Hanging of the Greens

Advent is our season of holy preparation, a time to ready our hearts, bodies, minds, and souls for the coming of Jesus. Today we stepped into that preparation with our hands, voices, and hearts—hanging evergreens, adorning the Chrismon tree, and letting the sights and sounds of the season preach to us. Evergreens stood before us as a living parable of endurance, reminding us that God’s light does not fade in winter’s gray. The Chrismon symbols—white and gold, simple and strong—lifted our eyes to Emmanuel, the Savior and Shepherd, the Lamb and Lord, whose light still leads us.

I invited us to see decorating not as a chore to check off, but as a spiritual practice. The ornaments we place carry stories—of children who are now grown, of love and loss, of years that stretched our faith. Don’t rush past them. Sit with the tree, look slowly, remember, and let memory become prayer. Open Luke or Matthew and read the story again. Let the carols, candles, and colors do their good work—orienting us toward the Christ who comes into real darkness with real light.

We named the reality that darkness is not just outside; it can settle within. Many feel the press of shorter days and heavier spirits. Into that honest space, we proclaimed that Christ is the light who meets us, not once long ago, but again and again—fresh mercy, steady grace, hope that outlasts the longest night. At the Table we remembered that God doesn’t love us from afar; God came near in a manger and comes near still, feeding us with presence and sending us with purpose.

We also turned toward giving. True gifts do not flow from obligation but from joy, gratitude, and love that can’t help but spill over. Our offerings—whether financial support for ministry or the thoughtful gifts we prepare for others—are small acts of resistance against despair, small lights that say, “Hope is here.” To help us walk this season well, we’ll provide an Advent devotional (by email, online, and in print) so we can practice daily attention to the Lord’s coming. Together, we prepare. Together, we wait. Together, we welcome the Light.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Advent prepares us to receive Christ Advent is not spiritual busywork; it is soul work that opens space for a real meeting with Jesus. Preparation shapes desire, and desire steers attention—what we truly want, we make room for. Slow practices—scripture, song, silence—stretch the capacity of our hearts to recognize and welcome the Lord when he comes. Don’t sprint to December 24; walk the days so your heart can notice his arrival. [41:43]
• 2. Let decorations preach to your heart Treat decorating like liturgy at home. Let the ornaments tell their stories, and let those stories become prayers—of gratitude, lament, and hope. Memory is a teacher God often uses; it stitches past mercies to present needs. Sit with the tree, linger with a nativity, and let your space catechize your soul. [38:50]
• 3. Light endures through winter’s darkness Winter exposes how much we need light—in our bodies, minds, and spirits. The gospel doesn’t deny the dark; it declares a light that withstands it. Practice embodied hope: light a candle at dusk, take a walk in whatever daylight you have, and name your fears before God. Christ’s light is not sentimental glow; it’s durable mercy that keeps vigil with you. [12:57]
• 4. Give gifts that overflow from gratitude Obligation can write a checklist, but only love writes a benediction. Consider the person before the purchase, and let your gift carry your attention, prayer, and care. The best gifts are small sacraments—visible signs of invisible grace—offered without fanfare. Give in ways that push back against despair and bear witness to joy. [53:30]
• 5. Chrismon symbols proclaim Emmanuel’s presence The white and gold signs on the tree are more than decoration; they are visual theology for everyday disciples. Each symbol names Jesus—Emmanuel, Lamb, Shepherd—and in naming, it trains our hope. When words fail or spirits tire, let these symbols steady your gaze and remind you who holds you and where your story is headed. [27:25]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:15] - Advent: A season of preparation
• [03:30] - Interactive Hanging of the Greens
• [07:45] - Evergreens: Signs of enduring life
• [12:57] - Light that outlasts the dark
• [18:40] - Chrismon Tree: Symbols of Christ
• [27:25] - Congregation decorates the tree
• [38:50] - Why decorating your home matters
• [41:43] - Christ the Light in our darkness
• [44:14] - Advent devotions: how to access
• [49:30] - Communion: God with us at the table
• [53:30] - Offering: Gifts born of love
• [61:51] - December events overview
• [63:49] - Luncheon and service opportunities
• [65:24] - Birthday blessings and closing song

Bible Reading

- Luke 2:8–14 — And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” - Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). - John 1:5, 9–14 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Observation Questions

1. Read Luke 2:8–14. Which concrete details in the story (who, what, where, how) underline that the birth of Jesus is “good news of great joy for all the people”? What does that inclusion of shepherds say about who the message reaches?
2. Which names and images for Jesus are captured by the Chrismon symbols (Emmanuel, Shepherd, Lamb, Light)? How does naming Jesus this way shape what people remember when they look at the tree? [27:25]
3. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” What specific ways were suggested to notice and receive that light during the short, dark days of winter? [12:57]
4. The ornaments in a home can carry memories. What examples of memory-bearing ornaments were described, and how might those memories move into prayer as you look at them? [38:50]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does the title “Immanuel — God with us” mean theologically for people who feel distant, forgotten, or alone during Advent? What difference does “God with us” make to daily life and hope? [27:25]
2. In what theological sense is an evergreen a “living parable of endurance”? How does that image help explain God’s presence through seasons of loss, depression, or waiting? [12:57]
3. The claim is that “Christ’s light meets us again and again—fresh mercy, steady grace.” How does that shape expectations for daily spiritual practices during Advent (not as perfection but as repeated encounter)? [41:43]
4. The sermon tied generous giving to being a witness against despair. Theologically, why do gifts offered from gratitude (rather than obligation) serve as a form of witness and hope? [53:30]

Application Questions

1. Advent prepares the heart to receive Christ. Which single slow practice will you adopt this week (reading a short passage from Luke or Matthew, singing one carol slowly, or five minutes of silence each evening)? When exactly will you do it this week? [41:43]
2. Treat decorating like liturgy at home. Pick one ornament or nativity figure on your tree and plan a 10‑minute time this week to sit with it, recall the memory it holds, and turn those memories into a short prayer. When will you do that? [38:50]
3. Practice embodied hope: choose one simple physical habit for the dark evenings (light a candle at dusk, take a 10‑minute daylight walk, or leave a lamp on for an hour). Which habit will you choose and on which days? [12:57]
4. Give a gift that overflows from gratitude. Name one specific person and one concrete gift (time, a handwritten note, a meal, a donation made in their name, practical help) you will offer this season. When will you give it? [53:30]
5. Place a visual reminder of Jesus where you’ll see it daily (a Chrismon, a small cross, a Nativity piece). Which symbol will you choose and what short phrase will you say when you see it each day? [27:25]
6. If darkness has settled inside you, name one specific step you will take this week to let Christ meet you (call a friend, attend a small group, come to communion, ask an elder to pray with you). Who will you contact and on what day will you do it? [44:14]