Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Getting Ready for a New Year by renewing our Promises made at Baptism and a preview of The Good Book Club!

 




Good Evening Dear Ones!

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday! I'm hoping everyone is enjoying this week's time of retreat. We are beginning our additional study with The Good Book Club and studying the Gospel of Mark. Here is Presiding Bishop Curry's Invitation into studying The Gospel of Mark. Here is the Reading Schedule you may download. Here is a PDF Reading Schedule you can print up or save to your computer. Our first reading for Friday begins here:

Mark 1:1-11

The Gospel According to

Mark

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.


As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

   who will prepare your way;

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

   “Prepare the way of the Lord,

   make his paths straight” ’,

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

++++++



Let us use Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book title God is in the Manger  as part of  our  mindfulness exercise tonight before we worship.

God is in the Manger.
God is in.
God is.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

God is love.
Love is God.
God is.
Love is.

God is in the Manger.
God is in.
God is.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.

God is love.
Love is God.
God is.
Love is.

God is in the Manger.
God is in.
God is.

Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace. 

God is love.
Love is God.
God is.
Love is.


The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and
truth. John 1:14

You Lord are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name. Leave us not. Jeremiah 14:9

To us a child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. Isaiah 9:6 (adapted)

Behold I bring you good news of a great joy; for to you is born in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10,11

In this, O God, your love was made manifest among us, that you sent your only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 (adapted)

Because Jesus himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:18

My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:30–32

Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, and be thankful. Colossians 3:14–15

Joseph Barth: A Grace

We give thanks for Being;
We give thanks for being here;
We give thanks for being here together.

Let us light our candles, turn on our porch lights, and widen our heart homes and make vigil and hold sacred space for one another in unity and love.



The Light of Christ in me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" 

I hold holy space for you during this time of prayer, vigil, and meditation. 


Light of the World Phos hilaron

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.



"I will light candles this Christmas, Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch. Candles of courage where fear is ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days, Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens. Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long." ~ Howard Thurman

We continue to hold sacred space for all who mourn and remember in this healing circle of love: We continue to remember and as in the African Proverb:
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER." We name our precious ones aloud and ring a virtual bell in their memory and honor.


Tonight Let us  also Light our Candles and make vigil for our nation and all of us and our family members who feel invisible and are being made invisible by our government and the leadership of this country. 
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
We speak the names of all of our family members remembering these groups and honoring everyone in them as dearly loved Children Of God who are COGs in the Wheel of life and love. 
Our Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Brothers and Sisters
Our Brothers and Sisters of many faiths where there is misunderstanding.
Our Indigenous Brothers and Sisters
Our Brothers and Sisters who protect our environment and who are water protectors
Our Brothers and Sisters who resist and speak out agains oppression and for universal human rights.
Our Latino, Latina, and Latinx Brothers and Sisters
Our Littlest Brothers and Sisters the children 
Our LGBTQIA Brothers and Sisters
Our immigrant Brothers and Sister No matter what classification.
Our Disabled Brothers and Sisters
Our Elderly Brothers and Sisters
Our Poor and Oppressed Brothers and Sisters.
Our Homeless, Hungry, and Ill-Clad Brothers and Sisters
Our Brothers and Sisters of Many Faiths and Ethnicities
Our Sisters who are in need of equal rights to health care, pay, family leave,
Our Mentally Ill and Memory Challenged Brothers and Sisters
Our Brothers and Sisters who are Veterans and who suffer many things.
Our Abused, Neglected, and Bullied Brothers and Sisters.
Our Brothers and Sisters who have been victims of hate crimes.
Our Brothers and Sisters who are artists and who work in the humanities.
Our Brothers and Sisters who have healthcare issues and have chronic illnesses.
Our Brothers and Sisters who suffer from all forms of addiction.
Our Brothers and Sisters who are in prison.
Our Brothers and Sisters who are victims of Human Trafficking.
Our Brothers and Sisters who are our enemies and who hate us.
All our Brothers and Sisters! 
What names of our Brothers and Sisters do you want to speak?_____________

God we come to you to acknowledge that no one is invisible and that we as your children each have a special role to play in this fragile and broken world of ours. Help us to know that as COG (Children of God) we may help serve you by serving others by making the right changes we want to see in world. Help us ourselves to be the change we want to see in the world. May we always seek to be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) even when the day's news cycles rattle our nerves. May our spirits be enlivened, our steps, quickened, and that we may feel your Living Water Coursing through our veins this night and forevermore. Amen.


