The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The Astrologers Got It Right

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (NRSV)

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Psalm 72 (BCP., p.685)


Ephesians 3:1-12 (NRSV)

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Blog Reflection

This past Sunday, Jason and I took a small day trip to visit the historic Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault, Minnesota.  It is historic in that it was the original Episcopal Cathedral of Minnesota  in which the cornerstone was laid by The Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple in 1858.  It was also the first Cathedral in The Episcopal Church.  We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. 

The Very Rev. Justin Chapman, the new Dean told us all in his sermon some incredible things.  Among them, is that we Christians have often gotten the Christmas story all wrong.  The inn that had no room for Mary and Joseph was not like a Days Inn.  It was an inn with a family space and a guest house.  The reason there was no room is because the guest house was already occupied and the family room also had one guest.  The Manger would not have been a wooden cradle with hay.  It was a cave where straw and food for the animals would have been.  Therefore, the Child Jesus would not have been in the cold, He was laid in a very warm place.  Fr. Chapman also gave me a bit of an education about the Magi.  Notice that no where in the Gospel of Matthew do we read the word "kings."  Instead we read about the "wise men" and we do not see the word "three" in there.  How many men (or possibly women) were there?  Additionally, the Magi would have been the outcasts of the outcasts of their day.  They were astrologers who read the stars.  Some very good insights indeed.

On this celebration of The Epiphany, the center of our worship today is the manifestation of God in Christ.  Another word for Epiphany is "revelation."  Jesus Christ was the perfected revelation of God's Self in The Word Incarnate.  The visit of the Magi and the offering their gifts to the Christ Child turns the page on the Christmas story.  The twelve days of Christmas are over.  Now a new chapter begins.  The Lord shows forth God's glory by not limiting God's Self to only one people with one way of thinking and/or believing.  Jesus Christ is the revelation of how God seeks the healing and reconciliation of all people with God, even those who are not the most included or accepted.  On the contrary, in Jesus, God manifests the presence and grace of God upon the lowly and poor.  For "He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight" (Psalm 72:14).  "He shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper" (Psalm 72:12). 

As the Church continues to struggle to be more inclusive and to share the Good News of Jesus in a world full of oppression, poverty and prejudice; the greatest challenge we have is facing the ways in which we have failed in our mission.  The Church too has our history of keeping the outcasts out because of our biases that we have in many cases nurtured.  Each time we discover something that we Christians have been getting it wrong, we begin a journey towards the Christ Child with the Magi to learning the truth about our faith in a new way. 

Maybe our journey will be guided by the astrologers who study the stars and their meaning again. 

Maybe heterosexual couples will learn how to better understand the value of their own relationships as the freedom to marry for same-gender couples becomes better known and accepted.

Maybe we will develop a greater understanding of how to eliminate gender bias, by learning to embrace and love transgender people. 

Perhaps if we allow our hearts to be punctured by the excessive racism that we saw in 2014, we just might do something about it in 2015.  

If all of us are really sick of our communities and schools threatened by gun violence; we might do more than just talk about reducing the violence, but actually become responsible and act to protect our children citizens and law enforcement.

Maybe we just might become better stewards of the earth and its many resources, and address the issue of climate change.

If the astrologers as in the Magi got it right about who Jesus was (and is), then so can we.  If the Magi can change the story about Jesus in a way that makes Him the Savior of those marginalized by society and the Church, so can we.  The Light of Christ is our guide to finding Jesus present in our sisters and brothers who cry out for justice, equality and peace.  If we follow the example of the Holy Family and the Magi, we can and most likely will make an impact on humankind that will be told in the here and now, and eventually into eternity.  

Wouldn't that be just wonderful?

Amen.


Prayers

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.214).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.  (Prayer for the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.816).    

Second Sunday after Christmas: The Holy Immigrant Family

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 31:7-14 (NRSV)

Thus says the LORD:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,

and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,

"Save, O LORD, your people,

the remnant of Israel."

