAR WITNESS to the one who is coming. 

John must take a back seat and WAIT for Jesus to take center stage I’m sure this lingering around-this WAITING --was difficult for him. 

Well today we find many serious matters for which we have no choice but to wait. 
-We wait for loved ones to recover from sickness or surgery.
-we wait for the new addition to the family to be born.
--we wait for a safer environment for our grandchildren 
--we wait for peace in the Mid-East
--we wait for the end of terrorists attacks.      
--we wait for the settlement of all refugees.
--we wait for pollution to be controlled.  
We wait and wonder if these difficulties will ever be solved. 
We hope and pray each Sunday-that God’s Kingdom will come to earth. 
And that is what the story of Christmas really about, it began thousands of years before the birth of Christ. The people longed to be rescued from the darkness, one who would bring light—one who would make the blind to see. 
The people longed for that one who would turn their sorrow into joy, and vanquish their enemies.  The prophets told them and us, in difficult times, “WE MUST WAIT ON THE.” It’s a difficult task—this waiting. 
Fortunately we have a GOD OF SURPRISES we never know when God will act and deal with life’s difficult experiences.
I say God of Surprises because it is astounding how many “GOD SURPRISES” we find in the Bible.
-God surprised Moses and parts the Red Sea.
-Samson was surprised with strength to pull down the pillars.
-David defeats the giant Goliath.
-God surprises the Israelites by sending Prophets 
-God surprises India with Gandhi’s walk freedom.
-Surprisingly Nelson Mandela not angry but sets his people free.
-Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat-sparks Civil Right
-The greatest surprise God gave us Jesus to show us the light.

Where do all these surprises come from? They are all GOD”S doing! They are signs that the bible calls God’s Kingdom at work.  
And fortunately, our GOD OF SURPRISE cannot be controlled, for somewhere, sometime, somehow, amongst all the bad, GOOD IS HAPPENING.  
Sometimes we get overwhelmed with all the obstacles in the way of world peace and GOD SURPRIZES us to do what seems impossible. 
In the midst of all the terrorists attacks on civilians God calls CANADA to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees in fact God calls us to do more--we will be bringing up 50,000 by the end of 2016.
What a surprise!!  
We are called to put away our concern over different religious practices—put away fear of possible terrorists infiltrators-to forget the cost and join together to welcome the men, women and children into our communities across Canada.
It’s wonderful to see how all Canadians are pulling together to accommodate these refugees. Contributing dollars—clothing—homes—meals it is amazing. Quebec has started a knitting campaign to knit 25,000 toques. 
I remember Randy Barrington sermon several weeks ago, “Why do we do what we do!” because we to, like John, are BEARING WITNESS of God’s love by what we do!

This ADVENT as wait to celebrate God’s wonderful surprise, the birth of JESUS, his birth reminds us to EXPECT GOD’S SURPRISES IN OUR LIVES and to remember it is not only the big things that count and He calls us to do simple things like
--reading a child a Christmas story
--or visit a senior in the hospital
--maybe sharing some of your Christmas cooking with family and  friends
--or maybe making that  phone call or write a letter to a loved one.  
In this festive season, let each of us reflect the light from the Advent Candles by BEARING WITNESS to God’s Love for all of creation.   
 AMEN