Shout Away The Darkness

At Christmas time many years ago, during the war, an old priest was visiting the wounded at a local hospital. He came upon a very young soldier whose spine had been shattered by a bullet. He was lying face down in a canvas cradle. A round hole had been cut into the bottom of the cradle for his face. But all he could see was the floor. Thousands of miles from home and fearing he'd never walk again, the teenager felt utterly alone, cut off from all the world as he stared at that floor hour after hour.

He spoke with the priest in hushed tones and then after awhile, the boy asked softly, "Father, could I see your face? I feel so alone. It would help me a lot, if I could just see your face a little while."

And so, carefully, with creaking joints, the old priest got down on his knees, then over onto his back, and ever so slowly he inched his way under the cradle until at last the boy could see him - face to face - and know for a little while that he wasn't alone.

That's what we've always longed for as we stumble through the cold and the dark, trying to find our way in life. We long to see our Father face-to-face and to know for sure we're not alone. We long for His warmth, His light, and His strength. And now on this holy night, our deepest longing is fulfilled and our dream has come true. For as we look upon that tiny face in the manger, we know at last what God is really like: He's the one who loves us with a love beyond all telling, and He holds nothing back.

As we see this child and as we know the man He'll become, we know in our hearts we'll never be alone or cold or afraid again. For God's son Jesus, our brother Jesus, has come to light our darkness, to warm our coldness, and to show us the way home! And on this Christmas feast we celebrate and we sing with the angels: Glory to God! Glory to God in the highest!

I invite all of us to light a candle this Christmas, not just shouting away the darkness of what is, or stuck in the longing for what might have been, but lighting our own candle of generosity, witness, forgiveness, and kindness.

In sharing my wishes for you to have a very happy Christmas, I pray that happiness will bring peace into our hearts, making us peacemakers in our homes, our communities, and making us, in small but real ways, makers of peace in our world.

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Loving God, You brought Your Son into this world that we may forever walk in light. We pray tonight for those who are in distant lands, defending democracy and human rights. Wherever they may be, may they find the embrace of love in their hearts, from their families and loved ones. We pray for those who are frightened about finances, the possibility of losing their jobs and homes, and who are suffering from stress. We pray for those who are struggling to maintain relationships due to the weight of financial worries. Bring peace and understanding into their hearts, that they may support one another. We pray for the countless children who suffer at the hands of adults who exploit, hurt, and intimidate them. Guide those children to people who can protect and help them. And we pray for our world leaders; that they may act with wisdom and compassion in all they do. We pray this in the name of Your living Son, Christ Jesus. Amen

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The Meaning of Christmas

Preparing For Christmas

The Darker Side of Christmas

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Feast of Epiphany

If you follow the Christian Liturgical calendar you will already know that tomorrow is the Feast of The Epiphany. A child I know once told me he calls it the ‘Ep Ip Hany Day,’ said in such a way to make it sound like ‘Hip Hip Hurray.’ I marvel at how children are able to mind-map things. It was also how he associated the story of the three wise men. And to be truthful, a story it is indeed.

Most people have already put away their plaster manger scenes and have cleared their homes of the secular markings of Christmas past. But just as we celebrated Epiphany Sunday yesterday, the Church celebrates the arrival of these star travellers on January 6.

We can only speculate from where they came. Truthfully, we have no idea. Avid and possibly somewhat obsessed astronomers have spent many cumulative years trying to determine whether there really was a star. Our determination to create impactive imagery always leaves the quintessential wise men arriving on camels. After all, they’re in the Middle East and everyone travelled by camel back then, didn’t they?

And for some reason there are always three wise men. I find this fascinating because Matthew’s Gospel makes no mention of how many there were. But it is accepted that the gifts were a symbolic gesture.

For the Church the entire story is symbolic. The visitors represent nations from the farthest points on the earth. The gifts, combined with their devotion, demonstrate that all nations can join in celebrating the birth of a baby destined to be Messiah, the suffering king.

The Epiphany is the presentation of Christ to the world. The travellers and the story of their visit to Bethlehem are a classic myth - a story told to encapsulate for those who understand a greater truth. In this case, it’s the symbolism. That the baby born in Bethlehem is not just for one place and time, but for everywhere, always, and all ways.
 

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Falling in Love at Clapham Junction

Please remember Me

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This Incredible Christmas Present

In his famous play, Green Pastures, playwright Marc Connelly has the angel Gabriel walk on stage with his horn under his arm. He approaches the Lord who is deep in thought. God is troubled about what is happening on earth: So much anger and fighting, so much pain and sadness, so many people blindly ruining their lives. God is very troubled because He has already sent any number of prophets and special messengers, but His people just can't hear them.

Gabriel offers to blow his horn and bring the whole sorry mess to a quick end. But God takes his trumpet away. Gabriel presses the Lord about what He's going to do. And finally the Lord answers, 'This time,' He says, 'I'm not going to send anybody. This time I'm going myself!'

And that's what we're celebrating today: God has given us the best gift He had: His own son as our guide, our brother and our friend. And He'll never take His gift back - not for all eternity.

So what are we to do with this incredible Christmas present? Take it in, all the way inside. Silently and simply, speak His name, 'Jesus,' and know that no matter what, all will be well. All will be well!

Christ, our Redeemer, Your birth has given us life. Accept our vow, as servants of Your word, that we shall spread Your message of peace, of love, of dedication, and hope, from this day forward. Amen

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Suffer the Children

When The Church Sins

Who are We Forgetting?

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