3Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020

Lection Connection links current events with this week’s scriptures. Go to www.seasonsonline.ca and click on the link.

Choose to Wait

people neglected and mistreated Jesus. It is important to remember that the first readers of the gospel were, in many ways, like us; they already believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and they had already been captivated by the visions of the prophets like Isaiah. Matthew’s writings and parallels can be seen more as literary tools used to help promote Jesus as the new Moses.

Psalm 122 gives an example of how to live into the hopes set out in Isaiah. We are invited to imagine what the house of God is, and what it might be like. It is a place that we will be certainly glad to arrive, but it is also a place that we are call and inspired to build on Earth as well.

In Romans 13:1–14 we are invited to reflect on our role and actions as disciples of Jesus who are waiting for God’s hope to be fulfilled while living in the world. How should we act while we are waiting? To whom should we look to as role models and guides?

Matthew 24:36–44 provides an interesting metaphor for the second coming of Christ, like a thief in the night. The author encourages the people to prepare, to be on the alert and ready, to expect the unexpected.

• • • • •In this first week of Advent, we are encour-aged to choose to actively wait for Jesus’ coming. What might that coming look like? Will the coming of Jesus bring a world peace so preposterous that it is hard to imagine? Will we glimpse what it is like to be in “the house of the God”? Will we transcend the creature comforts that often trap us?

Focus scripture: Isaiah 2:1–5The first testament readings throughout the Advent season focus on Isaiah and help us to explore our eschatology by painting with words and song what hope in a new world might look like.

The book of Isaiah is epic and, not surprisingly, prophetic. The book, as we know it, spans centuries and speaks directly to the people of Jerusalem under the rule of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires. In many ways, Isaiah is an ideal prophet. He speaks God’s word offering judgement, comfort, and hope while still remaining pastoral. In the middle of a war field, Isaiah declares that swords will be beaten into ploughshares. What might be a modern-day equivalent that your community could easily relate to? It is unreasonable to suggest that this image of peace makes the end of war today likely, as these creative images, or dreams planted in the faithful have been handed on for thousands of years and yet war still exists.

The gospel of Matthew is familiar with the first testament and refers to it often. The dreams and aspirations that we read in Isaiah are ones that many of the first readers of the gospel of Matthew carried with them. We may experience some echoes in language. It is tempting to read the gospel into the first testament; to act like Jesus is a fulfillment of all of the prophecies that we will read in Isaiah over the next few weeks. Such imposition of Jesus into the first testament has dangerous repercussions as it supports anti-Semitic rhetoric that claims the Jewish

Focus scriptureIsaiah 2:1–5

Additional scripturesPsalm 122Romans 13:11–14Matthew 24:36–44

God of Hope,bless our Advent journey, strengthen our faith, secure our bonds, and enliven our imagination for a better world.Amen.

December 1, 2019

This Sunday marks both the beginning of the liturgical year and the start of Advent. Advent is a unique opportunity for the faithful to anticipate the coming of Jesus by exploring eschatology (how will it all end?), Christology (who is Jesus and is he the Christ?), and discipleship (what does it mean to follow Jesus?). Although Advent is a time of waiting and preparing, it is also a time of decision making. What do we hope for (eschatology)? Do we believe that Jesus will help us get there (Christology)? And how (discipleship)?

4 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019

Before the sessionq Read and prayerfully reflect on this

week’s focus scripture, Isaiah 2:1–5, and biblical background material (p. 3).

q Review “About this Advent, Christmas, Epiphany” (p. 1) and “This Advent, Christmas, Epiphany for Ages 12–14” (p. 2).

q To access connections between current events and the focus passage, visit www.seasonsonline.ca and click on Spirit Sightings. Bring information that might inform this week’s session.

q Set a worship space with blue or purple cloth (depending on your tradition), Bible with bookmark placed in focus passage, and an Advent wreath (see suggestions in Virtual Resource Booklet in Library at www.seasonsonline.ca).

q Bring basic supply kit (p. 2) and, if possible, Seasons Songbook, Volume 9; Seasons Music CD, Volume 9; and CD or MP3 player; downloadable sheet music and MP3 recordings are available at www.seasonsonline.ca.

The Focus for Ages 12–14

Twelve to 14-year-olds are increasingly exposed to and aware of situations of conflict around the world. Young

people also face their own conflicts within friendship groups, families, and themselves. They are likely to wonder about how they are expected to get along with others, when adults seemingly cannot work out their difficulties without resorting to warfare.

Members of the group may be involved in school transitions. This can be an enormously difficult and troubling time. Friendships may radically shift at this time, as can one’s identity. Young people can find themselves establishing new friendship groups, while attempting to maintain existing friendships. Some of them may be experiencing bullying.

Moreover, as young teenagers begin to discover and establish their own values, they may reject some of those belonging to their family, and experience isolation and a battle of wills for the first time.

