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3rd Week of Advent Devotions: Friday, 12/22/06

Mary said to Elizabeth, “My heart praises the Lord; my soul is glad because of God my Savior, for he has remembered me, his lowly servant! From now on all people will call me happy, because of the great things the Mighty God has done for me. His name is holy; from one generation to another he shows mercy to those who honor him. He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans. He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors, and has come to the help of his servant Israel. He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!” Mary stayed about three months with Elizabeth and then went back home. (Luke 1:46-56 TEV)

Mkombozi – Savior

It is not so often that a journalist thinks to tell a story that makes

you right with God or even to do it in the Observer about something

that happened on the other side of the world in Nairobi.

Ours is not to wonder why

ours is but to do or die trying

to make us right with God.

This story is one of those of a dog named Mkombozi a dog giving birth to

her own kind sniffing out a day-old girl with ten fingers and ten toes born to

parents who threw her away gift-wrapped in a plastic bag that could have

snuffed the candle out the light in her eyes gone quick before

anyone realized what that could mean on that side of the world or this.

Ours is not to wonder why

ours is but to do or die trying

to make us right with God.

Her Savior found her and dragged her across the road under barbed wire to a

shed where she dropped her into her litter of pups mewing and groaning as

small creatures do knowing no difference between three and two of any kind

to make meaning for anyone on this side of the world or that

so new from Heaven they named her Angel.

Ours is not to wonder why

ours is but to do or die trying

to make us right with God.

Susan Miller

What shall we offer you, O Christ,

who for our sakes has appeared on earth as man?

Every creature made by you offers you thanks.

The angels offer you a hymn;

the magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder;

the earth, its cave;

the wilderness, the manger:

And we offer you a Virgin Mother,

O God from everlasting, have mercy on us. Amen.

Christmas Schedule

Church of the Beloved’s 5^th Birthday Celebration will begin on Christmas Eve and will continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas ending with the Epiphany Pageant on January 7^th. Special birthday party favors will be an added treat. You are invited to be a part of any or all of these festive celebrations:

7pm, Christmas Eve “Christ Mass” (December 24: seasonal music begins 30 minutes before worship and hot cider and Christmas cookies will be served afterwards)

5:30-9pm, 5^th Day of Christmas Open House (Friday, December 29^th, Harbin home)

9:30am, 7^th Day of Christmas New Year Blessing (December 31: bring your calendars, planners or PDAs to be blessed)

9:30am, Epiphany Pageant followed by a birthday party for Jesus (January 7)

Please note: This year, December 24^th is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. Though Sunday morning’s worship will not be a Christmas celebration, please join us for worship and for the “Greening of the Church” (decorating) afterwards!