Biblical Theme for the Day: GO and See, Luke 2: 8-20
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
Well, here we are, riding the most luxurious bus I’ve ever seen. In addition to WiFi & DVD capability, we also have a microwave, lots of drinks in a built in cooler (no ice until after our dinner stop), but a Fabulous start to our trip.
Jordan Scarlett says, “It is a very long and somewhat comfortable bus ride and some cool scenery.”
The majority of our initial experience was bus, housing & registration. The youth were real troopers & fine travelers. We were rewarded with excellent housing, a fine dinner, and spectacular first worship service. Some personal reflections follow:
“It is a very long, but somewhat comfortable bus ride with some cool scenery.” Jordan Scarlett, First Presbyterian Church, Albany
“On the bus we all sat in our respective seats & entertained ourselves. We enjoyed group chats where we joked & poked fun at one another. I cried while we watched the movie, Les Miserables, while Jordan laughed.” Katie Lamar, First Presbyterian Church, Albany
“We all are on the same bus, we all share the same belief, we are all youth of the Albany Presbytery, but most of us are strangers. This bus will bring us to a place to become better people, better Christians, and we won’t be strangers for long.” Nannono Zirimu, Westminster, Albany
“The bus ride is both long and exciting, a moving house with family & friends; everyone sleeping or on their phones. The bus creates a sensation of rocking. Robert, my seat mate fell fast asleep. We awoke in the morning to a great breakfast…I mean Really Great.” James Josiah, Westminster, Albany
We are honored to have a team of bloggers from Triennium sharing their experience with us each day this week. Every day we will have a new team of youth, college students and adult advisors who will blog/vlog and share image content to share the story from the 2016 Youth Triennium. Today’s team is: Christy D’Ambrozio (Adult Advisor, Albany/First), James Josiah (Westminster/Work Crew), Katie Lamar (Youth, Albany/First), Jordan Scarlett (Youth, Albany/First), Nannono Zimiru (Youth, Westminster/Albany), Rhett Parsons (Youth, Trinity/Scotia) and Alex Wilson (Youth, Northern NY Presbytery).
The purpose of the Albany Presbytery Blog is to share information, tell stories, and promote the mission and ministry of the presbytery, synod and beyond. While the breadth of this medium is intentionally broad, it is not a platform for opinion pieces related to business coming before the presbytery unless designed as part of an initiative to provide a diversity of viewpoints at the direction of the presbytery council. Exceptions to this policy may be brought to the presbytery officers who will determine appropriateness of submissions.