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame, those with child and

those in labor, together;

a great company, they shall return here.

With weeping they shall come,

and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,

in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,

and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,

and declare it in the coastlands far away;

say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,

and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."

For the LORD has ransomed Jacob,

and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,

and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,

over the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and over the young of the flock and the herd;

their life shall become like a watered garden,

and they shall never languish again.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,

and the young men and the old shall be merry.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

I will give the priests their fill of fatness,

and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,

says the LORD.

Psalm 84 (BCP., p.707)


Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a (NRSV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (NRSV)

Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."

Blog Reflection

I love paintings, windows and objects that depict what the Bible reads.  I especially love Nativity scenes this time of the year.  The image above in this blog post is lovely as it shows us an image of Jesus, Mary and Joseph fleeing into Egypt.  Giving us a visual idea of what took place in our Gospel Reading from Matthew.

However, there is one thing that is disturbing about all of these images.  Despite their artistic beauty and spiritual inspiration, they give us a false image.  The Holy Family was not from a Caucasian, Christian or wealthy family.  They were of a middle eastern, poor and Jewish family.  They did not set sail form England to look for the new world that the first Pilgrims found.  They journeyed from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape Herod's slaughter of the Holy Innocents.  The Holy Family was an immigrant family that visited Egypt.

In this Christmastide, we have been celebrating the coming of Christ in the Word made Flesh.  Jesus was born into our world of injustice and separation.  Our God who made everything, needed the help of his human family to escape a coming massacre.  Was God still there, or did God choose the easy way out?

One thing that I get from this Gospel story, is that regardless of our place of origin; all of us are visitors who are just passing through.  God came to us in the Word through whom everything that was made.  In Jesus, was God's very thoughts about who each of us is; perfectly made and spoken into existence.  The Church has proclaimed this Word on every continent, nation and corner of the Earth.  As God's Incarnate Word is not limited to any place or time in God's Divinity, so God is always present in every person created in the image of the Holy Trinity.  In our poverty of spirit and understanding of ourselves and others, God fills us with the awesome vision of God's Self embedded in the diversity of all persons with dignity and full of possibility.

We Christians must recommit ourselves to ending the racism, sexism, heterosexism, gender, religious and social oppression that seeks to make anyone who is different from us, a second class citizen.  In Christ, each of us are the apple of God's eyes, and held deep in the heart of the Incarnate Word.  Enough with the heartless and misguided cries that those coming to America as "illegals" come because they just want "amnesty".  Enough with allowing the wealthy to control our government, immigrations policies, the laws about equality for women, LGBT people, African Americans, Native Americans and more.  Enough with Christians using the Bible and the Holy Name of Jesus Christ as an excuse to ignore what the Gospel is really about; justifying actions and attitudes that are non-existent in the Person of Christ, who is The Word.

As we walk from this Second Sunday after Christmas, to the Manifestation of God in Christ on Tuesday, may we be ready to greet and welcome every person.  May we do our part to help make the Church and society a place where there is inclusive justice and equality in which Jesus will be received, healed and reconciled without exception or excuse.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully
restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may
share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share
our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Second Sunday after Christmas.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.214).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the
nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh;
and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for Mission.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.100).

First Sunday After Christmas: Oh, That Word Again?

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p.804)


Galatians 3:23-25 (NRSV)

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Blog Reflection

Yes, it is that Word again.  It is the same Word we heard and read about on that amazing Christmas Eve, Day and since.  Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word came among us as God's perfect revelation of Self.  As Christians, we make no excuse or apology for believing in what seems so absurd to the rest of the world.  We do not just believe in a God who is far removed from us.  We believe that we live in relationship with God who is very close to us in God's Son. The Christmas mystery is about how God broke through time, space, matter and what seemed so impossible; and became a human being.

