Rest - December 24, 2018

https://www.wikiart.org/en/le-nain-brothers/nativity-with-the-torch

“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’”

-Luke 10:38-42

It is just about Christmas now. There may be a temptation, a habit, or an expectation to be busy or “distracted by many tasks”— cooking, cleaning, going to see family or friends, giving gifts, receiving gifts, perhaps hosting guests, deciding what movie to watch.

Given that, it might be worth pausing to remember that, in some fundamental way, Christmas is about rest. Rest, because the word of Christmas is "born to you this day is a Savior." There isn't anything we can do to bring this about; it is pure gift, all from God’s side. We can only receive it.

Receive the truth that God is perfectly joined with our creaturely existence. The fact that what we are, who we are — precisely in our unfinished, frail humanity — has been embraced and even assumed by the true object and fulfillment of our deepest longings. As Richard Rohr has said,"Incarnation is already redemption." In Christmas, we can see that we are always and already held by God as the infant Jesus is held in his mother’s arms.

The question is: will we become still enough to truly recognize this, to feel it, to let this mystery work its way ever deeper into our lives? For this to happen, we must rest. We must become still, like the holy family on the first Christmas. On this day, even if we must be a little like Martha, distracted by many tasks, let us remember that Jesus also calls us to be like her sister Mary, who sits at his feet and listens to what he is saying. After all, Jesus is the true guest and gift of Christmas and we welcome him first of all by resting and preparing room in our hearts to receive him who has already been given.

Post by John Kennedy

Pray - December 12, 2018

Photo by Mike Corey

I’ve lived away from family for many years, so rare is the Christmas that I get to spend time with them; some years they make the trip to Connecticut, other years we make the trip to the Midwest. Holiday plans take a lot of work – travel, food, gifts, decorations, making the guest room ready, tidying up for company. And then add the usual seasonal issues – endless Christmas music (even though it’s Advent), our stress meeting the stress of others, and perhaps end of year job duties. This is the Advent many of us know; a season to prepare, stress out, and worry that all will be ready; and we tend to put this all on ourselves, and sometimes above what is important.

As I think of Christmas’ past with family, I recall that all the stuff swirling around – the travel, food, gifts, decorations, guest rooms, and cleanliness of the house are not the things I cherish. It was moments connecting with family and friends, sometimes even strangers…or friends I hadn’t met yet. It was the conversations, the laughter, the joy, the love. It was hearts being open to one another. Sometimes healing happened, other times great thanksgiving, and each time lives were drawn closer together.

We’re in the season of preparing, not just for family and friends, but for Emmanuel, God with us. We busy ourselves with so much. But, in all the busyness, are we taking time to preprayer? Are we taking time each day to pause and make room in our heart for the real blessings of the season? For God, for Christ, for the Spirit, for those we will soon see, and the gifts of joy and love.

Before we know it, we will be in the Christmas season, then Epiphany and so on. The rushing, buying, traveling, cleaning, decorating are not the things that will be cherished between us and our loved ones; it will be those moments when we connect in love with those in our lives with whom God has blessed us. The moments of God with us as we are with one another.

God wants a connection with us too, beyond Advent wreaths, calendars, and hymns. God wants a connection that opens our heart for the love of Christ soon to be with us. God wants us to stop the rushing for just a moment and share our laughter, joy, thanksgivings, concerns, worries, stress; all that lights up our heart…and that clutters our heart.

As we recall the true blessings of this season we find with one another, may we also take time to prepare through prayer with God so we are ready for the greatest gift of all, the love of Christ.

Post by Mike Corey

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”

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From Psalm 28:

        The Lord is my strength and my shield;

                    my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;

        Therefore my heart dances for joy,

                    and in my song will I praise him.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” says one popular song you’ve probably heard lately.  But as I go about my daily life, I’m struck by how much it’s sounding like Christmas. Our world right now is saturated with music looking forward to Christmas. It’s everywhere you go, as the song says—in shopping malls, on the radio, in elevators and doctors’ offices, in television commercials and at the movie theatres. I even had Christmas-themed hold music on a phone call yesterday.

These songs—both the secular ones and the traditional Christian hymns—go a long way towards getting is un the holiday spirit.  They remind us of warm, cozy evenings spent with family and friends; they invite us to be jolly and cheerful; they offer solace for people who struggle with anxiety, loneliness, or fear, particularly in this time of year. Many cherish attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah, or of going to a local parish’s service of Lessons and Carols. And I’m sure I’m not alone in looking forward to hearty singing at a midnight service on Christmas Eve.

