Isaiah 35:1-10 Find a way to lift someone who is weak, to reassure someone who is afraid; offer sight to someone who is not seeing, and good sounds to some who is having trouble hearing…

Well, I read this one when the Advent Prompts came out and I was all set to post about Christmas and the service at Old First and how I love singing carols at the creche and then playing brass as people come into Church for the 8PM service and then singing in the Choir and the hymn/carols with the Congregation....but, the best laid plans of mice and men aft....you know the drill.  I was feeling well enough to go to work today and then well enough to meet up with my family for our annual Maggiano's Dinner.  And I had a great time in both places and felt good until dessert was about to come out - I usually look forward to these desserts but, this time, I was not feeling well again.  And, then my chest issues came back and were partnered with belly pain.  And plans for 5PM services were scuttled and Sarah went with the girls and not me to 8PM services, and I missed out on one of my favorite evenings of Church in the whole year.  But, then my kids came home, and they were excited from the singing, ready for Christmas tomorrow, and filled with joy.  And those kids lift ME up when I am weak, reassure ME when I am afraid, and give me good sounds when I need to hear.  They are the greatest Christmas GIft a man could have.  God Bless you all, I hope you have had as an amazing of an Advent as I have.  Once again, I think Michael for these prompts and the people of Old First Reformed UCC who joined in the discipline with me.  And Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Luke 1:5-25 Go, visit, hold, treasure a baby!

Well, we're down to the last two and, as Anna has reminded me all afternoon, "TOMMOROW IS CHRISTMAS EVE!"  Now, being under the weather today, I did not want to visit anyone with a small baby...I do not want to pass this illness on.  But, when I got home from dropping off my daughter at a friend's house, I noticed that my neighbors, who just had a baby of their own, had not yet put their garbage to the curb as pickup is tomorrow AM.  Well, I thought that maybe the baby was fussy, or they were visiting family, so I started to make the exchange (empty recycling bins for full trash can), and I ran into my neighbor who came out to do it herself.  So we chatted a bit and we talked about her baby, but it just was not safe for me to visit her.  But, excited for tomorrow night, when we will see Baby Jesus (played by Theo V) in the manger in our Live Nativity - THAT is the baby I am waiting for......Happy Advent All!

Revelation 20:1-10 Every time you use a key today, ask yourself, what other doors could I be opening?

Well, I read this last night and tried to predict how many times I would use a key today, thinking about how many doors I would have to consider.  Then, as most of you know, I started to feel sick.  And, in fact, I ended up calling out of work today, staying home sick, and using a key far fewer times than usual.  But this year, in fact, has been about a lot of doors that have opened for me.  I have changed jobs, I have made progression on my dissertation, I have started to take better care of myself (last year, when I started to feel sick, I pushed through until I actually lost my voice!), and I am sure there are more doors in the future that I have not yet even considered.  Being present, being ready (as a previous prompt suggested, keeping my lamp "trimmed and burning") for change, even though change is sometimes scary (especially in the short term), but progress cannot occur without change.  Excited to think what changes (doors will open) will occur in the next year!

Ephesians 6:10-20 Too often we are more aware our weaknesses than our strengths. Identify where you are strong and powerful, capable and competent and lead with those resources — to do something that only you can do

Well, I know I am going to miss these when Advent is over, it has been very fulfilling to look at these each and reflect on the prompts and how they relate with my life. Today, was Tuba Christmas, and, while that is not something that ONLY I can do (witness 60+ other people who played in the concert), but it is certainly where I feel my strengths lie. So I am glad that, even though I was not feeling 100% and I went through a box of tissues at the rehearsal and concert, that I go to play this year and I think it was amazing.

Jude 1:17-25 Our world and our own lives are full of divisions. What could you do to lessen even just one?