The session offers opportunities for young people to voice and name their concerns about the world and their own struggling relationships, and explore God’s promise of peace. They can be reassured that they are not powerless, but in fact have resources which they can use in their own relationships and in their worlds. Pray that God’s promises of peace, now as it was in Isaiah’s time, will empower the members of the group to live as people of hope.

Gatherq Bring, if possible, song “Come, Holy

Spirit” (p. 12 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 9; #13 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 9).

q Bring copies of resource sheet “Seasonal Prayers” (p. 85); keep copies for next week.

q Bring newspapers and magazines with articles about conflict.

RespondChoose from the options provided. Prepare and bring the materials.

q Reflection: copies of resource sheet “Transformation”

q Poster: poster board

q Role play: copies of resource sheet “A Scenario”

Blessq Bring, if possible, song, “The Peace of the

Earth” (p. 36 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 9; #10 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 9).

Prepare

December 1, 2019

5Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020

Choose to Wait

Welcome young people to the Season of Advent, a time to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christ-mas. Gather around the worship area, noting the new colour and Advent wreath which are sym-bolic for this season. Explain the symbolism of the wreath: the green circle representing God’s never-ending love, the coloured candles to count the weeks of Advent, and the white Christ candle which is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.Sing or listen to, if possible, the song “Come, Holy Spirit” (p. 12 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 9; #13 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 9).Advent candles Invite a volunteer to light the first blue or purple candle, representing hope, in the Advent wreath.

Pray Invite volunteers to lead in the “Gathering prayer for Advent” on the resource sheet “Sea-sonal Prayers” (p. 85).

Making connectionsInvite group members to name some of the con-flicts around the world that disturb or concern them. Distribute newspapers or magazines and cut out some articles and images of local and global conflicts and disagreements. Share these with each other and then place the clippings in the worship space. Encourage group members to think of these conflicts as they explore a mes-sage of God through the words of a prophet named Isaiah.

December 1, 2019

Scripture

Isaiah 2:1–5

FOCUS To explore the ways in which we are a part of God’s promise of peace

Setting the sceneInvite young people to find the book of Isaiah in their Bibles. Explain that this is the longest prophet book in the Bible, written over a very long time by more than one person. There were probably three authors and the book can be divided into three sections. This week’s read-ing comes from the first section, messages which were given to the people of Judah during the time that the Empire of Assyria was threatening to take over their country. Invite group members to imagine that they were living in the time when these words were written. Then ask:

n What would you be worried about? What would you be hoping for?

Moving into the storyInvite young people to find Isaiah 2:1–5. Ask a volunteer to read the passage aloud while the rest of the group follows in their Bibles. Then dis-cuss the following questions together:

n What hope is God offering to the people of Judah through the voice of Isaiah?

n What help is promised by God?

Have the group look again at Isaiah 2:4. Then ask:

n What does God say will be transformed?

n How would this make the nations act differ-ently?

n What comfort might these words bring to the people of Judah?

66 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019

create a poster, transforming these stories into symbols of peace. Draw the outline of a large dove and a sheet of poster board and have the group fill it with a collage of words and images cut from the articles. Have them choose a title for the poster and display in the church hall.

q Role play This week’s reading speaks of a vision of peace. Distribute copies of the resource sheet “A Scenario” and form pairs to think about the reflection questions and create an ending to the scenario showing a way the situation might be transformed in a peaceful way. Take turns performing completed scenarios for the rest of the group, noting the variety of possibilities for living in God’s way of peace.

Connecting scripture with lifeIsaiah offered a vision of transformation and of God’s way of peace. n What situations in the world, the nation, and the

local community are in need of transformation?

n What are some things we can do to practice God’s way of peace?

n What are some hopeful things that you see happening in the world, at school, or in your neighbourhood?

Gather in the worship area and light the candle again. Read the definition of “Shalom” from the top of the resource sheet “Transformation” and invite group members to reflect on the following questions, in silence: What are the places in your life that need shalom? What steps can you take to mend broken or damaged relationships?

Sing or listen to, if possible, the song “The Peace of the Earth” (p. 36 in Seasons Songbook, Vol. 9; #10 on Seasons Music CD, Vol. 9).

Blessing Invite volunteers to lead in the “Blessing prayer for Advent” on the resource sheet “Sea-sonal Prayers” (p. 85).

What insights did your group raise about the need for peace and transformation? In what ways do you see God’s promises for peace being fulfilled in these young people? How might you nurture hope within the group?

December 1, 2019

Choose one or more of the following options.

q Reflection Isaiah tells of God’s vision of a day when the nations will “beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” Distribute copies of the resource sheet “Transformation” and invite a volunteer to read the story. Discuss the first question as a group. Then invite group members to reflect on the next two questions on their own, responding in words and/or drawings on the back of the page.

q Poster People today are also longing for a vision of hope and peace. Look again at the newspa-per or magazine clippings about conflict that are in the worship space. Invite the group to

7Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020

Resource sheet • June 19, 2012Resource Sheet December 1, 2019

THERE ARE SEVERAL astounding statistics about the country of Laos. It is one of the poorest countries in Asia. And the United Nations has confirmed that Laos is the most bombed country per capita in the history of the world. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, over two million tons of bombs were dropped on the mountains and jungles of Laos in an effort by the United States to cut off routes that were travelled by North Vietnamese troops.

