No Snow

It doesn't look like it will snow tonight. Too bad. Those Christmas Days I had in Vermont as a kid - now that was snow. But when I would visit my Dad in Miami FL for Christmas, well...not so much. Wherever we find ourselves tonight - snow or no snow, merry or not, - this is where God meets us. The birth of Jesus happened, in sense, so that it doesn't matter where you live or who you are, how much you have or how little. Jesus, our Emmanuel (which means God-with-us), was born for us all. Through Christ we know peace and joy - we see the signs of it all around when people choose to help instead of hurt - when the poor receive good things and the sick find comfort.

It's fine to hope for snow or to remember years past when Christmas seemed so perfect. But the story of Jesus' birth is a living reality that addresses the concrete situations in which we find ourselves. Jesus, the Light of the world, was born long ago to bring us close to God. Jesus, the Light of the world, seeks us still. Merry Christmas to all.

The Peace of Advent

Advent is coming to a close. This Sunday will be the 4th and last Sunday of Advent. The Gospel focuses on Mary; she is greeted by an angel who tells her that even though she is a virgin, she will be the mother of Jesus--for nothing is impossible with God. During Advent we have been preparing for the great gift of Jesus' birth. On Wednesdays during Advent, we have gathered to rest in the peace of God and prepare ourselves through prayers and communion. We have used the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's litany for Advent; I recommend it to you. It speaks of putting on the things of God--Advent is a time to put on the things of God. I think, however, that you can pray this litany at all times and benefit from it.

Advent
Litany by Rev. Gary Commins

O God, you inspired your servants the prophets with visions of a new earth, where wolf and lamb dwell together, where cries and weeping are uttered no more, and where elders are healthy and infants live in safety; inscribe your hopes in our hearts that casting away the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light, we may seek first your reign on earth, and prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, our Deliverer. Amen.

That nation will not war against nation, that they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks

Let us cast away the works of violence

And put on the armor of peace

That the fruits of the earth will be distributed so that each will have their own vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid

Let us cast away the works of greed

And put on the armor of justice

That our city/community will no more be called forsaken or desolate, but will be a place of light and glory

Let us cast away the works of neglect

And put on the armor of passion

That the Church will fulfill our mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation and emissaries of truth

Let us cast away the works of indifference

And put on the armor of the Spirit

That those who are ill will feel Jesus’ healing hand, those who hunger will taste the Bread of Life, and those scarred by violence will be given the balm of Christ’s wounds

Let us cast away the works of anguish

And put on the armor of love

That we may be blessed to be Christ’s hands, to share Christ’s feast, and to soothe Christ’s people; and that the blessings already in our lives and those yet to come will awaken us to your grace

Let us cast away the works of anxiety

And put on the armor of joy

That you will remember with mercy those who have died and embrace them with compassion

Silence

O God of hope, before we turn to you, you run to us, before we call out to you, you answer; by the might of your Spirit lift us from the numbing uncertainties of life to joyful expectation of Christ’s appearing that, when he comes again, he may meet us as people who anticipate his reign with eagerness and who welcome him with praise. Amen.

God and Dogs

Last night Jonathan Bryan came to SPOTH to lead us in a discussion of his book Nonetheless, God Retrieves Us. The book is about Bryan's huge yellow Lab, Jocko, and how Jocko helps Bryan to understand the nature of God. All dog lovers, get this book. All who are interested in great metaphors that help us all understand God better, get this book. Like God, Jocko is "hardwired" to retrieve. Jocko cannot resist retrieving a stray tennis ball, even if it means risking his own safety by running into traffic. God will risk everything to retrieve us! As Bryan states, that is a great way to understand Jesus...hardwired to come to us and to be with us and to retrieve us even if it means risking everything. About 25 people came to our book group, the Rector's Read, last night. It was great to welcome Jonathan and his wife Judy to SPOTH -- and others who had come to hear Jonathan speak.

Healing Retreat

Last Saturday 18 persons attended the Advent retreat we held. The retreat was intended to help people center themselves in God during these times of change and, often, stress. God works to bring about our healing and wholeness, and we can be partners with God in the process of healing.

Often people are surprised that we have healing services in the Episcopal Church. So many have been turned off to the idea of healing as an activity of the Divine because of the messages coming from the fundamentalists. Sometimes people have actually been told that if they had more faith they would be healed. Do you see how a theology like that is about guilt and actually gives all the control to the person rather than to God? God does not give out healing as a reward for faith! God wants everyone to experience healing. I believe strongly that healing occurs when I lay my hands on a person and pray for him or her, asking Jesus to fill the person with grace that he or she may know the healing power of Christ's love. The healing may not be physical, most often it is not, but healing of a person's spirit often occurs. God supports each of us--to be with people who affirm that truth and live accordingly is a great joy.

Advent

We are deep into Advent now! Advent is that time of year before Christmas to prepare ourselves in spiritual ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Not too long ago someone who does not go to church was telling me how she can't stand the consumer culture that surrounds Christmas. Advent is the answer! From Nov. 30 to Christmas, we in the Episcopal church choose to do things that the "world" might not understand - slow down, take time for quiet reflection, worship together, and appreciate the many things in life that speak to us about God.