Contributed by Stephanie Opsal, West Des Moines, IA

Warm-up Question

Can anything truly replace a human?

Becoming Human

Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, proudly announced drone air deliveries as the next big innovation, during his interview on “60 Minutes” in early December.  Amazon.com processes thousands of orders every day and many subscribe to Amazon Prime, which offers 2-day shipping to its customers.  To accommodate all the orders more efficiently, Amazon is testing “octocopters” that could take packages weighing less than five pounds and fly them to customers’ homes in thirty minutes.  Amazon Prime Air is a service the company hopes to begin as early as 2015.

As Amazon plans to deliver packages in the air via these robots, the general public raises many questions and concerns.  How far can they travel?  Can they withstand inclement weather?  What if people try to interfere or shoot them down?

At this point, the drones can only deliver to homes within a 10-mile radius of an Amazon distribution center and the battery life of the copters needs to be improved..  Amazon will need to obtain the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration to begin and they must advance the drones’ technology further to make it dependable during heavy precipitation.

Regardless, robot technology is on the rise, from Amazon’s Air delivery service to Google’s ideas of driverless cars.  Can robots effectively replace  people in these jobs or will society miss the service only a human being can give?  Our country will soon find out.

Discussion Questions

•  Do you like the idea of driverless air delivery of packages?  Why or why not?
• What problems could arise from services such as Amazon Prime Air?
• What benefits could these technologies offer?
• If you could have a robot to do one thing for you, what would it be?
• What is one technological thing in your life or society that you wish did not exist?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, January 5, 2014 (Second Sunday of Christmas)

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

John uses descriptive language to explain how Jesus Christ (the Word, the light, the one and only) is miraculously both divine and human.  John the Baptist came before him to testify that the Son of God, the long-awaited savior proclaimed in the Scriptures, was coming into the world.

God defied everyone’s expectations.  Many expected the Lord to come save them as a mighty conquering king who would defeat Rome, but Jesus was born into the world as a tiny baby.  He chose to associate with the sinners and helpless before the rich and proud.

Even before this, the Gospel describes, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (1:14a).  “The Word” is Jesus, God’s Son, but the different perspectives of John’s audience make this concept even more significant.  Both Jews and Greeks listened to the message written here.  Jews understood “the Word” to be an expression for God, as when God spoke creation into being, spoke His messages of truth through the prophets, and gave His words of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Greeks, on the other hand, thought of “the Word” as an element of reason, a guiding principle for the world.  Amazingly, they were both right!  Greeks could not believe “the Word was God” while Jews were shocked at “the Word became flesh”.  Jesus defied earthly understanding by coming as one being simultaneously 100% God and 100% man.  He was around for all time, beginning with God the Father in creation, and yet  he became a man on earth, to be with His people and ultimately sacrifice himself in their place.  Forgiveness of sin and redemption to eternal life became reality through Jesus’ resurrection.

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him” (1:10).  Maybe because Jesus came as a humble, servant leader, the people did not see Him coming. But John proclaims a promise for the people living 2000 years ago, as well as for us today: “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (1:12-13).

God came into the world so that all people may have new spiritual birth.  What a gift!  We can live as “co-heirs of Christ” (Romans 8:17) in glorious freedom all because Jesus came to earth as a human that first Christmas!

Discussion Questions

• What are some examples from the Bible of Jesus’ “divinity” or “godliness”?  What are some examples of His humanity?
• Share a story of a time you acted differently than others expected.  What was their reaction?  How did you feel?
• Can you think of any other examples of Jesus acting in ways different than the people expected?  (e.g. Luke 23:35, Philippians 2:5-11)
• Today we read about robots trying to take the place of humans and God taking the form of a human.  Who did it better?  What could God do that was better than anything humans could ever do?  Do you think robots can do any things better than humans?

Activity Suggestions

• Read through the John 1:1-18 again, replacing every occurrence of “the Word” or “the light” with the name “Jesus”.  Does the passage make more sense to you?  What parts stood out to you this time?
• Listen to the song “Jesus in Disguise” by Brandon Heath (on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AXD3Xq6Z6U) and pay attention to the lyrics.  What do you think the artist is saying?
• Imagine that you are John the Baptist.  Would it be hard to come before the Savior and have the purpose of taking no credit for yourself, but rather pointing everyone to Jesus?  Would you feel honored or forgotten?  Write down some firsthand feelings you would have, and share them with your group.  Feel free to reference other Bible passages on John the Baptist, such as Matthew 11:11; Acts 1, 10, 11, 13, 18 and 19; Isaiah 40:3; and Malachi 4:5.
• Unlike John the Baptist, we were born after Jesus’ time on earth.  What is our purpose here today?  Have a discussion with your group on things we can do to live out our faith in Jesus and make the most of our time living on earth.

Closing Prayer

Savior,  thank you so much for coming into the world as a human for us.  You came to know us, relate to us, and save us from our sins, because we could not do that on our own.  Help us remember that You are always with us, and we praise you that you came to the earth that first Christmas.  We love you so much.  May everyone on earth remember your precious Christmas story and feel your abundant blessings in their lives.  In Jesus’ powerful name we pray.  Amen.