If we Christians owe the world an apology and/or a better representation of Jesus, the Word; we should begin and become constant in seeking to deepen our relationship to Christ through our relationships with one another.  It is our responsibility to The Word to be better stewards of the earth and it's resources.  Our response to the wonderful Grace of God in The Word should be to build and maintain an inclusive Church and society.  One combined existence of the Church and our communities can give a better witness to The Word by doing more to protect our vulnerable children from senseless gun violence.   If we want other religions to respect the Christian Religion, then we must become agents of healing and reconciliation between the different religions of the world.  Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and many others have something to contribute to the diversity of beliefs.  Christianity makes an important contribution to the good that is in many other religions, so long as we do not use the privilege we have as Christians to disregard the dignity of others.

The Word who is Jesus, wants to make an impact through us with the marginalized and stigmatized.  To accomplish what God wants from us, we must avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit's grace to confront our interior dispositions towards others who are different from ourselves.  We must work to end racism in the Church and the rest of the world, so that each person can find their path to a God who is present among us all in the Word made Flesh.

It is no secret that what I am writing about here, and what I have been writing about in this blog for nearly six years is hard stuff.  It challenges us in ways that not only shake others up, but ourselves too.

The wonder and mystery of the Incarnation is that God came to shake us up not in some all powerful and war like being; but in an innocent and helpless Child born just as each one of us was.  Jesus had His relationship with God His Father up to the point of the Garden of Gethsemane.  At that point, not even Jesus' relationship to God was as so important for him, that out of love for us; He gave up even that to be our Redeemer.  He was God who served us as one like us, with all of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love as His only concern.

If we want to know how to love others as God loves us, the example of the love of Christ is our best teacher.

Amen.


Prayers

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. (Collect for the First Sunday after Christmas.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.213).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.815).

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: The Crown of Epiphany before Lent

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 24:12-18 (NRSV)
 

The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Psalm 2  (BCP., p586)


2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Blog Reflection

The significance of the Transfiguration as the Last Sunday after the Epiphany before Ash Wednesday in the Revised Common Lectionary is at an important crossroads for the Church.  Before we enter into the forty days of Lent, leading up to Holy Week and Easter Day, we journey with Jesus, Peter, James and John and climb the mountain where Jesus is transfigured.   We are witnesses to the event of the Transfiguration with those three Apostles, scared, wanting to stay there with Jesus, Elijah, and Moses in this moment of light, prophecy with a glimpse of the glory of God in Christ.  Just as the Season of Epiphany concluded at the Baptism of Jesus with the voice of God telling us that Jesus is God's Beloved with whom God is well-pleased, we are given the same request at the Transfiguration along with being told to listen to Jesus.

I recently started reading a new book as part of my formation.  The book is entitled The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy As Spiritual Experience by Thomas Keating.  Keating writes that  we began this Liturgical Year with Advent, and then went through Christmas in which Jesus was born as the Word made flesh.  The Greek word for flesh is Sarx.  Meaning all of our human nature as it actually is, with all of it's suffering, immaturity, it's prone to rebel against the love of God, neighbor and self became one in the Person of God's Son, Jesus the Christ. "It is the human condition committed to it biological survival for its own sake or for the sake of the clan, tribe, nation or race" Keating wrote page 26.  Keating goes on the tell us the other side of Sarx.

The Greek word soma refers to the body insofar as it is open to further evolution: it is the human condition open to development. "The Word was made flesh" signifies that by taking the human condition upon Himself with all its consequences, Jesus introduced into the entire human family the principle of transcendence, giving the evolutionary process a decisive thrust toward God-consciousness (page 26).

The Season of the Epiphany is the crowning of Christmas, as the marriage between God and humankind.  This idea is what is meant with the story of the Marriage at Cana found in John 2:1-11.  The union of God with all humankind is consummated in the Holy Eucharist, which is the entire Paschal Mystery made present in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Season after the Epiphany finishes with the Transfiguration.  Another view of Jesus as the Light, in glory with the prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures announcing the new era of God's manifestation in what is about to happen as Jesus prepares for that final journey towards Jerusalem.  There in Jerusalem, Jesus will face His trial, crucifixion, and win the victory over death in His resurrection.  However, we cannot go there with Jesus, until we leave this holy mountain and journey with Him through Lent. The Season of self-denial, penitence, alms-giving, fasting and prayer.  The time to examine ourselves a bit more closely, to be sure we are ready to go all the way with Jesus to the Cross, or if we are still holding ourselves back by our own sins, disobedience, prejudices and our false sense of self.

