Are there aspects of the entire life of Jesus and the story imparted by the Gospels that might intimidate us, frighten us, or cause us some hesitation or consternation?
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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Fear and Faith Development
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 31st, 2012
Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, faith development, fear, God, Magi 
Comments OffThe Feast of Christ’s Epiphany
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 2nd, 2012
The feast of Christ’s epiphany or “manifestation” originated among the Christians of Egypt in the third century. The date of January 6 was probably chosen because the Egyptians celebrated their great feast of the winter solstice on that day, in honor of the sun god Horus.
| Posted in Community, Featured |
Tags: Christianity, Christmas, Epiphany, family ministry, intergenerational, Jesus, traditions Comments OffThe Importance of Names
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 30th, 2011
The naming of her child was to be part of the great unfolding of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. And so this simple act of obedience and following the ancestral tradition was used for the glory of God.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Baptism, children's ministry, Christmas, Holy Name, Jesus, Naming, worship Comments OffThe Season for Stories
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 29th, 2011
With all the preparation that Advent has encouraged, how do we hear the story of a couple far from their home, nestled in the scratchy, smelly floor of a stable preparing to give birth to God’s son? How can we hear an age-old story again as if it were for the first-time? What makes the retelling of the story important?
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Advent, children's ministry, Christian formation, Christmas, curriculum, Epiphany, storytelling, teacher training Comments OffThe Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 27th, 2011
On January 8th we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, the first Sunday after the Epiphany. This season often gets left behind in the humble abode in Bethlehem where we have followed our three mysterious kings, and in our minds brings an end to the Christmas season.
| Posted in Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: Advent, Baptism, Baptismal Covenant, Christian formation, Christmas, Epiphany, Jesus Comments OffBoxing Day
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 26th, 2011
Its origins are found in the practice of giving cash or durable goods to those of the “lower classes.” Gifts among equals were exchanged on or before Christmas Day, but beneficences to those who less fortunate were bestowed on the day after.
|The Plygain and “Elisha’s Carol”
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 25th, 2011
A Plygain is a Welsh Christmas Carol Service traditionally held very early in the morning between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Christmas Day, although it may be held up to the end of January.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Celtic, Christmas, Plygain, Welsh spirituality Comments OffThe Incarnation Cycle
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 24th, 2011
The Incarnation cycle focuses on the mystery of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. The Redemption cycle calls to mind the saving work of that same incarnate Word in the death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Advent, Baptism, Christmas, Epiphany, incarnation, prayer, resources Comments OffEpiphany Through the Eyes of Children
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 23rd, 2011
At Christmas the church celebrates the birth of Jesus, when God entered fully into the human experience. The Feast of the Epiphany takes the Christmas proclamation a step further, when the divine revelation in Jesus was revealed to the world as the magi came from the east.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Baptism, Candlemas, children's ministry, Christmas, Epiphany, family ministry, Magi Comments OffSing the Vision, Loudly
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 21st, 2011
Sounds, voices, and music have a powerful emotional impact on us. The spiritual center of the brain is where sound and emotions are processed.
|The Origin of the Candy Cane
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 20th, 2011
I know a bishop who gives out purple candy canes each Christmas eve to the children at the cathedral where he serves. There are lots of stories of how candy canes were invented to symbolically represent a variety of Christian themes.
| Posted in Community, Featured |
Tags: candy canes, children's ministry, Christmas, traditions Comments Off“Feeling Blue” during Christmas
Posted by Sharon Pearson on December 19th, 2011
For many people, the Christmas holiday season does not bring with it the joy and happiness that is constantly advertised on television, in shopping malls, in catalogs or in greetings cards. The constant refrain of the happiness of the Christmas Season, about getting together with family and friends reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Advent, Blue Christmas, Christmas, hospitality, mission, worship Comments Off
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