There is no Faith Lens this week.

Contributed by Seth Moland Kovash, Palatine, IL

Warm-up Question

What is the best thing about relationships with family and friends?

You Are Not Alone

A couple and four children were stranded for two days in below-zero weather in the mountains of Nevada recently. Eventually they were found, all safe, staying warm in their overturned Jeep and were brought home. You can read about their ordeal and rescue here: http://tinyurl.com/n6724mk The state’s search-and-rescue coordinator Paul Burke said “They stayed together and that was the key that allowed them to live through this experience.”

The family took care of one another, heating rocks in a campfire they were able to make and using the heated rocks to stay warm inside the vehicle. This ingenuity, and sharing one another’s warmth, allowed the couple and the children (ages 3-10) to survive even as temperatures got to 16 below zero.

Discussion Questions

•  What would you do if you were stranded and could not call for help?
• What ways can you prepare for this kind of situation to help you get through it?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, December 22. 1013 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)

Isaiah 7:10-16

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

The message of Christmas is that Jesus has come. In today’s Gospel reading we hear the announcement of Jesus’ impending birth by an angel to Joseph, according to Matthew 1:18-25. In this promise from the angel, God tells Joseph to name the boy Emmanuel which means “God is with us.” That is what Christmas is all about: God is with us. We are not alone. We are not stuck here without any help, without any support, without any love. God is with us.

It is significant that God came to the world in the form of a baby who had earthly parents to care for him, Mary and Joseph. Just as in the family that survived the ordeal in Nevada this year, Joseph was not Jesus’ biological son. But people care for one another. People provide community for one another. And great things happen.

Discussion Questions

•  When do you most need to feel the presence of God? When do you need to be reminded that Emmanuel means “God is with us?”
• Who do you know that needs to be reminded? How can you be the presence of God for them?

Activity Suggestion

Bring Christmas cookies to a local nursing home or hospital. Most of all, bring yourselves so that people are not alone.

Closing Prayer

Good and gracious God, we thank you for sending Jesus to be Emmanuel for us. We thank you for being part of our lives so that we are never alone. Amen.

Contributed by Brian Hiortdahl, Overland, KS

Warm-up Question

What are you hoping for this Christmas?  What are you expecting?  Are your hopes and expectations the same, or are they different?

A Step Forward or Backward?

photo by marco rubino /shutterstock

Last month, a coalition of powerful world nations struck an initial deal with Iran, setting limits on its nuclear program while easing economic sanctions against the country.  Reaction to this breakthrough step has been mixed, with some praising it as a step forward toward stability, transparency, and peace, and others condemning it as a step backward that allows Iran to become more volatile, establishes a worrisome negotiating precedent, and makes the world more dangerous:

Discussion Questions

• Do you think this historic deal is a step forward or backward?  Why?
• What do you think Jesus would have to say about this development?
• Is there a comparable situation in your local community?  Who or what threatens peace and safety in your school or your neighborhood or your church?  What should be done about it, and who needs to talk together to work on a just solution?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, December 15, 2013 (Third Sunday of Advent)

Isaiah 35:1-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

John the Baptist wasn’t sure whether he could trust Jesus or not.  John held high ethical standards of righteousness and high expectations of a purifying Messiah who would clean house, clearly and decisively separating good from evil.  John’s undiplomatic clarity helped land him in prison when he preached against the adulterous shenanigans of the royal family, so he was unable to experience Jesus’ ministry firsthand.  He did get rumors and reports, however, of Jesus’ teaching and healing, which were full of power but not punishment.  John focused on an ax lying at the root of the trees; Jesus preached about sowing seeds.  John warned about a winnowing fork and a consuming fire; Jesus blessed the humble and warmed the heart.  John’s preaching was direct and confronted political power brokers; Jesus told strange stories that invited people without power into mysterious hope.

John sent his students to Jesus, therefore, with a typically direct question: “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  Jesus sent back a typically indirect, what-do-you-think reply:  “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”  He then praised John to the crowds and pointed to a new reality, “the kingdom of heaven,” which would surpass anything John could imagine, even though he was the greatest prophet ever to prepare its way.

John is left to wonder:  Is Jesus a step forward, or a step backward?  Is his bottom up, lift the lowly approach the surprising way that God has chosen to right the world, or is it an exercise in naive futility?  Is he bringing peace or being too soft?

Discussion Questions

•  Read Matthew 3:1-17 and 4:12-23.  What do the preaching of John and Jesus have in common?  How do they differ?  What does each preacher teach us about God?
• Would you rather have Jesus or John at the negotiating table with Iran?  Why?
• How is Jesus portrayed in media and popular culture?  What are our present day expectations of him, and are they realistic?
• If someone asked you about Jesus, what would you tell them?
• Traditionally, the season of Advent stresses the second coming of Jesus.  What do you think Jesus will look like when it happens?

Activity Suggestions

• As a group, make a list of typical holiday expectations.  Do these lead to hope and joy or to disappointment?
• Write a letter to your senator expressing your opinion about the deal with Iran, grounding your position in your Christian faith.