It's interesting that this is the prompt for today, as I am considering my theme for 2015....and the leading one right now is Connectedness.  Connectedness is, basically, the opposite of divisions.  Today, I was in my old office in the Nursing School, (finally) packing up to move all my stuff over to my new space.  It's been a really busy semester and I have not had a free moment to pack.  And, as I packed, I reviewed a lot of pieces of paper sitting on my desk.  I saw notes from students, from faculty, from parents, and it was nice.  I think that, between the notes I have in my files, social media (I love that I have 3,900+ FB friends), and our Christmas Card/Letter list (it is fun to send and receive these cards, even to and from people we have not seen much in the last 12 months), I have been able to try to stay connected to as many people as I can.  I hope this can continue, even as my primary job responsibilities have changed....I think I will try to make sure that it does.  In the Tipping Point, Malcom Gladwell calls people Connectors (see my Daily Reflection from 12/16).  I cherish being a Connector and I like that is can lessen the divisions in life.

Matthew 11:2-15 Keep your eye out for people you come across who surprise you, especially for those whose goodness you did not expect or have been hoping for.

This morning was the funeral of my good friend, Russ Lynn. And, as stated previously, I do NOT do well at viewings and funerals....I come apart, crying, quite easily. So today, as I approached the Church for Mass, I was looking for someone to sit by, to give me support, even if they did not know they were giving. And I, luckily, found a seat in front of another Nursing faculty colleague who, while she probably did not know it, helped me hold it together merely with her calm presence. Yes, I sobbed a bit, and I wiped my tears away, but the love I felt in the room, for Russ, from family, friends, colleagues, and students was, frankly, MORE than I expected (I did expect it, just not at the volume I felt), and that love ALSO helped me through a tough, tough morning.

Isaiah 9:18-10:4 Offer help to someone who is all alone in the world, a widow or an orphan (literally or figuratively).

Well, some days, I think Divine intervention is at work.  After a really nice day at work that included an end-of-the-day department holiday party and a retirement party for a valued colleague, I had a busy evening.  A viewing for a dear friend, who left this Earth way too soon and then a Choir rehearsal for Christmas Eve music, left me saddened and then uplifted.  And as that range of emotions was settling, and we were all getting ready to go to bed, we heard a strange noise outside and ran outside.  A tree branch had come down and hit the power lines of the house across the street.  So we called 9-1-1 and we made sure the people in the house were OK (and made them hot coffee) and then sat and were impressed by the quick  response by the Police, Fire Dept, PSE&G, and even Comcast.  In an hour they were restored, but, I was happy to have been able to offer help to them, even for that one hour that they were "orphaned" from their home.  Glad all is well.

(Original Post from 12/14) John 3:22-30 Take a bath today, especially if you usually shower. You might even add bubbles.

‪#‎livingAdventCalendar‬: Thanks to Pastor Michael!

Whups - today will have to be another "deferred discipline" day. Today was filled with too many activities to be able to stop and take a bath (if I am going to soak, it'll be for a while). Maybe Tuesday (sorry Michael!), but, today, I had to shower so we could be on time for Choir Practice.....more updates on this one in a date coming soon......

Mark 1:1-18 Straighten out one thing (or relationship) that is mixed up, messy or otherwise out of whack.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled Advent discipline (after yesterday's comment-inducing bonus bubbly coverage).

So, I would like to think (and others can correct me if my beliefs are wrong), I am the kind of person who does not like to let relationships get mixed up, messy, or otherwise out of whack. I try hard (some tell me too hard) to make everyone happy, trying to get everyone to like me or at least be OK with me. So, I did not have any specific relationships I set out to straighten today, but, this morning, one of my co-workers did seem to be "out of whack." She is the kind of person that almost always has a smile on her face and, today, her commute was bad and other things may have been on her mind, so I tried to make her smile all day. And I think I succeeded (unless she was humoring me). Sometimes when people are sour, we can react and be sour back. I prefer to try to be kind and understand what might be going on in their lives. If we can make someone smile who is having a bad day, then we can “Prepare the way of the Lord" and "make his paths straight.” I hope I did that today for my coworker.

Isaiah 9:1-7 Stand in “a great light.”