The temptation of the Transfiguration is to say with Peter; "Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Let me build tents for all of us, so we can stay here and worship you."   However, it is not enough to stay with Jesus in our moments of glory and beauty by themselves.  If we are to experience the full impact of Jesus as God's perfect revelation of God's Self, then we must also walk with Jesus from the mountain back to the valleys of our lives.   As we return to those troublesome valleys,with all of the dangers and uncertainties, we can be confident that our God who is with us in Jesus in those glorious moments on the mountain, will be with us in the difficulties we face in the valleys. 

This past week, we went through some very dark valleys for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.   On Monday we got the very sad and troubling news that the President of Uganda signed into law the draconian bill that further criminalizes LGBT people for who they are, and who they love.  The law in and of itself is bad enough.  The fact that it was encouraged by American Evangelical Christian Missionaries makes the passing of this law even more egregious.  The message of the Gospel used as a means to hurt LGBT people with another deep wound, and defame the Name of Jesus Christ who came to redeem us all, without asking any of us to give up being who we are.  The grief many of us are feeling at this time is deep and brutal.  Yet, in ways that we cannot explain or understand, God is with us in Christ.

We were all relieved that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed S.B.1062 that would have been a license to discriminate on the unfounded basis of religious liberty.   However, after she vetoed the bill, a Fox news correspondent made the claim that "If you are Christian and live in Arizona, your Governor has just told you that the first amendment of the Constitution no longer applies to you."   Let's get one thing clear.  There are Christians who believe in protecting the rights of LGBT people, supporting immigration reform, a woman's right over her reproductive health care, supporting the poor, retired and disabled through Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and health care reform.   Those of us who do support these and many other important social justice issues of our time, are no less Christian than those who do not.   So, when you suggest that all Christians believe the same to be a Christian, you may want to ask the Lord at what point did He give over His job of judging others to you.  It was after all, Jesus who was transfigured on that holy mountain.  And it is God who told all of us that in Jesus we are God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.   And, God told all of us, that is every one of us, to listen more closely to Jesus.   I think if we all listen just a little bit more closely from the heart, instead of through the minds of religious based bigotry disguised as defending religious liberty, we will hear Jesus tell us to love one another without distinction.   Jesus doesn't make scapegoats out of others to excuse Himself from loving others.   Only Christians who want to use the Gospel as an excuse for discrimination and violence do that.  I am so thankful that I have the choice of answering the call to serve Christ, by following Him so seriously, by not taking the Bible too literally.

When Jesus came down the mountain to His disciples who were on the ground in fear, what did He say to them?  "Get up and do not be afraid."   That is what He tells all of us to do today.   Before we go from today, into Ash Wednesday, our Lord calms us by telling us, "Get up and do not be afraid."   Jesus wants us to get up from where we are, and not be afraid to follow Him.  Because, from this point, Jesus is "God with us" where ever we go.   He is the presence of God in our lives and to others around us.  He is with us in the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us toward a closer relationship with God and one another.  Let us now, listen more closely to Jesus, as God's Beloved, with whom God is well-pleased.

Amen


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.217).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

 Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

First Sunday After Christmas: The Word, Light, and Grace

Today's Scripture Verses


Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p804)



Galatians 3:23-25, 4:4-7 (NRSV)

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Blog Reflection

Once again, Christmas Day passed us five days ago.  The stores and malls are not playing their endless round of "holiday" music.   If you heard Maria Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" as much as I did, you, like me, might be happy we are not listening to it anymore.  At least until next November 1st.  Many Christmas trees are already out on the street corner to be picked up.