The world—and the church—often uses music to set a tone, to get us in a particular mindset or mood. But how can we use the music in our lives more intentionally, as a way of responding to God? In Psalm 28, praising God in song is a response to God’s steadfast love. The psalmist, thankful for God’s grace and protection, offers not faint praise but jubilant dance and song.

St. Augustine famously wrote that those who sing, pray twice. In this season of preparation and renewal, consider which familiar songs embody how you might respond to God’s working in your life. Perhaps, this Advent, the quiet expectancy of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” reflects your sense of anticipation. Or perhaps the majesty and awe of “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” speaks to your yearning for Christ’s glorious reign. In this season filled with so many familiar songs, which songs can you use in your own prayer life?

Post by Jett McAlister

In Chaos There is Renewal

I had four weeks to prepare and yet there I was, walking downtown at the last minute on Christmas Eve day to get one last gift for my wife. A charm for her charm bracelet.

It had rained the night before. The rain mixed with the snow on the ground and created puddles of slush that I jumped over successfully until I landed in the one I wasn’t able navigate around. I had four weeks to prepare and there I was, with wet feet and soggy socks, heading downtown to buy that one last gift for my wife.

I reached the town green and for some reason it was crowded. The crowd bustled and shuffled along. Big steps then littles ones. Shoulders ran into shoulders. People buzzed along, looking more at the tasks they needed to complete than what was in front of them. In order to avoid one person I sidestepped and ended up bumping into another. I had four weeks to prepare and yet there I was, walking downtown with wet shoes and a sore shoulder saying sorry to the man I bumped into. He grumbled some guttural mumble. It seemed the joy of the Advent season on that day would be a gift left unopened until Christmas morning.

I crossed the green and made my way to the jewelry shop to buy that last minute bauble for my wife and then before I reached the door of the store, I saw them. A man and his daughter glided through the crowds, unimpeded by those around them. They walked smoothly and with grace towards a restaurant for what could have been a late lunch or appetizers before dinner. They smiled and spoke to each other. Her right arm ringed around his left arm bent at the elbow. They were alone in the world together sharing a story, perhaps a memory of some Christmas past. As I got closer to the store that sold that one last gift that I was to buy my wife, they passed me by. And quickly then, they vanished into that restaurant.

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Two people alone together unbothered by the hubbub around them. Two people in a storm of last minute madness, were perfectly calm as they shared their story and their love. And as they passed me by and as I continued on my way with my damp shoes and sore shoulder, I reflected on that instant of calm and entered into the shop to buy my wife that last minute gift, unhurried.

As this season progresses, we must remember to seek out the calm that resides within the chaos and the crowds. The calm reminds us we are loved. The calm reminds us to look away from the clutter and look instead toward God. In the calm we can make space for the holy. Amidst the rush of the season, we can pause to remember our Lord. Amidst the mayhem, we can find renewal.

Post by Matt Handi

Moments of Peace

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Scripture:  Proverbs 16:7  "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him."

 By Ann Perrott

 I have always loved reading history, especially on different wars the US has been involved in.  In most cases I am amazed, perplexed and even angered over why we went to war in the first place.  World War I is an example of a war that made no sense at all.   Everything I have read on it makes me realize how hungry some people are for war.  Freedom from conflict can be a very insecure time for some men.  I read once that Churchill was provoked during peace time when he was very young.  He would be hopeful for an upheaval somewhere in the world.

  On Christmas Eve, 1914 though, men on the British and German sides of the trenches were craving peace.  It has been reported (unofficially), that on the evening of December 24, 1914, British soldiers heard German troops along the Western Front singing Christmas carols and saw some decorated fir trees in the light of their trenches. Then, one man on each side began shouting messages back and forth.  Soon, when they trusted that the other side would not shoot, they gathered together, sang carols, drank together and played soccer.  Of course this would not last.  By Christmas day each side was back in their trenches and fighting resumed.

  Those moments of peace were sacred moments.  Any time human beings can stop violence and hate—no matter how short lived, it is sacred.  This is the humanity that God created, one where mankind can realize that we are all the same, we grow up the same, we have families the same and we want to be loved the same. These young men did not ask for the war they were made to fight in, and I cannot imagine what it was like to pick up a rifle again after that peaceful evening and get back into the mind set of killing again.       Yet, one holy night in 1914, young men came together for the common good and there was peace in that place even for a little while.

