Let’s face it. Our idea of Love is often limited.

We tend to think of it in terms of an emotional exchange. At best, we see it as something we extend to those who we feel deserve it.

But the radical story of Jesus tells us something different. It tells us Love is bigger than that.

In fact, it tells us that Jesus shows us what unconditional love looks like when it’s lived out in human flesh and bones…and its ultimate expression is liberation for all.

This week at New Wineskins, we’ll end our (r)Advent journey with a discussion of how Love extended to those most oppressed and marginalized by our societal systems and structures is the heartbeat of reality and the key not only to their liberation, but our own.

Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 19, in our New Wineskins Virtual Theology Pub as we celebrate the 4th Sunday of (r)Advent with a conversation focused on the ways Love always gets the last word.

*Please note: This will be our final regular Sunday gathering of 2021. We will resume our regular schedule beginning Jan. 9, 2022. Please see the full schedule at the bottom of this post.

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Week 4 Candle Lighting Liturgy:

I will light four candles
and I will be willing to light
every taper in my life,
for love asks for all that is needed
and then … for everything else,

for this is how incarnation happens,
how God comes.

We light four candles
or a hundred or a thousand more
whatever it takes
to remind ourselves to live in love.

As ordinary and gentle as the holy welcome
that turns the world upside down,
comes hope, peace, joy, and love
to illuminate our Advent.

I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long. (Howard Thurman)

A Simple Advent Candle Lighting for Home or Church based on Howard Thurman’s “I will Light Candles this Christmas” and “This is Christmas” from The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations by Maren C. Tirabassi

6:00pm EST: Happy Half-Hour (informal meet & greet time)
6:30pm EST: Presentation & conversation begin

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Christmas Schedule:

Friday, Dec. 24: Christmas Eve video: Christ was IS born (link will be provided prior to 12/24)

Sunday, Dec. 26: No gathering (Happy Boxing Day!)

Sunday, Jan 2: Community Sabbath (no gathering)

Sunday, Jan. 9: Epiphany Sunday Celebration (regular weekly schedule resumes)