As for churches that follow a Liturgical Calendar, the Christmas Season continues until January 6th, the Epiphany.  It is not uncommon for us to get questions like: "Um, dude, Christmas is over.  Put the carols away until next year?"   So, why not do that?

We would not put them away now, because the Christmas Season is not one holiday long.  It is an event through which the God who made everything through the Word, became one like us in Jesus Christ.   The story of Jesus Christ entering into our human existence as God with us.  Emmanuel.  God being helpless, vulnerable, in need of protection, nurturing and susceptible to everything you and I are.   Jesus was not even totally safe from the possibility of being killed with the other Holy Innocents, had Mary and Joseph not fled to Egypt with Him.  His arrival was not good news for everyone.   He had His enemies and skeptics all waiting for Him.

It is easy to look back on the people of that time and wonder what in the world was wrong with them.  However, as Marcus Borg wrote in Jesus: A New Vision we only know Him from a post-resurrection point of view.  The historical Jesus is as hidden a mystery to our limited understanding in 2013 as He was to those who knew Him in His own time.  What we do know about Jesus is that He was the Word who brought Light and the Grace of God into our world.   Because Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self.  

Maybe people put Christmas away immediately after December 25th, because Christians have yet to show them how the Word is present now in our time.  As we hear the news that Christianist missionaries are transporting the hate towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to places like Russia, Uganda, other countries, how can people possibly believe in the Word made Flesh?   Why believe in God coming to us in Christ?  

Why believe in the Christmas Story, with Christians celebrating the Americans who will lose their unemployment benefits in only a few short days?

Returning to Uganda for a moment, the Anglican Bishop of Uganda celebrates the passage of the "kill the gays bill".   Amazing that a Bishop in our Anglican Communion celebrates the passing of a bill, that is a new massacre of LGBT people.   How are we to properly celebrate Christmas with that kind of talk?

In the Incarnate Word, Jesus does not promise to end all injustice, oppression and violence.  It would have been great if that would have happened.  However, Jesus came as God with us, to show that God walks with us in Him as we by the power of the Holy Spirit, do what Jesus would do in situations like what we are seeing today.  In the Gospels, Jesus showed us how to welcome the stranger, have mercy on the oppressed and love the one whom others consider unlovable.  Jesus told us that the Kingdom of God had come in Him, and in Him, it is possible for God to do so much to change the world for the better.   All God asks of us in this Christmas Season is to let Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh be reborn in us today, tomorrow and in the New Year 2014 so that we may help make the Christmas mystery ever present and real in our world.

Perhaps we can show others why we sing Christmas Carols another week is such a good idea. When we have compassion on those who live with addictions, mental illness or are  homeless, poor and needy.  In our singing of Joy to the World, may the Lord come and show His love through us.  May we gladly receive Him and share His love with others, because we speak up to end the violence towards women, education, workers and those who are in need of food stamps and immigration reform.   Let every heart prepare room for God among us, as Christians live the meaning of the story of how Jesus Christ, the Word with Light and Grace transforms the world around us, because we who believe in Him, let His Light cast off the darkness.

Amen.


Prayers

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.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.213).

Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one:
Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and
obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit,
that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your
Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.255).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

Fourth Day of Christmas: The Holy Innocents and the Wounded Knee Massacre

Today's Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV)

When the wise men had departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

Blog Reflection

I often wish I did not know about this Holy Day in our Church calendar.  I want the night before Christmas back with the beauty of the expected coming of the Christ Child, the music, the singing, the sermon about Emmanuel, God with us.

I do not get to chose what is in the history of the Christian Church. I know.  I know. I am free to do whatever I want with my religion.  Except that if I do that and pass up what the Holy Innocents is about, I am not being true to who I am as a gay Episcopalian and a Benedictine.

