Week of December 3
By Nancy E.
My husband and I spend the month of February in Florida. While there, we make our church home the Miami Beach Community Church. One of the things I enjoy when attending services there is "reading" their hymnal. Isaiah 24:14 is used to introduce it:
They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
from the west they acclaim the Lord's majesty.
At the top of each page is a portion of scripture to which the hymn on that page relates. Reading the scripture while the organist plays the introduction to the hymn provides extra meaning to the text of the hymn itself - thus, increasing my experience of the musical worship portion of the service.
Following is a list of some of the hymns and linking scriptures used during our stay last winter:
Mathew 10:38
And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:25-26
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Jesus Shall Reign
John 14:18-19
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
Because He Lives
Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
Faith of Our Fathers
Romans 16:27
To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen
Gloria Patri
Luke 5:11
So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Lead on, O King Eternal
Revelation 15:3
And sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb.
Holy, Holy, Holy
John 6:50
But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.
Break Thou the Bread of Life
During a recent service at Abiding Presence, we sang the following five hymns. If you were selecting scripture to introduce these hymns, which ones would you use? If you take this challenge, please share your choices with me.
Let Us Break Bread Together;
Oh, Worship the King;
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling;
Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng!; and
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.
Lord, thank you for musicians and writers
who
bring so much meaning to our worship of you.
Amen
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Week of December 10
By Diane S.
If the Son therefore shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed.
(John 8:36, KJV)
The celebration of Christmas inevitably brings to the surface of our consciousness memories of times past, and the most poignant of these are the ones connected with friends and family who have passed away. The way we remember these people is determined, of course, by the kind of individuals we once perceived them to be and the how we felt when we were with them.
The past need not shape our thoughts and feelings forever, though, for our relationships can still evolve through the changes we make in ourselves in the present. When the memories are generally positive, we can enhance them, increasing our appreciation of these folk and the joy they brought to us, and perhaps inspiring us to follow their example. And when our recollections bring us pain, we can decide to change our minds, to see things differently, thus bringing forgiveness, healing, and release. In either case, our efforts will enrich our lives, deepen our faith, and further develop our capacity for love and service.
Elizabeth Watson, in her book Guests of My Life, which is the story of her journey through grief after a daughter's death, sees such activity as a moral obligation: "And this we owe our beloved dead, whether young or old: to wipe from our memories all that was less than their best, and to carry them in our hearts at their wisest, most compassionate, most creative moments." The author used classic literature to guide her, but any meaningful ritual or artistic endeavour can become a vessel for capturing the essence of a feeling or a relationship, if only for a moment, so that whatever change is needed can occur. The season of Advent, when we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord, seems like an appropriate time to incorporate such a practice into our daily lives, that through the grace of God, we can be reborn.
Then, on Christmas Eve, we will not only be watching and waiting, but also be better prepared to receive Him, and when we visit with friends and family, perhaps sharing memories of our departed ones, we will be able to communicate without fear or anxiety, because we will be free. Free from the kind of unmitigated grief that casts a shadow on memories that would otherwise bring us comfort and peace, stealing our joy. Free from the burdensome legacy of strained relationships, pulling us down and draining our energy. And free to fully appreciate the beauty in all the people who once accompanied us on our path through life, to recognize the truths they helped us to see, and to bathe in the goodness that was always there, whether we perceived it or not, for the very breath of God quickened us all.
Let us therefore work to renew ourselves, and then,
with light-hearted steps, go on our way rejoicing,
soon to meet our approaching Lord, the Light, the
Giver of Life, who was with us all in the beginning
and ever shall be. And if the Son shall make us free,
we shall be free indeed. Jubilate Deo! Thanks be to
God.
During this period of Advent, as we focus on your coming birth, help us remember your purpose in making this miraculous journey, which was to conquer death, to release the chains that would bind us, and to set us free to be people of God, not only in the future, but also in our present lives. Amen.
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Week of December 17
By Michael S.
... My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 1:46 (KJV)
These were the words that Mary said to Elizabeth, the mother-to-be of John the Baptist, after the visit from the Angel Gabriel who announced that she would bear Jesus. These are feelings I share. For me, these words exemplify the essence of my faith. I had these words at work when I had terrible things happen in my life as well as the most joyous of times, The deaths of my parents, brother and my first wife and the births of my three children. Finding a new partner-in-life and blending families counts as a Godsend.
Later, admitting to myself that I had problems I could not control was at the same time both terrible and uplifting for it gave me the opportunity to learn about my self. Through all the happenings in my life, I found strength, joy and peace in my faith. After a long career as a generalist in the worlds of technologies and science and helping others do what they did best with, for and by themselves, I found opportunities to serve others working with people with substance abuse issues, troubled youth and the homeless. I was able to use the same tools I had learned in the technical world useful in relating to and serving others. Here I found my happiest work years.