It was a cloudy day today, so there was not a lot of bright light to stand in today, and, as we get closer to 12/21, the day's light gets shorter and shorter, but I was blessed today to have a day off and Sarah was off as well. So we did spend sometime, outside (in the light?) running errands and getting stuff done. And I was so happy to hang out with my wife today, that the prophecy "there will be no gloom" was fulfilled! 

‪#‎livingAdventCalendar‬: BONUS COVERAGE Deferred from 12/14 - John 3:22-30 Take a bath today, especially if you usually shower. You might even add bubbles.

‪#‎livingAdventCalendar‬: BONUS COVERAGE

Deferred from 12/14 - John 3:22-30 Take a bath today, especially if you usually shower. You might even add bubbles.

Now, I have to admit, I have not gotten into a bathtub in over 9 years. Hot Tub, yes. Heated Pool, yes. But the idea of trying to clean oneself while in water with the dirt swimming around...well....makes me squeamish (right Beth Davis??). BUT, I made a promise to this discipline and I wanted to honor that promise and Michael suggested a bubble bath, so, tonight, Sarah"drew me a bath" and we did the best with bubbles as we could (Johnson's Baby Shampoo). And, I admit, I was hoping for more bubbles AND the tub is not as big on the inside as it looks from the outside, but I hope this'll do. The water WAS relaxing (although I did not feel baptized) and it did make it easy for me to cut my fingernails (hands pruned after only 10-15 minutes!), but I did have to take a shower to clean off afterwards, sorry, I just had to. 

Luke 22:39-53 No church today, but you could pray anyway!

Well now, yes, I DO pray, even when not in Church. And it's a great relaxation technique, when things get busy during the day, to stop, take a deep breath, and close one's eyes and pray. BUT, today, I DID have Church. OK, Church Elders Meeting, but I prayed on the way there that the budget worksheet I helped prepare would be well received and, after the meeting, I prayed thanksgiving that it WAS well received, that the meeting went well, and prayed for Larry's health (as our moderator was under the weather). Also prayed thanks that my 10-year old daughter made me grilled cheese sandwiches. A great ending to a tiring day.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 Explore wasted, productive and sabbath time.

Apologies for the delay in yesterday's Advent posting, ironically, I was resting.  And that brings us to today's prompt and verses.  Friday night was a late night and we had some stuff to do Saturday AM, so, by the afternoon/evening, I was bushed.  I NEEDED the sabbath time and I took a nap.  But I (with assistance from Sarah) also, yesterday, including the AM tasks, got some fundraising candy ready for distribution, helped (a little bit) with the PTA Lunch with Santa, attended a Nursing celebration, got a haircut, had lunch with a good friend, and started working on our Christmas card......all on a "lazy Saturday"......pretty good combination of "productive and sabbath time."  From the looks of it - we have the same combination for Sunday!

Luke 22: 14-30: Include communion with dinner (that’s how it was the first time!).

As you can see from the pics on my Facebook Page, tonight was not the typical dinner night.  While Alexa and her friends were at the Snowball Dance, many of the 7th grade girls' parents got together for a get together of our own.  There was bread, and there was wine, but, I have to admit, we did not do the prayer part of the Communion.  So, I will take this as a 1/2-way completed Advent discipline, and, as with the figs, ensure I complete it before Christmas comes!  :-D

Psalm 37:1-18 At noon today, take 2 minutes and “wait for the Lord:”

First off - I FINALLY ATE A FIG NEWTON! Two, in fact. This AM I went to Wawa for breakfast and was able to get a pack. I felt so much better to have been caught up.....

.....so on to TODAY! Man, this Psalm is a good one. And the prompt to take a pause at ANY time during a day (Noon or otherwise) is a good one. Taking a short break to take a breath and relax and center oneself is a necessity. My work project has had a busy few weeks, and, at Noon (well, 12:15 to be honest), I had just returned to my office after a presentation to a bunch of colleagues (the second in two days). It was good to close my eyes, take a breath....and center.

BUT, what I really need to take forward from this Psalm is this poignant verse:

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Less anger and wrath = GOOD!

John 7:53-8:11 When you catch yourself noticing someone else’s wrongdoing, instead, bring to mind something you have not done as well as you should.