We remember today with great horror and"why, O God" that King Herod slaughtered every male child up to two years old, because he was afraid that the new born King was going to supplant him.  This is one scene that Franco Zeffirelli brought home in the Anglo/Italian mini series Jesus of Nazareth depicted with drama that almost makes me sick to my stomach.   The screaming amidst the brutality of Herod's warriors putting these babies to the sword and the weeping mothers as the streets are literally filled with blood is heart wrenching. 

As in past years, I write today about this Holy Day, and the Wounded Knee Massacre that took place 123 years ago today.  A date that is oddly the same as remembering the Holy Innocents.  Native Americans were slaughtered during the Wounded Knee Massacre with the same kind of brutality that killed the Holy Innocence back in Bethlehem.  The Wounded Knee Massacre is as much a Holy Innocence killing as it is an example of the lack of hospitality that actually destroyed the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.   It wasn't homosexuality, as some still insist.

Both of these horrible massacres are the result of political maneuvering for the purpose of safe guarding a sense of insecurity on the part of a King and a government that just cannot allow something that they cannot understand, to roam freely and complete the purpose for which they exist.

When we read about incidents like these, our first question naturally is "where was God?"  If God is so Divine and Omni-present and Almighty, why didn't God intervene here?

I cannot answer that question in a way that would make sense. The violence we recall on a day like this, just does not make sense.

What also does not make sense is how so-called "pro-life" people make use of the horrible events we remember today to shame women about abortion.  It is a terrible abuse of pastoral and religious authority to use this day on women who are so often victimized by men in cases of rape and sexual assault. Women who are experiencing complications with their reproductive organs and need to make a decision about the fetus and the consequences she will face socially if she decides to abort, don't need reminders of how painful such a decision is.  Yet, many "pro-lifers" insist on using this day to pile on the guilt.

Days like this can also be a reminder of how Christianists and others who still use the Bible to condemn lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; particularly youth.  LGBT and questioning youth who are trying to understand who they are and why they are so different from others who don't have these feelings in side of them that they are so afraid of.  They hear messages about how "As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that homosexuality is wrong." (See the movie For the Bible Tells Me So for the quote).  The innocence of a pure heart that wants to love herself/himself the way they are and know there is a place for them and God in this world, gets violated as Christianist Pastors invade their sacred spaces.  This too is it's own form of a massacre.

How can the Christ Child of Bethlehem heal our broken relationships on a day like this?

I think we have to begin by allowing the Christ Child to help us understand what is in our own hearts.  All of us have those things that we think give us a sense of self security.  We all have that someone that we want out of our way so we can do as we please.  There is someone some where that scares our sense of self sufficiency to the point where we just have to do our political maneuvering.  If we are not careful, those feelings can drive us to an emotional violence towards someone whom we just hate so much, that we just cannot let them be who they are.

Jesus comes in the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth to help us know that the Light of God shines into those dark places within our hearts and souls.  That Light comes with love and grace to deliver us from our own sense of feeling like the hate that is in our hearts for someone else just cannot be changed or healed. God tells us that it is okay to let go. God tells us that it is okay that we let that individual who is between God and our personal salvation go and be who they are.  We don't have to change them.  We don't have to like them.  We don't even have to be their new best friend.  We also do not have to harbor that prejudice and hurt that harms ourselves on their account.  The Christ Child says; It's okay to let go.

Today's commemoration of the Holy Innocents teaches us that though we may not feel or see God in the midst of the horrible things that happen; we can be part of the solution if we are willing to let Jesus change our hearts and lives.  We can allow LGBT people, women, Native Americans, Muslims, Jews, immigrants and so forth seek to live their lives in peace with all of us.  In that peace there there is no need for political maneuvering.  Because God in Christ takes these horrible events and uses them to change communities and all humankind if only we will let God's Light shine through the darkness.

Amen.


Prayers

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy
innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray,
into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your
great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish
your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Holy Innocents, Book of Common Prayer, page 238).

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 99).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).

Third Day of Christmas: St. John the Evangelist and Apostle

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 33:18-23 (NRSV)

Moses said to God, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, `The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Psalm 92 (BCP., 720)


1 John 1:1-9 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 21:19b-24 (NRSV)

Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me."

