Advent and Christmas: Week 3
Sunday
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning. To thee be glory given, Word of the Father now in flesh appearing. (O Come All Ye Faithful # 83 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Now in Flesh
I love baking, especially yeast bread. Somehow the work of mixing and kneading, shaping and baking, keeps me in touch with the world around me. Most of my days are spent in the realm of words and ideas. Baking keeps me grounded. Christianity is not a faith that exists merely in the realm of philosophies; it takes seriously the world in which we live, this land of flesh and blood. Baptism uses real water; the Eucharist, real bread and wine. We anoint the sick with oil. We embrace at the peace. And Jesus we born as an infant, hungry and crying. At the beginning, God declared all creation “Good,” and so it remains.
Look at yourself in the mirror today. Carefully consider that God has declared you good.
Listen to Once in Royal David’s City
Monday
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Mother
I’ve watched it happen over and over again. Mothers are gathered somewhere, mothers of infants and college students and those who are now grandmothers. Somehow the subject comes up and they share stories of their pregnancies and the birth of their children. Easy or difficult, funny or painful, the stories will be told. It is the beginning of their motherhood, the time when all things were possible and all things were becoming, and when one’s life was being taken over by another life. It puts one off balance (sometime literally). Our lives are no longer our own. So, too, as our faith deepens we are thrown off balance by the wondrous things happening inside of us.
What is God bringing to birth in you?
Tuesday
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all. And his shelter was a stable and his cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
The Lowly
My dad had an amazing ability to notice people. He always remembered the name of any waitress and would call her by name. He would go to a store and by the time he left it seemed as though he knew all about the clerk’s family. He owned a business with a number of employees and was known to spend an hour every Friday after closing just hanging out and joking with the janitors. Everyone he met, no matter their status in society, was important and worthy of attention. I hope one day to do as well as he did. I’m still practicing.
Pay attention to each person you meet today.
Wednesday
For his is our lifelong pattern, daily when on earth he grew. He was tempted, scorned, rejected. Tears and smiles like us he knew. Thus he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Pattern
All of us parents rapidly become aware of how our children pattern their lives on ours. All of a sudden you hear your words said by your preschooler, or your own rationale from your tween. It’s a scary moment. I’m too aware of my own faults to feel very confident about being a pattern. This hymn reminds us that Christ is the true pattern that our lives can imitate. The more time we spend with Christ, the easier it is to see and follow the pattern.
Read Luke chapter 15. If possible, use The Message by Eugene Peterson or another modern translation such as the NRSV Bible. How does this influence how you act this week?
Thursday
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing round, we shall see him, but in heaven, where his saints his throne surround: Christ revealed to faithful eye, set at God’s right hand on high. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
God’s right hand
It is a picture of glory: Christ at God’s right hand. It is a glimpse of the coming of the Rule of God where all things are made right and whole. Christ, fully human and fully divine, sits at God’s right hand. Our fallen, imperfect humanity has been transformed and made perfect in Christ. What a wonder!
In your baptism you have been made one with Christ, who is seated at God’s right hand. Be aware today of your connection with Christ.
Listen to It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Friday, Dec. 20.
It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold. Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven’s all-gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. (It Came upon a Midnight Clear #89 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Peace
Have you ever noticed that on Sunday morning we offer each other peace, just after the confession? The peace is more than just a way to greet one another during the service; it is a way of stating our reconciliation. Whatever has happened between us, whatever we have struggled with, whatever anger or disagreements may have existed in the past or may happen in the future, at this moment, here in the presence of God, we are at peace with each other. May you carry that peace with you, into every relationship, and to every person you encounter. Peace be with you.
Consider a relationship you are struggling with. Offer it to God and pray for peace and healing within you and in your relationship.
Saturday
Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful winds unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats, o’er all the weary world, above its sad and lowly plains the tidings which they bring. O hush the noise and cease your strife, and hear the angels sing. (It Came upon a Midnight Clear #89 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Hush
I love this image, the angels covering a sad and tired world with their wings. It reminds me of a mother rocking her overtired child to sleep. The quiet crooning of a lullaby, just loud enough to catch the child’s attention, and arms wrapped around them, strong enough to help them quiet down and rest, rocking rhythmically, steadily, until they can relax in the safety of their mother’s embrace. Our image of God is often that of a father. Here, for me, God is our mother.