Psalm 134 Ecce nunc

Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.

Psalm 141:1-3,8ab Domine, clamavi

O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly; *
hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, *
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Set a watch before my mouth, O LORD,
and guard the door of my lips; *
let not my heart incline to any evil thing.
My eyes are turned to you, Lord GOD; *
in you I take refuge.

Help us to remember this as we pray and make vigil tonight:

IN LAK’ECH

Tú eres mi otro yo.

You are my other me.

Si te hago daño a ti,

If I do harm to you,

Me hago daño a mi mismo.

I do harm to myself.

Si te amo y respeto,

If I love and respect you,

Me amo y respeto yo.

I love and respect myself.

Luis Valdez





Let us prepare to let go and let God as we put away this year and look towards the next, by praying this prayer:

A Smudging Prayer
Creator,
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ.
May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit
 will help us to worship in spirit and truth.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you.
Amen.


To remind us of our Good Book Reading from St. Mark let us ponder and think about our own baptism and the promises we have made.


Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
What is your response? I hope it is this: 

I will, with God's help.

 Before we do anything more, we must breathe, think, pray, and remember that we are to treat everyone as a human representation of the divine (God) .We do not get a pass on this people. God made us each in God's image and likeness. When you slur someone you are slurring God.  With the events of this week, let us reaffirm our promises made at baptism as found in the Great Vigil of Easter. (BCP)

THE RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS


CelebrantDo you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and
renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
PeopleI do.
CelebrantDo you believe in God the Father?
PeopleI believe in God, the Father almighty,
     creator of heaven and earth.

CelebrantDo you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
PeopleI believe inJesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
     He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
          and born of the Virgin Mary.
     He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
          was crucified, died, and was buried.
     He descended to the dead.
     On the third day he rose again.
     He ascended into heaven,
          and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
     He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
CelebrantDo you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
PeopleI believe in the Holy Spirit,
     the holy catholic Church,
     the communion of saints,
     the forgiveness of sins,
     the resurrection of the body,
     and the life everlasting.
CelebrantWill you continue in the apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the
prayers?
PeopleI will, with God's help.
CelebrantWill you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
PeopleI will, with God's help.
CelebrantWill you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
PeopleI will, with God's help.
CelebrantWill you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
PeopleI will, with God's help.

CelebrantWill you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
PeopleI will, with God's help.
The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and
bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal
life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Confession of Need


Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.
Silence

Compassionate God,
we confess our weaknesses and our need for your
strengthening touch.
We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,
while others are beyond our control.
We turn to you, source of life,
and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ
for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.


May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,
and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

From The Arusha Call to Discipleship
Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life in all its diversity and beauty. Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we praise you that you came to find the lost, to free the oppressed, to heal the sick, and to convert the self-centred. Holy Spirit, we rejoice that you breathe in the life of the world and are poured out into our hearts. As we live in the Spirit, may we also walk in the Spirit. Grant us faith and courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus: becoming pilgrims of justice and peace in our time. For the blessing of your people, the sustaining of the earth, and the glory of your name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.



Psalm 96:7-10


7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the Lord honor and power.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.

9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.

10 Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."

The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.


1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, little children,

   because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young people,

   because you have conquered the evil one.

14 I write to you, children,

   because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

   because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young people,

   because you are strong

   and the word of God abides in you,

     and you have overcome the evil one.


15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17And the world and its desire* are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.

The Song of Hannah

1 Samuel 2:1-8

My heart exults in you, O God; *

my triumph song is lifted in you.

