Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
My German Christmas Memories
Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Rainer Jaeschke.
Growing up in a small town south of Berlin in the Soviet Occupied Zone shortly after the end of the Second World War, Christmas still had all the traditions. In a time of limited food supplies my parents made an earnest effort to celebrate the holidays with food on the table and modest gifts. I remember celebrating with my siblings Saint Nicholas Day every December 6. We left our clean shoes outside the bedroom door the night before, hoping to get some candy, fruit, or cookies but not pieces of coal from Saint Nicholas. Of course, success was based on whether we had behaved ourselves.
We had an advent calendar and marked it off diligently every day in anticipation of Christmas Eve. I recall we decorated the Christmas tree in the afternoon, followed by dinner, and then had to wait until our parents had placed the gifts under the tree. The Tannenbaum was totally lit with real candles, handmade straw stars, and some other ornaments. We usually received one gift and some snacks, to include a rare orange. My mother managed to bake cookies such as Pfeffernuesse, cinnamon stars, and a Stollen (fruit bread). My sister and I were asked to memorize a short Christmas themed poem and recite it before opening the gift. We followed with singing a few Christmas carols and later went to midnight church service. This church was actually visited by Martin Luther and still has an active congregation today.
Christmas cards were not exchanged, but they became a tradition once we came to the United States in 1957. In fact, I look forward to receiving a unique hand-made card each year from my sister.
Christmas Markets in Germany have a rich history, with the oldest being in Nuremberg. Although I never visited a Christmas Market in Germany, it can be experienced here in the Twin Cities at the Union Depot. Also, a great many Christmas traditions in Germany can be witnessed at the German American Institute on Summit Avenue in St, Paul.
Blessings for a rich meaningful Christmas Season.
Previously…
God Takes Sides
It’s football season and, if they could measure such things, I would imagine the number of prayers said on Sunday mornings are exponentially higher from now until the Super Bowl, certainly compared to the rest of the year. As Christians, we can and should believe in the power of prayer. And we should also note that God does take sides. But, before you go praying for the next Viking’s victory, remember that there is no evidence God plays favorites when it comes to the NFL.
Be Careful What You Dream (. . . as if you can help it)
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Scott Tunseth. This week in the Narrative Lectionary we have been re-introduced to Joseph the dreamer. You know, the second youngest brother of twelve, who has two dreams that don’t set well with the family. When I read this...
God, Country, and Forgiveness
I’ve been giving some thought lately to what happens after this coming election on Nov. 5. I am so eager for the narrative of a divided country to change but I’m anxious that we have become too conditioned to consider any alternative. Especially concerning is the talk of retribution for perceived wrong doings and the growing calls for turning the guardrails of democracy into “weapons.”
God and the Unpredictable
This Sunday our story leaps forward from Sarah & Abraham, right past their son Isaac, landing just after Isaac’s son Jacob’s life, almost near the end of Jacob’s son Joseph’s amazing life. Phew! Joseph’s story is marked by unpredictable challenges—betrayal by his brothers, enslavement, imprisonment—and yet, through it all, God was at work.