So, today was another figless day - I was quite busy again and did not make it to Wawa to get a Fig Newton, maybe tomorrow....Now to today's verses, I am not the kind of person who likes to find wrong in others, in fact, I have been accused many time of being too forgiving of others. There is a person I rarely forgive, and that is myself. I know this prompt from Michael is more about not judging others (i.e. let he who is without sin cast the first stone). But, honestly, I do not think that is my main issue. So, today, at work, when I felt really bad about things I had not gotten done, and the impact it had on some of my teammates, I was told to forgive myself BY my teammates, and they forgave me. So lucky to be on such an amazing team. Tomorrow, a fig newton!

Luke 21:29-38 Eat something made with figs.

OK, I'll admit it, I messed up today.  Not only did I think figs were Sunday, but I forgot they were today - and today was a busy day....so I did not get to Wawa to buy fig newtons (yes, I was going to take the easy way out).  But I had a busy day at work and then had to rush home, grab dinner, and get to the School for the Winter Concert with Anna and Alexa and Sarah.

So, no figs today (I will have to grab a newton tomorrow AM and make up for it).  So I read deeper into the verses and found "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly."

Now this morning, we had a department wide meeting and they discussed emergency preparedness - including an active shooter video.  And, frankly, the video upset me and I cried during it.  It affected me at the core, not only because I work on a campus, but also because I worry about School shootings and my kids' safety.  But, tonight, as I read the above verses, I realized that, although it is good to know safety procedures and be aware of what to do JIC (just in case) something happens, to allow one's heart to be worried and to allow it to drag one down, could likely cause a day to catch me unexpectedly.

Now, something did catch me unexpectedly, my VP heard that I was affected by the video and stopped by my office near the end of the day to make sure I was OK.  I really appreciated that and, next time, I will try to take the verses about closer to hear.  And, tomorrow I will eat fig newtons.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Build someone up. Surely, you can say something encouraging. Or send an affirming e-note.

I looked at this one this morning, and, guess what, yup, just as with the hugs I said to myself, I do this all the time! And, in my new job, it is a huge part. As a Team Leader, I supervise nobody (directly), but my job is to get people in the project motivated to get the job done! And I think I am effective so far, we are moving along nicely and seem to be having fun doing it. Sure - there will be some rough patches along the way, but that is when we really need to encourage each other and lift each other up. I got a nice email today from one of my former colleagues in Nursing and it certainly lifted me up, so I tried to pass it forward all day....I think I'll continue to try all week!

Psalm 115 Give someone a back rub, or at least a good hug.

OK, so I was all ready to eat something figgy today and, oops, that is TUESDAY'S prompt....So today's prompt was easy - HUG someone.  I am not sure a day goes by without me hugging someone. Look at my Daily Positivity Post (Day #224) and you will see how much I love hugs (especially with my kids).  But I hug at work too (have to make sure people do not feel their personal space is violated) and these past few days have been awesome because my parents are here and I can hug them too!  And I think that hugs spread good spirits and can be done, as the Psalmist says in today's verses, "for the sake of [God's] steadfast love and [God's] faithfulness."  How better to express the outward expression of God's love than with a hug.

O O O O O O O O O!!!! <HUGS>

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Listen to some music with some strong brass today.

Well now, if you know anything about me, you KNOW I do not have to be told to listen to brass music.  As a tuba player married to a trombone player, we often have brass music playing in our house.  And we took advantage of this day's idleness to practice our music for the upcoming Winter Concert at the girls' school this week.  So we were able to produce the brass music that we were prompted to hear this day.

But, for those of you who want to hear more, I give you this awesome performance on the Tuba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxr4ysMhkSo

Luke 20:41-21:4 Take time and consider — really — what would it mean “out of our poverty, to offer God all that we have.”