My mouth derides my enemies, *

for I rejoice in your salvation.

There is none holy like you, *

nor any rock to be compared to you, our God.

Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; *

Only God is knowing and weighs all actions.

The bows of the mighty are broken, *

but the weak are clothed in strength.

Those once full now labor for bread, *

those who hungered now are well fed.

The childless woman has borne sevenfold, *

while the mother of many is forlorn.

God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; *

gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies.

God raises the poor from the dust; *

and lifts the needy from the ash heap

To make them sit with the rulers *

and inherit a place of honor.

For the pillars of the earth are God’s *

on which the whole earth is founded.

Luke 2:36-40

36 There was also a prophet, Anna* the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child* to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.


A Song of Christ’s Humility

Philippians 2:6-11

Though in the form of God, *

Christ Jesus did not cling to equality with God,

But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *

and was born in human likeness.

Being found in human form, he humbled himself *

and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

Therefore, God has highly exalted him *

and given him the name above every name,

That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, *

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *

to the glory of God the Father.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.


Collects for the First Sunday After Christmas

Jesus, you saw the world through the eyes of a child.
Save us from the pride
that would refuse your command to live like you
in simplicity and joy.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen. (ANZPB)

Holy and eternal God,
your Son Jesus Christ has taught us
to learn from the simple trust of children;
give us pure hearts and steadfast faith
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (ANZPB)


Jesus, your ways are not our ways.
You are the Jewish boy,
you are the questioning child the parents lost.
Make us willing to listen
and humble in what we believe is right.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.

Amen.(ANZPB)


Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)

Merciful God, who raised up your servant Frances Joseph Gaudet to be a champion of the oppressed: Grant that we, encouraged by her example, may advocate for all who are denied the fullness of life to which you have called all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.


Holy God we pray for the forgiveness of  our misdeeds and sins as we forgive those who have hurt us . Help us to learn to ask for forgiveness and be forgiving so that there may be peace and healing in our heart homes.

Holy God we pray that we may let go of the many things that may linger in our heart homes from the past year so that we my find peace.

Holy God we pray that all warring factions may lay down their weaponry and practice peace and learn to love.

Holy God we pray for all God's children who are in harms way this night.

Holy God we pray for all homeless, hungry, and  those who do not have good clothing who will not find shelter from the cold tonight.

Holy God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing. We  pray for peace in their hearts while they await your healing.



For all cities in our country  and around the world, who are experiencing unrest. We pray for an end to all gun violence and  hate of any kind.
For those who are traveling this holiday season.
For families where there is division.
For our additional prayers and thanksgivings______________________________________
For those suffering from Mental illness and depression this time of year.
For all caregivers.

Holy God we lay these our prayers at the feet  and in the Name of  your only son Jesus who came to show us how to forgive, love, and care for all God's children. Amen


Or these:


God of Love come among us as we pray this night.

God of Love come to our hearts and fill them more fully with hope, joy, love, and peace.

God of Love help us to bring to this fragile and broken world a climate of love, forgiveness, and the indwelling of the fruits of the Spirit to all people. Help us to call to mind these fruits: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

God of Love, We pray for the least of these this night at home and around the world. 

God of Love, we pray for those who are ill and who are in need of proper medical care, and the patience to await the healing you are bringing them.

God of Love, Take away from us the need to speak when we need to listen with the ears of our hearts, and not to seek to reply but understand.

God of Love, help us to become the peacemakers and children you are calling us to be.

God of Love, give us the courage in the words of the Prophet Micah "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God"

God of Love, we pray for an end to all forms of hateful division and anger towards those who differ from us. 

God of Love, we pray that we will live out the words of Teresa of Avila in her famous prayer 


“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”



God of Love, give us courage to live out and listen to your words you spoke through you son Jesus on the sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1-12New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God of Love, help us to acknowledge our dependence upon you and each other. Help us to build bridges and tear down walls of division and hatred. 

God of Love, give us strength to live each day without fear of those who differ from us and gather the strength to find common ground in Love for one another. 

