My Advent series this year will follow the Words Matter Advent study from the National Council of Churches. Download the whole booklet if you’d like, and follow along with the writings for each day. I’d love to discuss them with you. Also, here is a link to the Advent readings from the Inclusive Bible. I prefer the more inclusive language here, than the NRSV texts used in the study booklet (be sure to read the note on page 6).
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
I find myself once again turning to the Inclusive Bible’s translation. Where the NRSV says “don’t quench” the Spirit, the Inclusive Bible says “don’t stifle” the Spirit, and again, the NRSV says “don’t despise” the prophets, while the Inclusive Bible says “don’t despise” the prophetic gift.
These speak particularly to me. One of my spiritual gifts is the gift of prophecy, and it is a VERY difficult gift to have. Sometimes it’s hard not to look at it like a curse rather than a gift. Unfortunately, prophets usually don’t have very comforting or uplifting things to say. They are usually critical of the powers that be, and often offend others, even other believers. That’s probably why Paul says not to despise the prophets, or the prophetic gift.
I have a hard time not resenting the gift when other people look at me like I have snakes crawling out of my ears. But I try to examine everything I say in the light of the scriptures, and in the light the Spirit shows me. I use the tests of mercy, justice and love, as shown by Jesus’s admonitions in the Beatitudes to inform my attitudes.
The Christmas promise is for justice, mercy, and love. Dear G-d, help me rejoice always in these things in all my life.
An Aging Liberal Hippy from the Left Coast 