Now I find myself with physical problems that threaten to overwhelm and I still count them as challenges and opportunities to measure the strength of my faith. I know will persevere, am still optimistic and will enjoy my families (our grown children and our grandchildren).
In this Advent season, I am mindful of others blessed with the same gift of faith. The strength my faith gives me is not my own nor is meant to be kept close, it is meant to be shared with others. Hopefully, by sharing our own gift of faith we may help other by example and service.
Dear and precious Lord, we solemnly and with joy celebrate the Advent season. We pray for the strength and compassion to be willing to share out gift of faith in You and ourselves with others in need. Amen.
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Week of December 24
By Rosemary S.
For the past few years, it has been my custom on Christmas Eve to send via e-mail the story of the Holy Nativity as told in the gospel of Luke (KJV). In addition to the scripture, here is a short meditation I wrote, and a hymn, which I find most appropriate. In a world where so many are seeking to destroy our most holy season, let us take Christmas out of the malls and secular venues and put it back where it belongs in our hearts and in our churches. O come, let us adore him
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
LUKE 2:1-20 (KJV)
Every once in awhile, God provides a "teaching moment", an opportunity for us to step back and look at things in a new and different way. Once, about a week before Christmas, I was in our local supermarket. There is always a sale table, I look over the merchandise but seldom buy anything. That day, amidst the usual glittery Christmas decorations and ornaments, I spotted a small statue about 10 inches high of the holy family, done in pastels. The expressions on the faces were wonderful - the loving mother, the protecting father, the innocent baby. Joseph had one arm around Mary, the other shielding the baby Jesus. I decided it would be my Christmas treat to myself. As the young clerk began to wrap the figures in tissue paper to put in a box, she noticed that one of the fingers on Joseph's left hand, the one shielding the child, was damaged at the first joint.
"Oh," she said. "it's broken." Without missing a beat, I replied, "Joseph was a carpenter". She looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Every carpenter I know has injured a finger or two during his career." I continued. She smiled and agreed with me. So the Joseph with the broken finger came home with me.
And isn't that what Christmas is all about? God sent a flawless person to heal a damaged world. We all are broken in some way, physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, living in a broken world. This precious babe of Bethlehem was the only perfect human being, The holy infant, who came into this world exactly like every other mortal - tiny, helpless, and homeless - is God's promise of wholeness and perfection.
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior who came this night as a perfect child to give healing and wholeness to a broken people in a broken world. Amen.
Still, Still, Still (Austrian carol)
Still, still, still.The night is cold and chill!
The virgin's tender arms enfolding,
Warm and safe the Christ child holding.
Still, still, still,The night is cold and chill.
Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf. Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf.
Die Engel tun schön musizieren,
Bei dem Kindlein jubilieren,
Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf, Mein liebes Kindlein, schlaf!
Dream, dream, dream. He sleeps, the Savior King.
While guardian angels watch beside Him,
Mary tenderly will guide Him.
Dream, dream, dream. He sleeps the Savior King |
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Week of December 31
By Susan L.
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-4
Among all the Advent readings of the past four weeks, the above words especially resonated with me and have been frequently in my thoughts. Paul speaks of the joy he feels remembering his companions who share his belief in the message of the Gospel. When I turned to the book of Philippians, I was struck by Paulıs repeated references to joy as he sat waiting in a prison. He feels joy in knowing he is connected to so many good people. For instance:
Paul is joyfully secure in knowing that regardless of peopleıs motives, Christ is proclaimed by their acts (Phil. 1.18).
He is steadfastly joyful in his confidence that he benefits his friends in their progress towards faith (Phil. 1.18-25).
Paul is joyfully hopeful that his friends will make his own joy complete by being of one mind. (Phil. 2.2). Their good efforts will also bring good pleasure to God (2.13).
Paul is joyfully sincere in his thankfulness at Godıs graciousness in granting us the privilege of believing in and suffering for Christ. (Phil. 1.29). Those who come near death provoke special joy (Phil. 2.17-18, 29-30) in that they are like Christ (Phil 2.7) and Paul himself (2.17) who willingly pour themselves out as a libation over the many sacrifices Godıs people make to faith.
He is joyfully grateful and content (Phil. 4.10) with the kindnesses the people have shown him.
Finally, Paul is joyfully provoking in urging us to press on toward the heavenly goal. (Phil. 3.14). He is optimistic that Christ is at work in us and that we therefore can shine like stars (Phil. 2.14). What more fitting image for us as we wait for Epiphany?
Dear God,
Thank you for the blessings of the Church community and the joy that attends and subsumes group efforts. Amen
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