Don't Be a Stranger - a reflection for Christmas Day from Stay Awhile, an Advent Study

Don’t Be a Stranger – A reflection for Christmas Day from the Advent Study “Stay Awhile” with author Kara Eidson!<br />
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Other videos in this study are:<br />
Introduction – tiny.cc/StayAwhileIntro<br />
Session One – tiny.cc/StayAwhileSession1<br />
Session Two – tiny.cc/StayAwhileSession2<br />
Session Three – tiny.cc/StayAwhileSession3<br />
Session Four – tiny.cc/StayAwhileSession4<br />
A Reflection for Christmas Eve – tiny.cc/StayAwhileChristmasEve<br />
A Reflection for Christmas Day – tiny.cc/StayAwhileChristmasDay<br />
The entire playlist can be found at tiny.cc/StayAwhileVideos.<br />
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“In the Midwest, there is a common invitation when you come to visit and someone wants you to stick around: ‘Why don’t you pull up a chair and stay awhile?’ In a fast-food, packed-schedule, stay-busy culture, the notion of staying awhile has grown a little bit foreign. But sometimes, slowing down and staying awhile is exactly what we need. It is the only way to form deep relationships with others; it is the only way to form a deep relationship with God. <br />
Nothing worthwhile comes quickly or easily. Good things take work to develop, time to mature, and energy to grow.” – Kara Eidson, “Stay Awhile”<br />
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"Kara Eidson brings a scholar’s insight, a pastor’s heart, and a storyteller’s gift to the task of writing. Through the lens of hospitality, Kara invites us to hear anew the powerful themes and scriptures of Advent, and to spend time daily reflecting upon them." – Adam Hamilton, pastor and author<br />
Experience Advent anew through the lens of hospitality this season!<br />
While the world tries to rush us into Christmas, decorating the day after Halloween and packing it all up once the gifts are opened on December 25, Advent is a season of preparation that—like our holiday gatherings themselves—takes time and care. <br />
Think of the anticipation that comes with hosting loved ones for Christmas dinner: We begin by extending an invitation. We make plans, and as the event draws closer, we begin our preparations. Ultimately, we open the door and welcome our guests, and that is when, finally, we celebrate. Advent should feel the same way, a time to make ready for the long-awaited event of Christ’s birth. <br />
In “Stay Awhile”, pastor Kara Eidson presents a banquet table of inspiration for Advent, including weekly reflections for personal and small group use, brief daily devotions, and ideas to involve the whole congregation. Congregational resources include liturgies, sermon starters, children’s moments, and even a no-rehearsals-needed Christmas pageant. <br />
Grab a copy of “Stay Awhile” from your favorite physical or online bookseller including:<br />
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Bookshop.org – tinyurl.com/3bswuxdn<br />
Barnes and Noble – tinyurl.com/3d7zykds<br />
Amazon.com – tinyurl.com/5n8ab2mc