So, having already submitted our pledge for 2015 for OFR online (what can I say, the Church Treasurer needs to follow the new trends in Stewardship), I could actually, today, turn to think about the prompt that had been given for today. I do have to admit that I was nervous when we started to give our offering online, as the first online bill paid early in the month. Trying to follow the "First Fruits" philosophy. And, honestly, it has not been hard. I, however, cannot claim to give all that I have/can. We give a lot, but we also save for vacations, activities for the kids, and some niceties such as eating out and iPhones and, and, and. We truly are blessed with abundance and we need to stop and thank God for all that we have and consider, as the prompt states, how we could give more and move a little bit closer to "poverty" (knowing full well we are still well off) so that God can have more.

I am thankful I was raised to be generous and thankful to have a church that does so much good with the riches bequested to it. I stopped and thought today how we could give more, and, during season where the mass consumption is everywhere you look, it was a nice thought for this evening.

Thessalonians 3:1-13 Ask someone you admire to tell you about why they are the way they are. At the end of the day, remember them in your prayers with thanksgiving.

Now, today, I also knew the readings all day - and knew the theme too. And, while I did not SPECIFICALLY ask anyone today these specific questions, it has been a joy having my mom and dad visiting this week. I am so glad they are here to see Alexa play basketball and to hear Alexa and Anna play in the Winter Concert at OPS! They usually come in November, and are home in CA by the time these things happen. Although it is colder for them, I am glad they are here "off-season." And I admire my parents a lot. Through talking with them over the years, I pretty much know why they are the way they are. I think my Grandpop Bechtel imbued his love of nature and the outdoors to my mom. I think my dad's foster parents' loving care helped make him into the loving father and grandfather that he is. And I think my dad's father, Paul Sherr, was competitive and that made my dad like to win (I mean everyone likes to win but my dad and I are pretty competitive  ). So I think I know why they are the way they are and, thus, know why _I_ am the way _I_ am - I do say a prayer of thanksgiving tonight (and most every night) for my family and my luck to have been born into this great family. That is luck (and yes, privilege) for which I will ever be grateful.

Isaiah 2:1-11 Plant a seed in a pot on the window sill today.

I, again, read the subject of today's Live Advent discipline early in the AM.  And I thought, actually, about getting a seed and a cup of dirt (like a 3rd grade science experiment)..but, honestly, I did not have time.  So then I thought about the other ways that we plant seeds.....and my thoughts, of course, turned to my kids.  They are the saplings that Sarah and I are cultivating and this evening was spent "fertilizing" them with the multitude of activities that we have on a Wednesday evening (even extra today because of the Soccer Awards ceremony).  So we had Soccer Awards, Basketball practice, gymnastics, and piano AND THEN we came home and checked homework and enjoyed our kids and watching them interact with their grandparents (and old pictures discovered on Google+.  What an excellent evening.  And, for me, with kids, while there is sometimes frustration, there is never hostility.  And this speaking to Michael's suggestion that "if you bury some enmity with that seed, by Christmas, you just might know more peace."  Would that the nation and the world buried their enmity so that peace could reign.

1 Thessalonians 1-12 Surprise someone (and maybe yourself too) with your gentleness.

So, on Day #5 of the living Advent calendar, I finally had a day where I read the passage in the morning, so I knew about it all day (see the issue when we ate dinner and neglected to use candles, reading the passage too late). And I spent the whole day trying to surprise someone with my gentleness. Now, although large and loud, I would consider myself pretty gentle, by nature. So I was not sure how to make it a surprise. Sure I held the door for someone at Wawa (they seemed surprised), but that did not see like it was Advent-worthy.....So, now, I read the passage again, and this jumped out at me:

"though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle* among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children"

Today was a vacation day from my job. I picked it because I have "use it or lose it" days this month (I cannot earn over the cap) and I had no meetings. But, last week, I was asked to give a talk to some graduating students (part of my old job), since my position remains unfilled. So I did. And I realized one facet of my old job that I cannot replace in my new one. Nurses care so much for people in this world. The sick and the well, the young and the old. And, in my old job at the Nursing School, I helped nurses become nurses (and NPs and CNMs and CRNAs and CNSs). So I nursed the nurses, if you will. And, today, I did it for one of the last times, as a favor to a former colleague. So I hope I was gentle among them, and I hope that they, in their new practice as midwives, will be gentle among their patients as well.

