Advent 2024 Faith Study

Week 2 - Jerusalem: A Place of waiting

Sorry to keep you waiting…   it’s been one of those days.

Please reach out if you wish to have a copy of the guided journal that can be used as a complimentary resource to the study.  A printed copy can be provided, we just ask for a small donation of $5.00 to assist with printing costs.

Also, the scripture readings hare below and here is a historical review of the Temple in Jerusalem that summarizes Rob Fuquay’s points shared in the chapter.

Romans 12: 9-18

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Luke 1: 5-17

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God during his section’s turn of duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified, and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

We’ll be coming together to discuss how Jerusalem, “the city of peace,” is rich in history. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and was a focal point of the Jewish culture and lifestyle playing a key role in the story of Jesus’ life.

The Temple in Jerusalem was a place of “once in a lifetime experiences”, especially for Zechariah and Elizabeth who on the exterior were experiencing joy and excitement, but within were filled of hope and longing as barren beings. 

We all have both blessings and sorrows; life is entwined with these entities.  They shape our story. But as John Ortberg says, “what happens in us while we wait is as important as what we are waiting for.”

While you are waiting for our time together… consider…

• Where are your holy spaces?

• If you consider the architecture or design of Bethany United Church, what does it communicate (consciously or unconsciously) about God or our community of faith?

• There are many important items in the church, what are the most important items, and why? Perhaps they provide something, offer an opportunity to be in fellowship, demonstrate God’s perpetual presence or hold peace in a prayerful manner. 

Join us at 7pm, in person or via Zoom as we are challenged to keep our hearts open and overcome discomfort together.

Week 1 - Introduction & Rome: A Place of Longing

I am delighted that you have all signed up for the four-week Advent Study "On the Way to Bethlehem" which begins Wednesday, November 27th at 7 pm in the Chapel, or by Zoom.

Here is an introduction to the series from the Worship Design folks:

"Places shape us and shape our stories, even if we simply journey to and through them for a little while. We are changed as their narratives become part of ours. By focusing on the places that shaped the path of Jesus’ birth narrative, we learn more about why his life, ministry, and death became one of the most significant narratives of human history. 

Rome’s occupation shaped the context of the lives of those whom Jesus championed and to whom he gave hope. Jerusalem’s religious practices shaped an alternative vision of the new Jerusalem–a kin-dom of peace–that Jesus would teach. Nazareth’s simple and interdependent nature shaped his relationships and the joy of community. And Bethlehem’s history connects the spirit of generosity in ways that underscore the gospel of love we have inherited. 

And so, we are going to go on an Advent journey to these places “on the way to Bethlehem.” Each week takes us to a place and a significant event that leads us ultimately to a stable and a manger."   

If you have purchased the book, you might want to read The Introduction and Chapter 1 "Rome - A Place of Longing" in preparation. If you don't have a book, we will summarize the key points during our discussion. 

Here are the scripture readings we will be looking at:

Romans 8: 18-25

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Luke 2: 1-3

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

More resources and supplementary materials…

For those that longing to explore the historical context of our Advent Faith Study - the resource materials at Worship Design Studio offer a few online suggestions. The materials suggest that:

"Browsing documentations of the physical journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem could provide some grounding realism to frame small group discussions and contextualize the Advent story within its present day geopolitical region. Here are some resources for exploring the visceral aspect of moving through the locations named in the Advent story": 

 "A Photographic Journey in Mary and Joseph’s Footsteps" from a blog site called The Lay Artiste provides images and detailed descriptions of the terrain from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

A Photographic Journey in Mary and Joseph’s Footsteps – The Lay Artiste

 “Walking Roads: Nazareth to Bethlehem” by Silvia Holgado 

Walking Roads: Nazareth to Bethlehem offers some insight into the theological and spiritual symbolism of this pilgrimage route. This three part travelogue series by BBC correspondent Aleem Maqbool offers a first-hand account of his walking journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in 2008. 

This interactive map program    ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World   is a fun and interesting look at how long it took people to move around the Roman Empire on their system of roads.  

Go as deep into this study as your wish to journey.  All of us travel at different speeds, and with different needs.  

• Each week we will update this website page with resources and supplementary information for your exploration. 

• A reminder email will be circulated each Monday to let you know of updates that are added.