Allow yourself to be rocked in God’s loving embrace.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning. To thee be glory given, Word of the Father now in flesh appearing. (O Come All Ye Faithful # 83 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Now in Flesh
I love baking, especially yeast bread. Somehow the work of mixing and kneading, shaping and baking, keeps me in touch with the world around me. Most of my days are spent in the realm of words and ideas. Baking keeps me grounded. Christianity is not a faith that exists merely in the realm of philosophies; it takes seriously the world in which we live, this land of flesh and blood. Baptism uses real water; the Eucharist, real bread and wine. We anoint the sick with oil. We embrace at the peace. And Jesus we born as an infant, hungry and crying. At the beginning, God declared all creation “Good,” and so it remains.
Look at yourself in the mirror today. Carefully consider that God has declared you good.
Listen to Once in Royal David’s City
Monday
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed. Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Mother
I’ve watched it happen over and over again. Mothers are gathered somewhere, mothers of infants and college students and those who are now grandmothers. Somehow the subject comes up and they share stories of their pregnancies and the birth of their children. Easy or difficult, funny or painful, the stories will be told. It is the beginning of their motherhood, the time when all things were possible and all things were becoming, and when one’s life was being taken over by another life. It puts one off balance (sometime literally). Our lives are no longer our own. So, too, as our faith deepens we are thrown off balance by the wondrous things happening inside of us.
What is God bringing to birth in you?
Tuesday
He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all. And his shelter was a stable and his cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
The Lowly
My dad had an amazing ability to notice people. He always remembered the name of any waitress and would call her by name. He would go to a store and by the time he left it seemed as though he knew all about the clerk’s family. He owned a business with a number of employees and was known to spend an hour every Friday after closing just hanging out and joking with the janitors. Everyone he met, no matter their status in society, was important and worthy of attention. I hope one day to do as well as he did. I’m still practicing.
Pay attention to each person you meet today.
Wednesday
For his is our lifelong pattern, daily when on earth he grew. He was tempted, scorned, rejected. Tears and smiles like us he knew. Thus he feels for all our sadness, and he shares in all our gladness. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Pattern
All of us parents rapidly become aware of how our children pattern their lives on ours. All of a sudden you hear your words said by your preschooler, or your own rationale from your tween. It’s a scary moment. I’m too aware of my own faults to feel very confident about being a pattern. This hymn reminds us that Christ is the true pattern that our lives can imitate. The more time we spend with Christ, the easier it is to see and follow the pattern.
Read Luke chapter 15. If possible, use The Message by Eugene Peterson or another modern translation such as the NRSV Bible. How does this influence how you act this week?
Thursday
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing round, we shall see him, but in heaven, where his saints his throne surround: Christ revealed to faithful eye, set at God’s right hand on high. (Once in Royal David’s City #102 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
God’s right hand
It is a picture of glory: Christ at God’s right hand. It is a glimpse of the coming of the Rule of God where all things are made right and whole. Christ, fully human and fully divine, sits at God’s right hand. Our fallen, imperfect humanity has been transformed and made perfect in Christ. What a wonder!
In your baptism you have been made one with Christ, who is seated at God’s right hand. Be aware today of your connection with Christ.
Listen to It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Friday, Dec. 20.
It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth, to touch their harps of gold. Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven’s all-gracious King. The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing. (It Came upon a Midnight Clear #89 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Peace
Have you ever noticed that on Sunday morning we offer each other peace, just after the confession? The peace is more than just a way to greet one another during the service; it is a way of stating our reconciliation. Whatever has happened between us, whatever we have struggled with, whatever anger or disagreements may have existed in the past or may happen in the future, at this moment, here in the presence of God, we are at peace with each other. May you carry that peace with you, into every relationship, and to every person you encounter. Peace be with you.
Consider a relationship you are struggling with. Offer it to God and pray for peace and healing within you and in your relationship.
Saturday
Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful winds unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats, o’er all the weary world, above its sad and lowly plains the tidings which they bring. O hush the noise and cease your strife, and hear the angels sing. (It Came upon a Midnight Clear #89 1982 Episcopal Hymnal)
Hush
I love this image, the angels covering a sad and tired world with their wings. It reminds me of a mother rocking her overtired child to sleep. The quiet crooning of a lullaby, just loud enough to catch the child’s attention, and arms wrapped around them, strong enough to help them quiet down and rest, rocking rhythmically, steadily, until they can relax in the safety of their mother’s embrace. Our image of God is often that of a father. Here, for me, God is our mother.
Allow yourself to be rocked in God’s loving embrace.