The Angel Gabriel called Mary to special work for God. In our worship today let us listen for God, so that we too may hear his call.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, we sometimes fail because we are afraid.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, we sometimes fail because we cannot hear you.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, we sometimes fail because we disobey.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. [28] The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." [29] Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. [30] But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. [31] You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." [34] "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" [35] The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. [37] For nothing is impossible with God." [38] "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Story:
Like Mary, we may be unexpectedly called to a task which seems overwhelmingly difficult. But if, like Mary, we cling onto God and trust him, things will turn out all right in the end.
This is another story about Praxis, that naughty pixie who changes colour according to his moods.
Praxis and the Wandering Minstrel
"Praxis!" called the Wandering Minstrel. "Come with me. I have a special task for you."
Praxis gazed at him longingly. The Minstrel had wandered into the pixie village in the middle of the forest a few days ago, and Praxis was captivated by his singing and his music. He had a wonderful pipe made out of reeds of different lengths and fixed together with a few strands of creeper, and he could make hauntingly beautiful music with it. And he didn't just tell stories, he sang them; stories of adventures and battles, of far away places and enchanting creatures.
The Elders of the pixie village had gathered at the toadstool and talked together solemnly about the Wandering Minstrel. Then they had issued strict instructions at the pixie school that no pixie should go near the Wandering Minstrel. They told the pixie children never to talk to strangers, and they told them a horrible story about a Piper who had once lured away the children of a human village with his music. Those children were never seen again, and nobody knew what had happened to them. Praxis had shivered as much as anyone else when he heard the elders, but it didn't stop him sneaking off to hide behind a toadstool in order to listen to the Minstrel. Praxis was a bit frightened and bit ashamed of himself because he knew he was breaking the rules, and his skin turned an embarrassed deep red, but he felt so drawn to the Minstrel that he didn't care.
Anyway, Praxis couldn't see what all the fuss was about. He liked the Minstrel, and he especially loved listening to him - and Praxis thought all rules were made to be broken! But he did feel a tremor of fear when the Minstrel called to him, so that his skin began to turn a pale shade of blue. Suppose the Elders were right, and the Minstrel lured him away never to be seen again? Praxis glanced around, but there was nobody else in sight. All the other pixie children had done exactly as they were told.
Praxis began to shake, but the Wandering Minstrel had a kind smile and didn't look scary. And the Wandering Minstrel didn't make any attempt to persuade Praxis, but left him to make up his own mind.
Praxis made a decision, and his skin turned brighter. He stepped boldly forward. "Yes?" he asked.
The Wandering Minstrel smiled again, and his face went crinkly. Praxis liked it. "Praxis," said the Minstrel. "I want you to bring the whole village here tomorrow afternoon. We'll have a concert. I will play my pipes and sing to them, and they'll enjoy it. It will be a special treat for the village."
Praxis' eyes grew round and he gulped. He himself thought it would be wonderful to listen to a whole afternoon of the Minstrel's music and stories, but he couldn't think how on earth he could possibly persuade the whole village - including the Elders - to attend. Besides, he knew he'd get into awful trouble just for speaking to the Minstrel. He turned blue again with fear.
"Don't be afraid," said the Minstrel. "You can do it!"
Praxis didn't know how he could do it, but somehow the Wandering Minstrel gave him confidence. He gulped again, then nodded. "Alright, I'll try."
Praxis ran back to school, and said a prayer to God on the way, asking for help and strength. At school, he started by gathering all the youngest pixies together and telling them about the Minstrel. "He's not scary at all," Praxis finished. "Come along tomorrow, and see for yourselves."
The youngest pixies were very excited. They thought that if Praxis was alright after actually speaking to the Wandering Minstrel, they'd probably be alright too. But after the story of the Pied Piper, they didn't want to go without their parents. So each of them went home to persuade their parents to go too.
Next afternoon, everybody gradually began to converge on the clearing where the Wandering Minstrel had already begun to play his pipes. They were a noisy crowd, talking to and laughing with each other, but as they listened the whole pixie village grew quiet, absorbed in the beauty of the music. Even the Elders who had joined the throng were entranced, although they pretended not to be.
The Elders were very cross with Praxis. They said they were angry was because he had disobeyed their instructions, but really it was because he had proved them to be wrong. Praxis was very down at mouth and a deep shade of blue when they'd finished with him, but as soon as he went outside all the other pixies cheered and shouted, and Praxis quickly became bright pink again.
That afternoon, the pixie village took the Wandering Minstrel into their hearts. He stayed with them for weeks, and when he left they all asked him to come back again as quickly as he could. He smiled and winked at Praxis and said, "I'll certainly come - if Praxis is here to help me!"
And Praxis was bright, glowing pink for two whole days.
Activity:
(N.B. Remind all children about the Crib Service and remind them to come to the service dressed as angels or shepherds. You could also select two children to dress up as Mary and Joseph.)
Finish the Jesse Tree. This week all the symbols should represent Jesus. You could have a baby, a crib, a cross or crucifix, a fish, a Greek chi-rho, or anything else which represents Jesus to your group. Hang your symbols on the top branches of your Jesse Tree.
A prayer for the hanging of the symbols:
Lord Jesus, we welcome you into our world and into our hearts this Christmas. Bless our Jesse Tree so that all who see it are reminded afresh of God's divine plan for the world, culminating in your birth as our Saviour at Christmas.
Light again the first, second and third candles on the Advent Wreath, and light the fourth candle. The fourth candle represents the Virgin Mary.
A prayer for lighting the Advent candle:
We light this candle to thank God for Mary, who was willing to become the mother of Jesus. Thank you God, for choosing Mary to be the mother of your dear son. Like her, may we learn to trust you so much that we do whatever you ask. Amen.
Intercession:
As Mary listened to the Angel and responded to God's wishes, so we listen and respond through our prayers:
Most High God, send angels to your Church so that all may hear your wishes. Give us Mary's faith and Mary's obedience, and help us to follow you even when you ask hard things of us.
Most High God, may our world care especially for all teenage mothers and all who are expecting babies, just as you cared for Mary. Strengthen all family groups and help parents to raise their children to be concerned for all people.
Most High God, may our community worship you in spirit and in truth this Christmas. May we see again the wonder of the birth in the stable at Bethlehem, and remember all those who have no home at this time of year.
Most High God, we pray for all who are sick this Christmas. May the delight of the birth of Jesus fill their hearts and lift their spirits, Be close to all who are mourning because someone they love has died. We pray especially for ..
Blessing:
May the love and grace,
the obedience and humility
of Mary the Mother of Jesus
fill your hearts and minds and souls
this Christmas.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and all those for whom you pray,
this Advent season and always.
Amen.