Bethlehem Down

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Bethlehem Down
Words by Bruce Blunt (1899-1957)
Music by Peter Warlock (1894-1930)

“When He is King we will give him the King's gifts,
Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown,
Beautiful robes,” said the young girl to Joseph,
Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down.

Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight
Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold,
Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

When He is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets,
Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown,
He that lies now in the white arms of Mary,
Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down.

Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming,
Close huddled oxen to keep him from cold,
Mary for love, and for lullaby music
Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.

__________________

Reflection by Benjamin Straley 

I know this is an Advent blog, but after the Fourth Sunday of Advent, my mind has shifted over toward Christmas, and this carol text and its musical setting are among my very favorites. Its origins are a bit peculiar, however. 

It came about as a submission to the London Daily Telegraph’s annual carol contest.  The poet, Bruce Blunt, and his friend, the composer, Peter Warlock were notorious drunks, and found themselves strapped for cash approaching Christmas. So they entered the Telegraph’s contest, duly won, and used the prize money to finance an “immortal carouse” on Christmas Eve 1927.

Despite the impure motivation of its composition, the haunting poignancy of the text, and the music’s ability to convey at once the comfort of Mary’s arms as well as the agony of the Passion, drive me to listen to it over and over again during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

The first stanza, with Mary’s hopes for her newborn, who she knows is the Son of God, stand in stark contrast to the fulfillment of those hopes in the third stanza. I’m not so sure Mary was as naïve as the poet makes out, but even if she understood that Jesus would be King, maybe she didn’t yet know what that would mean, ultimately.  Her hopes were the hopes of a nation – but Jesus’ death defied all their expectations of what the Messiah looked like.

I wonder, when we talk about Hope – and Advent as a season of Hope – what kind of Hope do we hold in our spiritual imaginations? Is it the warm hope of an infant laid in a manger, or it is a cruciform hope – one that allows its fulfillment to be realized in ways which we might not readily embrace.  As I write this, I think, perhaps, “Where is my Christmas joy?” It’s there, I assure you.  But as I sit here at my desk, my eyes notice the liturgical calendar to the right of my computer, and I can’t help but be reminded that the Twelve Days of Christmas include the Feast Days of St. Stephen, the first martyr, The Holy Innocents, and St. Thomas Becket, murdered archbishop of Canterbury. The Church has always held joy and suffering in tension with one another, it would seem.  It is this nuanced understanding of hope, viewed through a Christian lens, that prevents our celebrations of Christmas from being the sanitized, consumer-driven ones we see all around us this time of year.

So as we near the end of our Advent journey, and our preparations lead us ever closer to our commemoration of the Incarnation, I wish you who read this a truly blessed Christmas, one filled with an abundance of peace, a peace which surpasses all our understanding.

We Talk A Lot About Hope

By Sharon Betts

  

We talk a lot about hope. 

We hope the weather will be good for our family vacation. We hope that our favorite team will win the Super Bowl—or at least make it to the big game! We hope that we get just what we want for Christmas.

But for many of us, hope lacks a sense of certainty. It is more like a wish—something that we want to happen but have no way of knowing that it ultimately will. So we keep our fingers crossed and “hope” that everything will go the way we want it to.

The reality is that often life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped it would. Hope is a fragile commodity. When life is disappointing, our optimism is replaced by feelings of discouragement and hopelessness. Before long we run the risk of becoming cynics who believe that there is nothing in which we can confidently hope.

This was the landscape of life when Jesus entered the world. The prevailing mood of Israel was anything but hope. The once proud nation was now a puppet state of the pagan Roman Empire. The common person lived under the defeating burden of the exaggerated requirements of the religious establishment. Centuries before, they had been promised a deliverer who would restore Israel to its former glory, but it had never happened.

Into this sense of cynical hopelessness, true Hope was born. But the tragedy of that first Christmas was that very few realized the hope that had been introduced. Hope for the forgiveness of sins. Hope for a bright future—forever. Hope for God’s presence and power in daily living. Hope that would enable us to forget the past and set our sights on stuff that doesn’t disappoint. A hope that, because of Jesus, is a certainty and not just another wish to be dashed on the rocks of reality.

I love the honesty of the psalmist who said, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” We’ve all been there. But let’s not stop there. Keep reading! “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5). Rejoice that Jesus came to give you something better than the disappointments of life on planet earth. And when by faith you embrace Him and all that He promised, you can have a hope that is no longer a fingers-crossed wish that you harbor in your heart, but rather a confident, courageous optimism that is rooted in the certainty of His Word.

Pin your hopes on Jesus this Christmas—you won’t be disappointed!