Isaiah 1: 10-20 In the midst of holiday shopping, make a gift for justice.

So today was Cyber Monday, but I did not buy anything online today. In fact, I did not do much shopping at all this past weekend, enjoying, instead, time with my family. But today, I made a pledge to Habitat for Humanity in honor of my friend, who is organizing a Day of Service activity on MLK Day. I cannot attend, because I will be with the kids that day, they have off, and this is an 18+ event. So, instead, I will give my funds and hope that the houses built will help someone in need get a new start in life....and that is where justice starts, with the basic needs in life, education, housing, and fair wages.

Matthew 25:1-13 Keep Your Lamps Lit in anticipation of the Coming of Jesus!

And, as suggested, we were supposed to eat dinner together, but candlelight. And, sadly, I am only reading this at 10:24PM and we ate together, in low light, but NOT by candles.....so, I am going to stretch it here (with apologies to the Pastor), and reflect on an occurrence tonight. I was preparing to play in a benefit concert for a charity run by my friends here in Oaklyn, benefiting kids in Camden and getting them needed hats and scarves for the impending winter....and the house lights were about to go out and the violin section was worried because they did not have a stand light (to see their music). I was certain I'd be able to see in whatever light was around me, so I gave up my stand light to them, so that they would be comfortable and, as I guessed, I could see just fine and the concert opening number (Ode to Joy) went off without a hitch.....so, I did not eat by candlelight, but I did give my light to someone else in need and, was just fine in the end.....

(tomorrow I will be more aware of the discipline and will try to get it right!) 

AND, here is the song I always think of when I hear this scripture:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWcgwUJP0F0

Luke 19:41-48 - list issues facing Philadelphia and what we can do to make things better.

The first two verses say: "As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."

Although I consider myself a Philadelphian, I no longer live IN Philadelphia. Working at Penn and worshipping at OFR, I spend a LOT of time in Philly, sometimes more waking hours than I spend in Oaklyn. And the issues I think are facing Philly are similar to those facing Oaklyn and our country at large.

What I think we need to work on:

* Education - Education is the equalizer. Without a proper education, there is less of a chance for the "American Dream". We watch by the sidelines as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. And education seems to be under siege these days. Definitely in Philadelphia, but also here in Oaklyn, and I am guessing in many areas where there is a large concentration of people in need. Without access to quality education, "at risk" kids do not have a chance...and, sadly, I think that is what many of the people in power want.

* Discourse - People just do NOT know how to disagree and debate. This is true in Philadelphia where politics "as usual" reigns, but also I see it in online discourse (and to a lesser effect in person) as people with opposing views would rather attack and run than debate and find compromise.

* Voice - As I have been saying to many of my friends, we seem to have government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. No matter the side of the aisle, one must be rich to run.... so the voice of the needy is seldom heard and often ignored.

So what can we do? I think we need to be involved in our local schools, we need to hold officials accountable, especially in local areas, and we need to do what we can, also understanding that the playing field at home is not level and teachers have our kids for 7 hours day, and that the other 17 matter greatly. For discourse, all I can think is that I want to continue to be positive and try to model good debate, I do not want to fall into the cycle of name calling. I try hard to abide, it is not always easy. And for voice, I am not sure. Short of a revolution (which cause more issues than it might solve), I am not sure how to expand the voice of the needy, but I have to admire the work of POWER and I am glad that OFR is so involved.

And, finally, yes, I know this post is long in issues, and short in solutions....but I think the goal of this Advent exercise was to bring out issues and review them regularly....noting that these are large issues that need constant attention. And attend to them I will try.

Zechariah 14:1-11 Do something for yourself that brings you “in the light, and makes you feel warm or secure”

I spent today with my family - and that is about the best thing I can do to bring me into "the light." I see the light of God in my children and when we were sitting at dinner, laughing until the tears (of happiness) streamed down my face, i do not think I could feel any warmer or more secure in my happiness.