Increasingly over the past four decades, United Methodist congregations with choirs have included a service of Lessons and Carols among their Advent or Christmas musical celebrations. While the music may be what draws people to the services, what actually drives the vigil form of worship historically is an extended period of listening to the Scriptures.
Two chance encounters led Bishop David Alan Bard to reflect on the need for kindness during the Christmas season. “ ... might our Advent be a journey into kinder hearts and a recommitment to living with greater kindness, gentleness, tenderness and love?” Bard writes.
It’s estimated that Americans increase our waste stream 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas and Christmas is the most wasteful of all our holidays. In her “Go Green, Save Money, Save the Earth” blog, Kim Hornung-Marcy offers tips on ways to be more faithful to creation care and still celebrate the wonder and joy of the season.