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.

Blog Reflection

From the tractates on the first letter of John by Saint Augustine.

Now this Word, whose flesh was so real that he could be touched by human hands, began to be flesh in the Virgin Mary's womb; but he did not begin to exist at that moment.  We know this from what John says: What existed from the beginning.  Notice how John's letter bears witness to his Gospel, which you just heard a moment ago: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.

Someone might interpret the phrase the Word of life to mean a word about Christ, rather than Christ's body itself which was touched by human hands.  But consider what comes next: and life was revealed. Christ therefore is himself the Word of life. (Liturgy of the Hours, Volume I, Advent Season, Christmas Season, p. 1267).

John and Augustine give us a very special picture of Jesus.  Jesus is not just someone who existed in history.  Jesus is so much more than a story told.  Jesus is God made visible and tangible to humankind in the Word made Flesh.  That tangibility requires faith to be guided to seeing and touching Christ in the various ways by which Jesus is made known.

John knows that what he proclaims about Christ is and was from the beginning, and even now exists, and will forever be.  This much we pray every time we pray Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.   It is more than a prayer of Faith as in what we believe, it is by this prayer that the Psalms and Canticles become the prayers of Christ himself. 

All of this may seem like theological stuff, but it is in fact more than that.  St. John the Evangelist wrote in both the Gospel attributed to him, and the three letters also said to be from him, the important place of love within the Christian life.  The Love for Christ, from Christ to us, and from us to Christ in others.   St. John makes it very clear that the worship of God in Christ finds it's meaning and tangibility when love is the reason and purpose of all we do, in the Name of Christ.

We can spend all of our time talking about restoring the world to a place of justice, equality with freedom from oppression and prejudice.  But, until we see that it is for the love of Christ that Christians must take their place and work towards these, the work of the Gospel will remain unfinished.  The Nativity of Christ of which we are still celebrating is just a really fancy bed time story.  It really is only meant for one time of the year.  As for the rest of the year, we are all on our own.  We left Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds etc at the manger in Bethlehem, but forgot to join Jesus as he walked with the Cross weighing him down and draining him of all life, because it just made us too uncomfortable.

St. John the Evangelist wrote about how real God was to him.   Today, Jesus invites all of us to make God real in our lives.   We are given the opportunity to make God tangible through Christ by our prayers and work to help the marginalized of society and the Church, including and not limited to LGBT people.   We include ending racism, sexism, the constant ignorance of the poor, the disenfranchised, the sick and so on.   As Christ was born amidst the mess of humankind, so God finds all of us and walks with us through our confusion and disarray.  God reaches out to touch us, so that we too can proclaim what we have seen and heard.

What ways might God be calling us to make the presence of Christ tangible?

If there were one thing you could do that shows God being authentic in your life, what would that be?

How might we respond to that tangible presence of Christ in those places and people where God is not so simple to find?

Let's take one idea from St. John the Evangelist.   Let love be one of those ways.

Amen


Prayers

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light,
that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and
evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that
at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for St. John the Evangelist, Book of Common Prayer, p. 238).


Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: God's Love in Christ has Arrived.

Today's Scripture Readings are a mixture from the various Liturgies for Christmas.  As with year's past, there are two Gospel Readings here.

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness--

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725).


Titus 3:4-7 (NRSV)

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Blog Reflection

Christmas is among the most difficult celebrations to write a good blog post.  Everyone who celebrates this day as the religious holy day that it is, is hearing a lot of what I may write here in their churches.   Others for whom this day is not a religious focus for them, might find my words here to be another Christian trying to ruin their day.  If you are a Christian that opposes the things I have been writing about in this blog for the past four years, this blog post is another opportunity for you to see just how off the left deep end I may have gone.  If you are a Christian who is not so sure of where you are, my blog may add to your confusion.

