Advent 2025 - Week 3 (Dec 14-20)

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Advent, Week 3 (December 14-20)

Sometimes saying "yes" to God's call fills us with fear. We fear, just like Mary and Jeremiah, that we aren't enough. That we'll be alone. That no one will listen.

And yet, God calls us forward, inviting us to live fully into who we are created to be and promising to be with us as we move forward through our fear, every step of the way.

Too often we talk about bravery and courage in terms of hero narratives or big actions, but every day presents many moments to practice small, quiet acts of courage. May we say "yes" to God, even when our knees shake and our voices tremble.

This week's readings:

Luke 1:26-39

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Visual images for the week

Mary's Yes

by Lisle Gwynn Garrity

Inspired by Luke 1:26-39

To Build and To Plant

by Hannah Garrity

Inspired by Jeremiah 1:4-10

This week's poetry... The First Step

Watch any parent. It starts with the first step.

They kneel down. They smile with anticipation.

They reach for their baby, calling and cooing them forward.

And then before they know it, they’re running behind a bike. They’re yelling,

“Keep pedaling! You got it! I’m right here!” And they’re jumping up and down,

because that little red helmet passed the mailbox.

And then, just like that, they’re driving circles in the church parking lot.

They’re giving instructions about easing on and off the pedal.

They’re having conversations about curfew and heartbreak.

And then, before they know it, they’re standing in a hospital room.

Their heart is bursting. And they say, “Put her head right here.

Rock her gently. Do you remember the nursery rhymes?

You were born for this.”

The first step is always the hardest,