December 17, 2025 | St. Paul's Lutheran Church

ps from ps

Advent rolls on. A time of preparation.

There’s 103 things we are all “preparing” as we move through December toward Christmas.

But is “Ourselves” even on the list?

At St. Paul’s this Advent, Pastor Kristen designed “Advent In A Bag” to help people prepare themselves for the good and great news of Jesus’ love coming into the world once again. Each week in December, I’ll share one of her activities for you to experience and enjoy to make sure that preparing YOU becomes more of a priority in this wonderful season.

Here’s one for the second week of Advent:

We have joy because God is with us.Light three hope, peace, and joy candles. Begin by recognizing that God joins you here. Say, Welcome Creator, Jesus, Spirit. Amen.What was the most fun thing you did today and what was the hardest thing you did today?READ: Luke 1:39-48 If Mary had visited Elizabeth during our modern times, Elizabeth might have picked her up at the airport. Elizabeth would have been waiting with flowers or balloons, watching for her cousin, Mary, to appear.And when Elizabeth saw Mary walking towards her, pulling her roll- ing suitcase behind her, Elizabeth’s whole pregnant body would have shivered with joy. And baby John inside her would have bounced around, knowing that something exciting was happening.Mary would have picked up her speed, laughing and jogging to meet her beloved Elizabeth, and they would have hugged and kissed each other. They would have probably been noisy, shouting with happiness. Anyone else at the airport would have seen and heard their contagious joy.It feels good to watch other people reunite after a long time apart. The joy grows between them, and it inspires onlookers to feel joy too. We can relate when we see this because we know what it feels like to be with someone we care about and who cares about us. It is like electricity passing between us when we are with someone we love. Maybe you have felt that feeling after a week away at camp, or after months of not seeing your grandparents, or when you return to school after a long summer away.Some people would call that electric feeling of love between people “the Holy Spirit.” When Mary and Elizabeth met each other that day, the Holy Spirit was there, too. And when God is present with us through the Holy Spirit, we are filled with joy! These are some of the feelings people have when they are around someone they love and trust:Warmth – Comfort – Excitement – Safety – Wholeness – Support – EncouragementElizabeth and Mary show us that when we are with people we love, God is there, too!REFLECTION OR DISCUSSION QUESTIONS• Have you ever felt “butterflies in your stomach” when you were excited to see someone? What does your body feel like when you are with someone you love? What feelings would you add to the list above?• How does our love for each other bring us joy?
• How does our love for each other remind us God is with usDear God, thank you for your electric love and joy-filled laughter we feel when we are with people we love. When our bodies buzz with excitement, may we remember you are always with us. Amen.