The Christmas mystery is so full of beauty, celebration, memories both good and bad, that to write about what the Scriptures are about today, seems almost unnecessary.   As usual, I beg to differ.  The mystery of the Word made flesh is always being born a new in us.  Being born again is not a matter of a once in a life time event, it occurs every time Jesus reveals more about Himself to us.  As He draws us closer to His Presence in each other, the Christian Faith becomes a renewed part of how we live, how we talk, and hopefully how we act.

There is little question that there is much darkness in our world.  It is not a darkness that is a matter of physical light vs. blackness of night.  It is an absence of solitude.  A denial of the need to understand one another.  A loneliness experienced because of an emptiness.  A desire to be fulfilled, but, not being validated.
 
I think Mary and Joseph must have felt that darkness, loneliness and desire as they wandered their way into Bethlehem.  A young girl in labor.  A husband, with the duty to protect her and to see the safe arrival of the baby ready to come out, ready or not.  There is no room in the local inn.  There was no telephone or email to search for the nearest hospital, doctor or Super 8 motel.  No grand ball room, or Cathedral church prepared to dance the Christmas night away, after the Child was born.   Those came after, and rightly so.  Returning to the Nativity event, Jesus was born in the midst of confusion, disarray and life's messy moments.  Whether it was a Manger stable or a cave, does not really matter as far as I am concerned.

Composer John Rutter, set to music the beautiful words that Christiana Rossetti wrote about the wonder that happened.

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith the sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and Love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea, and gift and sign.

The Love of God was Incarnate right in the middle of our darkness, loneliness, unfulfilled desire.   The long awaited Messiah came not like a mighty warrior or a King leading armies into battle.  He came as one so small, helpless and vulnerable.  A Child born of a young, poor mother and carpenter of a father.  Into the midst of our human mess.  Yet, He was a King.  He was a ruler.  Yet, He was merciful, loving, accepting, inclusive and He changed the world for all time.

John Rutter set his own poem to beautiful music in the Christmas Lullaby with these words.

Where are His courtiers, and who are His people?
Why does he bear neither silver nor gold?
Shepherds His courtiers, the poor for His people,
with peace as His scepter, and love for His crown.

In our age of billionaires controlling everything from the initial roll out of the Affordable Care Act's web site, keeping back a vote for the thousands who will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month, and food stamps for those who are most vulnerable; Jesus Christ, God's perfect revelation of God's Self is born as one who gives Himself, vulnerable, helpless and yet at the will of His Father.   He comes not to end poverty, injustice or even oppression.  He comes to empower us to do these things, and to walk with us in our efforts. 

If there is one Scripture that I wish were included each year in the Christmas Liturgy it would be 2 Corinthians 8:9.  "For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich."   If I were to reword this to reflect our Christmas meditation, it would read something like this.  "For our generous Lord Jesus Christ though he was rich in that He had everything and could do anything, for our sakes became poor, without anything and could do nothing, so that we who think we can do nothing will know that through Him, we can do just about anything we set our mind to."  Including, but not limited to, bringing the light of truth, the hope of justice, liberty from prejudice and violence all because our Lord Jesus Christ loved us so much, He gave it all up for our salvation.

As we join our church communities, families and friends to celebrate the coming of Christ among us as one like us, let us pray and discern together how we might greet Him on this happy morning, in those who are poor, lonely, disenfranchised and in need of being included. 

May every daughter, son, grand daughter, grand son, step son, step daughter, sister, brother, father, mother, cousin, niece, nephew, etc. be welcomed to our dinner tables regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. 

May every person find a place to receive the Incarnate Word in the Holy Eucharist, and praise God with their voices and lives.

May Christ truly bring peace on earth through our efforts this Christmas Season and all through out the New Year. 

A blessed and holy Christmas Season to you and those whom you love.   And may everyone, because of God's love, be loved today.

Amen.

Prayers

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth
of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully
receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence
behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the
brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known
the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him
perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he
lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever. Amen.   (All Christmas Collects are from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 212, 213).