God of Love we pray for___________________

God of Love we pray and ask for the forgiveness of our sins this day as we call them to mind____________

God  of Love, we pray and give thanks for___________________

God of Love, we lay these prayers in the arms of your beloved son Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of
the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you
may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his
sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and
ever.    Hebrews 13:20-21


Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.



To make a creative contribution to this world
O God, we thank you for the lives of great saints and prophets in the past, who have revealed to us that we can stand up amid the problems and difficulties and trials of life and not give in. We thank you for our foreparents, who've given us something in the midst of the darkness of exploitation and oppression to keep going. Grant that we will go on with the proper faith and the proper determination of will, so that we will be able to make a creative contribution to this world. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray.  - Martin Luther King Jr.

The Song of Simeon    Nunc Dimittis
          Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free * 
    to go in peace as you have promised; 
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * 
    whom you have prepared for all the world to see: 
A Light to enlighten the nations, * 
    and the glory of your people Israel.

The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.(Source Celtic)


O God of love and mercy, 
grant us, with all your people, rest and peace.


Today’s Meditation
In the present moment
Hurry is an unpleasant thing in itself, but also very unpleasant for whoever is around it. Some people came into my room and rushed in and rushed out and even when they were there they were not there – they were in the moment ahead or the moment behind. Some people who came in just for a moment were all there, completely in that moment.
Live from day to day, just from day to day. If you do so, you worry less and live more richly. If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh




Extra prayers and quotes  from Howard Thurman and Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"When the song of the angels is stilled, 
 When the star in the sky is gone, 
 When the kings and princes are home, 
 When the shepherds are back with their flock, 
 The work of Christmas begins: 
 ...To find the lost, 
 To heal the broken, 
 To feed the hungry, 
 To release the prisoner, 
 To rebuild the nations, 
 To bring peace among brothers, 
 To make music in the heart." ~ Howard Thurman

"In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair." ~ Howard Thurman

"The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires." ~ Howard Thurman

"Jesus rejected hatred because he saw that hatred meant death to the mind, death to the spirit, and death to communion with his Father. He affirmed life; and hatred was the great denial." ~ Howard Thurman

"Where refugees seek deliverance that never comesAnd the heart consumes itself as if it would live,Where children age before their timeAnd life wears down the edges of the mind,Where the old man sits with mind grown cold,While bones and sinew, blood and cell, go slowly down to death,Where fear companions each day's life,And Perfect Love seems long delayed.CHRISTMAS IS WAITING TO BE BORN:In you, in me, in all mankind." ~ Howard Thurman

"There must be always remaining in every life, some place for the singing of angels, some place for that which in itself is breathless and beautiful." ~ Howard Thurman

"Twilight - a time of pause when nature changes her guard. All living things would fade and die from too much light or too much dark, if twilight were not." ~ Howard Thurman


"Listen to the long stillness: 
 New life is stirring 
 New dreams are on the wing 
 New hopes are being readied: 
 Humankind is fashioning a new heart 
 Humankind is forging a new mind 
 God is at work. 
 This is the season of Promise" ~ Howard Thurman

"Do not be silent; there is no limit to the power that may be released through you." ~ Howard Thurman



“Jesus stands at the door knocking (Rev. 3:20). In total reality, he comes in the form of the beggar, of the dissolute human child in ragged clothes, asking for help. He confronts you in every person that you meet. As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on you. That is the great seriousness and great blessedness of the Advent message. Christ is standing at the door; he lives in the form of a human being among us.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger


Reflection Byte from Last Year! A good reminder!
Bonhoeffer really brings it home to us especially when we read the Gospel According to St. John that was read today. We will see them later in our time of worship. This is a season as with all seasons to remember that Christ is in everyone and that we are called to care for the least of these. Today the least of these in our congregation were three children of God who were homeless, loud, and praising God in an unconventional way. I was hoping we were loving and  welcoming to them. I was hoping that we were welcoming to our unsheltered guests who camped out in our parking lot last evening. So let us be radically loving and welcoming to all God's Children. They are to be seen as Christ and God.  

