Advent: What Child IS This?
In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people were instructed to go back to the towns of their birth to register. – Luke 2:1-5
In 1865, William Cha erton Dix penned a poem that would become the beloved Christmas- me favorite, “What Child Is This?” During Advent, we will dive into this ques on that is much more complicated than the lil ng lullaby tune, “Greensleeves,” conveys. We will see the story of the me leading up to the birth of Christ in its historical fullness. The story of humanity and its recurring themes of oppression and corrup on run right through history and into our own narra ves. Yet, we can rely on the assurance of the carol to confirm that God is “present with us” in powerful ways that con nue to be the Word of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love even and especially in the midst of hard mes.
The nature of humanity seems to point to the need for a “savior,” especially when we feel things are out of control. People in the me of Jesus’ birth were no different. They hoped for a new reality of communal wellbeing in the midst of corrup on and violence. Peace only existed by defini on of the empire. The collabora on of religious and state authori es for the sake of the rich and the demise of the poor was a hard reality for most. For what do we hope in our me that will be “good news for all people?”
Advent
Serving
Room in the Inn— Emmanuel
Check the website under Missions/Room in the Inn to sign up. There are many ways to help! New dates will be added each month. If you need to sign up for a future date as a group let Jackie know: jspear@emmanuelmemphis.org or 901.292.3386.
Food Pantry
Next Distribu on Dates are December 14 & 18 Food Pantry Needs:
*Baking Mix *Any Crackers *Canned Chicken *Breakfast Bars *Cereal *Nonfat Dry Milk Sign up to help distribute food on the Ehub.
Community
Saying Good-bye
January will bring a time of transition to Emmanuel as Alden Fowkes, our Director of Youth Ministry, has accepted the same position at her home church in Savannah, GA. Alden has been in ministry with our youth for seven years and we celebrate and give thanks for her time among us.
s last Sunday at Emmanuel will be December 21. We are planning to celebrate her with a reception in the Fellowship Hall during the Discipleship Hour at 10:00 am that day.
Our hearts are heavy with this news but it gives her, Connor, and Porter the opportunity to be closer to family. We give thanks to God for Alden’s time with us and hope that you will make the effort to express your appreciation to her and join in the celebration on December 21st .
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Kids serving in Food Pantry & Room in the Inn
Listening Reading
Advent Together: The First Advent in Pales ne
Read with us or simply join in the online conversation each week as we connect ideas from this book to the songs and sermons of our Advent worship series.
In this short but powerful text, Kelley Nikondeha reminds us why we must wade through Advent as we await the incarnation. As Advent begins, many of us take out a cherished nativity creche and carefully unwrap the holy family.
In The First Advent in Palestine, Nikondeha reminds us how each nativity character’s story in the narratives of Luke and Matthew changes how we see the true story of resistance, abusive rulers and systems of oppression, and God’s coming to earth.
The book is available on Amazon if you would like a copy, but it is not required to participate in the study.
Next meeting is Jan. 8
The next book is Theo of Golden. A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen. Beautifully crafted, this novel is about the power of creativity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads that bind us to one another.
11/23/2025
Women of Emmanuel
Emmanuel’s chapter of United Women in Faith will resume in January as we con nue to put Love in Ac on helping be er the lives of women, youth & children. If you would like to be part of this group reach out to Deborah Baker dbaker@emmanuelmemphis.org.
Early Bird Discount!!
We are excited to announce that we have a special speaker coming this year! Leigh Young
This event is always a blessing to the women who a end!
Early Bird Register by 12/31/2025 pay only $49! Beginning 1/1/2026 Cost is $59
Details and T-shirt info to follow.