Advent Sundays
Worship
WORSHIP RESOURCES FOR SPECIAL SUNDAYS
Four Advent Monologues
Preface
Advent has never been my favorite preaching season. The lectionary begins by bringing us stories of tumult in the heavens. Then we get John the Baptist crunching down locusts while he stomps around in the wilderness preaching repentance. Or maybe we get some elevated metaphor, "the Word made flesh"; beautiful, but mysterious. Meanwhile, out in the pews, faces are looking puzzled. What about the manger? Aren't we going to hear about Mary and Joseph? Where are the Wise Men? And, most crucial of all, why are we singing all these funny hymns in a minor key instead of Christmas carols?
Finally, I threw lectionary purity to the wind. If I couldn't overcome the Christmas culture, I might as well use it to advantage.
Three of these monologues are an attempt to look at some of the key themes of Advent - watching, preparation, and righteous action - through the eyes of one of the characters in the Christmas drama. All are just ordinary people, finding their way through life, and trying to understand what the extraordinary happenings of that night might mean for them. The shepherd ponders why only he and his friends noticed the lights and music in the sky. Cousin Jochaved wonders how the Messiah came to be born in her home. (I worked with the understanding that "inn" is best translated "guest room.") And Joseph takes new risks and finds his life changed and expanded.
The last monologue grew out of a fascination with angels while I was in seminary. What would it be like to frighten people whenever you show up? Wouldn't it get rather tiresome? This Christmas angel is intrepid, funny, and tired!
Have fun with these. Although "Tidings" demands to be memorized, the others can be done with a manuscript in hand, if you wish.
Pamela J. Abbey
Preface
Advent has never been my favorite preaching season. The lectionary begins by bringing us stories of tumult in the heavens. Then we get John the Baptist crunching down locusts while he stomps around in the wilderness preaching repentance. Or maybe we get some elevated metaphor, "the Word made flesh"; beautiful, but mysterious. Meanwhile, out in the pews, faces are looking puzzled. What about the manger? Aren't we going to hear about Mary and Joseph? Where are the Wise Men? And, most crucial of all, why are we singing all these funny hymns in a minor key instead of Christmas carols?
Finally, I threw lectionary purity to the wind. If I couldn't overcome the Christmas culture, I might as well use it to advantage.
Three of these monologues are an attempt to look at some of the key themes of Advent - watching, preparation, and righteous action - through the eyes of one of the characters in the Christmas drama. All are just ordinary people, finding their way through life, and trying to understand what the extraordinary happenings of that night might mean for them. The shepherd ponders why only he and his friends noticed the lights and music in the sky. Cousin Jochaved wonders how the Messiah came to be born in her home. (I worked with the understanding that "inn" is best translated "guest room.") And Joseph takes new risks and finds his life changed and expanded.
The last monologue grew out of a fascination with angels while I was in seminary. What would it be like to frighten people whenever you show up? Wouldn't it get rather tiresome? This Christmas angel is intrepid, funny, and tired!
Have fun with these. Although "Tidings" demands to be memorized, the others can be done with a manuscript in hand, if you wish.
Pamela J. Abbey