Let us ponder these quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer today:

“With the birth of Jesus, the great kingdom of peace has begun.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger


“To those who recognize in Jesus the wonder of the Son of God, every one of his words and deeds becomes a wonder; they find in him the last, most profound, most helpful counsel for all needs and questions. Yes, before the child can open his lips, he is full of wonder and full of counsel. Go to the child in the manger. Believe him to be the Son of God, and you will find in him wonder upon wonder, counsel upon counsel.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

“The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the distress of the cross; therefore it is invincible and irrefutable.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger


“No priest, no theologian stood at the manger of Bethlehem. And yet all Christian theology has its origin in the wonder of all wonders: that God became human. Holy theology arises from knees bent before the mystery of the divine child in the stable. Without the holy night, there is no theology. “God is revealed in flesh,” the God-human Jesus Christ — that is the holy mystery that theology came into being to protect and preserve. How we fail to understand when we think that the task of theology is to solve the mystery of God, to drag it down to the flat, ordinary wisdom of human experience and reason! Its sole office is to preserve the miracle as miracle, to comprehend, defend, and glorify God’s mystery precisely as mystery. This and nothing else, therefore, is what the early church meant when, with never flagging zeal, it dealt with the mystery of the Trinity and the person of Jesus Christ…. If Christmas time cannot ignite within us again something like a love for holy theology, so that we—captured and compelled by the wonder of the manger of the son of God—must reverently reflect on the mysteries of God, then it must be that the glow of the divine mysteries has also been extinguished in our heart and has died out.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

“And that is the wonder of all wonders, that God loves the lowly…. God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in. He chooses people as his instruments and performs his wonders where one would least expect them. God is near to lowliness; he loves the lost, the neglected, the unseemly, the excluded, the weak and broken.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

“Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.5 Dietrich Bonhoeffer” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger

“We cannot approach the manger of the Christ child in the same way we approach the cradle of another child. Rather, when we go to his manger, something happens, and we cannot leave it again unless we have been judged or redeemed. Here we must either collapse or know the mercy of God directed toward us.” 
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is In the Manger


++++
Good Night Beloved Ones! Tomorrow we will have our annual New Year's Eve Vigil and meditate upon this past year.It is time to light a candle, fire, that we can place all the negative thoughts and things that troubled us throughout the year. Time to burn our Worry Free Sabbath Journal items for 2019. We all need to make a fresh start. I love you.



Resources:



A to Z Quotes

Satucket Lectionary Page  
Saint  of the Day : Frances Joseph-Gaudet
Bonus Readings for today's optional Saint of the Day
146 Lauda, anima mea

1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.

3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.

4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;

5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;

6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.

7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8 The Lord loves the righteous;
the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Lamentations 3:26-36
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for one to bear
   the yoke in youth,
28 to sit alone in silence
   when the Lord has imposed it,
29 to put one’s mouth to the dust
   (there may yet be hope),
30 to give one’s cheek to the smiter,
   and be filled with insults.

31 For the Lord will not
   reject for ever.
32 Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
   according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
33 for he does not willingly afflict
   or grieve anyone.

34 When all the prisoners of the land
   are crushed under foot,
35 when human rights are perverted
   in the presence of the Most High,
36 when one’s case is subverted
   —does the Lord not see it?

Luke 4:14-21
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me
     to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
   and recovery of sight to the blind,
     to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’
Resources Continued. 
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship 1 
Quote sites for prayers
Northumbria Community
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
A New Zealand Prayer Book
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Contemplative Cottage
Tonight's Calendar Work: 
December 30 : Isaiah 60:19

New Revised Standard Version
God the Glory of Zion

19 The sun shall no longer be
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give light to you by night;[a]
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Celtic Advent Calendar 2020! Yes it's here From Contemplative Cottage

How we spend our days is how we spend our lives. Annie Dillard


No comments:

Post a Comment