Closing Prayer

Come, thou long expected Jesus.  Prepare us for the kingdom of heaven, set us free from misguided expectations, and open our eyes to see the surprising gifts of grace you bring to us and to all the world.  Amen.

Contributed by Jocelyn Breeland, Fairfax, VA

Warm-up Question

Should a woman with Down Syndrome be allowed to decide where she will live?

Critical Choices

Jenny Hatch had a job she loved and had found a new place to live. Her parents had other ideas, but like most other 29-year-olds, Jenny thought her wishes should take precedence. However, because Jenny has Down Syndrome, it wasn’t that simple.

Jenny’s mother and stepfather, Julia and Richard Ross, petitioned a court to be declared guardians of their adult daughter. They wanted to decide where she lived, what medical treatment she received, and who she could see. They felt Jenny would be safest living in a group home.

Jenny had lived in several group homes and didn’t like them. She said they treated her like a child and took away her cell phone and computer. Jenny wanted to live with Kelly Morris and Jim Talbert, friends who also employed Jenny at their thrift shop.

Many people with disabilities find group homes to be a useful option. The best group homes provide needed services for people with disabilities, while supporting their right to make decisions concerning where they live and work, their relationships, and the community activities in which they will participate.  Jenny, however, did not believe a group home was the best choice for her.

In the end, a judge in Newport News VA ruled that, while Jenny could not live alone, her preferences should be considered. The judge named Morris and Talbert Jenny’s temporary guardians.

Disability rights activists are hailing this as a landmark decision. They hope that other courts will recognize that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities like Jenny can make decisions for themselves.

Discussion Questions

• Are Jenny’s parents right to be concerned for her welfare?
• Jenny Hatch is said to have an IQ of 50. Based on this, do you believe there should be limits on her ability to make choices about where she lives,who her friends are, and how she spends her free time, including her access to a computer or cell phone.
• People with disabilities face many barriers to inclusion in community activities and often require accommodation or support. How open is your congregation to people with disabilities? What accommodations are in place, or would be needed, for people with disabilities to engage in the life of your congregation?

Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, December 8, 2013 (Second Sunday of Advent)

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

There must have been great relief for the people in Jerusalem, Judea and around the Jordan who heard John’s words. The time of the Messiah had come, and he would surely wipe out their oppressors and restore Israel.

Matthew tells us that many came to be baptized and confess their sins. But there is also evidence here that the coming of the Christ would not be exactly what the people were expecting.  The Pharisees and Sadducees, although known for their adherence to the Law of Moses, tradition, and ritual, were in for a big shock. By all appearances, these were the most righteous of all. Yet John questions their sincerity and warns them that the one to come will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Some Jews of the time believed that Abraham was so virtuous that he secured a place in the life to come for himself and his descendants. John tells the leaders not to come to him merely going through the motions of confession and baptism and relying on their ancestor Abraham for their salvation. Instead, they must truly repent.  John warns them that absent true repentance the one who is coming will cut them down like trees which do not produce good fruit.

For modern Christians, this scripture offers insight into the purpose of Advent and how we should spend the weeks leading up to Christmas. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, and we must prepare our hearts with repentance to receive the gift of Christ. This cannot be empty ritual.  We risk the fate of the chaff, separated from the wheat and destroyed in the fire.

Unlike John’s audience, we know the good news of the New Testament in which Jesus shows us how to open ourselves to God’s love and live joyfully according to God’s plan. This greatest gift, the presence of God in our world and lives, is what we spend the season of Advent preparing our hearts to receive.

Discussion Questions

•  John invited the people to confess and be baptized. Is there something similar in the way we observe Advent today?
• The Pharisees and Sadducees allowed tradition and ritual to distract them from sincere practice of their faith in all spheres of their lives. Are there similar distractions in your life?
• How do we “prepare the way of the Lord?”
• Are our Advent preparations only within our own hearts and minds, or is there something about the way we act in the world that is also a way of preparing?

Activity Suggestions

Write your own Advent hymn:

Without looking at a hymnal, make a list of all the Christmas hymns you can think of. Then make a list of all the Advent hymns you can think of. Odds are, your list of Advent hymns is much shorter, even though there are numerous examples in our hymnals. For some reason, many Advent hymns have failed to capture the imagination and stick in the mind the way Christmas songs do.   Here’s your change to change that.

First, consider the message of your hymn. Will it focus on what the arrival of Jesus will bring to the world? Will it focus on how we prepare ourselves for Christmas? Perhaps both, or something else entirely?   Write down some ideas for your hymn and begin to write the poem that will be the lyrics.

Set your words to music. The easiest way is probably to use an existing familiar tune.  The numbers at the bottom right of ELW hymns can help you find possible tunes which match then number of syllables in each line of your poem.

When you’re finished, sing your hymn. Consider including your new song in your worship this Advent season.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Father, as we anxiously await the celebration of Christmas, help us to remember to spend time preparing ourselves and our world to receive our blessed Messiah. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.