1. Sentiment, Symbol & Substance
Advent 2017
Sentiment, Symbol & Substance
“Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus
a translation of the Greek word  parousia… Both words indicate a coming or arrival and a presence… (now)
aware, alive, attentive,
alert, awake
Great Mystery =
Christ is always coming!
“Gabriel’s Annunciation”
~Jan Richardson
Visitation & Visiting
(Luke 1)

2. “Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another”
Salt = a precious & prized commodity - Roman soldiers were partially paid with packets of salt ("sal" in Latin) - origin of our word "salary" and phrase "worth his salt”
“Covenant of Salt”!
Numbers 18:19 / Provision!
“Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another”
~ Jesus Mark 9:50
“You are the salt of the earth”
“preserve that quality (flavor) that makes you a blessing to one another”
means a permanent relationship - eating salt with someone meant to be bound in loyalty & friendship
“there is salt between us”

3. “Breaking Bread” –
the ritual of restoration and healing – atonement = unite/join together
“The role of the high priest, the Lord, was to remove the damaging effect of sin from the community and the creation, and thus to restore the bonds which held together the community and the creation.”
~Margaret Barker
‘O God of truth, let thy holy Logos come and dwell (Maranatha )upon this bread, that the bread may become the body of the Logos and upon this cup that the cup may become the cup of the truth......’