Today Laotians are still affected by these bombs. About 30% of them did not explode at the time they were dropped so that live bombs still litter the country. Each year, about 200 people are killed and many more are injured when these bombs are accidentally exploded.

But some have found a way for these deadly bombs to be transformed into something useful. Even though it is dangerous work, many Laotians, including youth, are using metal detectors to search the fields or craters

Transformation

for pieces of metal that can be sold for a living and made into products people can use.

A blacksmith turns a mortar bomb into farm tools. A little girl plants her flowers in a container that was the shell of a pineapple bomb. A horse eats from a trough made from the pieces of a cluster bomb that were unearthed. Villagers drink tea from cups that were once the shells of small bomblets. These deadly weapons of war, meant to harm, now have a practical purpose and provide a living for the people of Laos.

n How do you see God’s promise for peace in the way the Laotian people are transforming bombs into something life-giving?

n What in your life needs to be changed or transformed in order to bring about God’s promise of peace?

n What will this transformation require of you?

Shalom is a word belonging to the Hebrew people that is often defined as peace. But it means a great deal more than peace and the absence of conflict. It is a way of life that strives for healing, wholeness, blessing, and fulfillment. Most significantly, it seeks to mend broken and damaged relationships.

Shalom

8 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020 Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019

Resource Sheet December 1, 2019

Lila is not as tall as most of the girls in her class. She is a little overweight and she cannot hear

very well. She needs two pinkish hearing aids that sit close behind her ears so she can communicate with others. Since she cannot hear very well, her speech is a little bit slurred and low in tone.

Lila doesn’t have as many friends as most 14-year-olds. It is hard for her friends to tell her jokes as she often misses the punch line and must be told directly. Someone must look at her so she can follow their lips. Usually people do not bother telling Lila the punch line, and the conversation keeps on going, and Lila is lost.

Since Lila began high school, things have become even more difficult for her. Her closest friends went to another high school that does not have a deaf integration program. New people are usually put off by Lila. Not only do others avoid Lila, some have started to share cruel jokes about her.

James was in Lila’s school last year and he is not put off by her. James’ class was taught by a special teacher about communicating with Lila, and he knows it’s not that hard. He noticed that Lila sits by herself at lunchtime. James is

A Scenario

n How could this situation be transformed?

n What would show the way of peace or shalom?

n What could James do? What could Lila do?

nervous about being close friends with Lila because he does not want to be included in the cruel jokes. James has a birthmark above his eyebrow that he covers with his hair. He is self-conscious about the mark and is worried that the other kids might make jokes about him too.

James has a terrific sense of humour and has made lots of friends because he is funny. But James thinks his new friends might not like him so much if they see him being friendly with Lila. James walks past the steps of the library and sees Lila crying alone. He feels shame rising up inside when he thinks about swimming in her pool at her last birthday party and having a terrific time wrestling with her black Labrador, Mickey.

Reflect on the following questions and develop an ending to this scenario to share with the rest of the group.

85Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2019 Seasons of the Spirit™ Ages 12–14 Advent • Christmas • Epiphany 2019–2020

Gathering prayer for AdventOne: Holy God, as we journey through Advent.

All: May we live as people of hope.

Two: As we journey through Advent.

All: May peace be revealed in our lives.

Three: As we journey through Advent.

All: May we find joy in unexpected places.

Four: As we journey through Advent.

All: May we hear your call to mercy and love. Amen.

Seasonal Prayers

Blessing prayer for AdventOne: We are sent to live as people

of hope.

Two: We are sent to live as people of peace.

Three: We are sent to live as people of joy.

Four: We are sent to live as people of love.

All: May God be with us in this Advent time. Amen.

Gathering prayer for EpiphanyKeeper of our souls,

we seek your way for our lives.

Refresh us in your holy mercy.

So open our hearts

to your power of possibility,

that through joy and sorrow

we may deepen in wisdom

and grow in the light of compassion.

Let us see with the eyes

of the loving Creator,

hear with the ears of Jesus,

and shine with the power

of your Spirit.

Renew us in true community,

as Christ-light for the world.

This we pray as your people.

Amen. From Living the Christ Life,

by Louise Mangan, Nancy Wyse, with Lori Farr.Wood Lake Publishing. Used by permission.

Blessing prayer for EpiphanyMay God give your soul goose bumps.

May Christ leave you footprints that fit your feet.

May the Spirit dance in your being.

May all of heaven curve towards whatever path you walk.

And may you know that you are surrounded by the love of God. Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer by Roddy Hamilton.)