Holy Innocents' Day and the children of Newtown

Last night we observed the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This is the day in the church calendar when we remember the innocent children that King Herod slew in his attempt to get rid of the baby Jesus. The image above shows the angels carrying the children to heaven while Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to safety in Egypt.

We observed Holy Innocents' Day in remembrance of the twenty children who died in the Newtown, CT, shootings. We lit a candle for each of them and read their names aloud. Our whole nation feels grief over the loss of these children because they are innocent victims, just like the children of Bethlehem who died under King Herod.

We prayed for all innocent victims throughout the world, remembering refugees, victims of child abuse, human slavery, and famine. The following Collect is for Holy Innocents' Day;

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.

How still we see thee lie

On the first Christmas eve, the world lay in silence and stillness. May today and tomorrow bring you a deep sense of peace and interior quietness as Christ is born in your heart. Merry Christmas!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, when we remember Mary who carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. Her pregnancy reminds us that Christ is within us waiting to be born. Advent is our time of preparation and waiting.

Looking for the glory of God

The glory of God fills the universe, and it's all around us, everywhere. The quote from Irenaeus, above, reminds us that when we are fully alive, we manifest God's glory to those around us.

Doubt and belief

Sometimes events may make us doubt the existence of a loving God. But we remember that when the disciple Thomas doubted, Jesus made accommodation for him and returned to assure him of the resurrection. Doubt and belief are often woven together.

Mary's song of praise

The Magnificat is one of the greatest expressions of the exaltation of the human spirit. Read it and be thrilled with Mary's joy.

  The Song of Mary Magnificat
  Luke 1:46-55

  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
      for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. 

  From this day all generations will call me blessed: * 

      the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
  He has mercy on those who fear him *
      in every generation.
  He has shown the strength of his arm, *
      he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
  He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
      and has lifted up the lowly.
  He has filled the hungry with good things, *
      and the rich he has sent away empty.
  He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
      for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
  The promise he made to our fathers, *
      to Abraham and his children for ever.

Lighten your load

The season of Advent invites us to consider what we might let go of to make our life simpler and fuller. How can you lighten your load?

Pray for peace on earth

The Christ in those around us

When we see Christ in those around us, it helps us treat them with love and respect. Look for the best in people, especially in this season of family and friends.

Rejoice!

Today's Epistle says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." God is at work all around us, if we will only look.

The gift of music

Music is God's language, the language of prayer, and the expression of the heart. "Those who sing, pray twice," as John Wesley said.

Keeping a list

Experienced prayer people know that keeping a list of people and concerns to pray for provides some structure and regularity to our daily prayers. Try it and see.

Living out our faith in the world

 John the Baptist gave people simple, direct applications for their lives.  How does your faith in God affect the way you live your daily life?

Gratitude

Stop for a moment and think of five things you're grateful for:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

To know God's creation

Today's Advent calendar reminds me of the lovely poem by Joyce Kilmer that I first heard in elementary school.

Trees 

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
 
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
 
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
 
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
 
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
 
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

A quiet place

Advent is a good time to think about your own quiet place. Is there a place you can go to find some quiet? Maybe a corner of a room, or a nook where others leave you alone. Maybe your car. Or the bathroom. It's good to have a quiet place.

Ten spiritual practices for a peaceful Christmas

I think of John the Baptist as our conscience. Our conscience is that little voice in the back of our minds that tells us what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes we need to listen carefully to our conscience.

Our consciences can help us through the holiday season. The Rev. Rachel Tabor-Hamilton, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, wrote a list of Ten Spiritual Practices Toward a Peaceful Christmas on her blog, which you can find by clicking here. Here are the ten practices with a brief explanation:

1. Acknowledge your feelings.

This time of year can bring out buried feelings of grief, disappointment and loss. Listen to your emotions.

2. Reach out. 

If you feel lonely, seek out the community of others in a way that helps you feel connected.

3. Be realistic.

Try to leave perfectionism behind. Keep the traditions you cherish and let the others go.

4. Set aside differences.

Try to accept people as they are and give yourself an escape hatch when things get stressful.

5. Budget. 

Be a good steward of the resources you have, and don’t overspend. Keep the spirit of the season and don’t get caught up in material things.

6. Plan ahead. 

Decide what’s important to do, plan for it and resist the temptation to take on extra things.

7. Learn to say a holy, healthy “no.”

Saying “yes” when you mean “no’ can lead to burnout, resentment and stress. “No” can be liberating.

8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. 

Overindulgence leads to stress and then, later, guilt. Get the right amount of sleep, exercise and food.

9. Relax. 

If it’s really a holiday, shouldn’t we have some quiet, restful time to enjoy it? Take the time you need.

10. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. 

If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself overwhelmed by the stress of the season, seek out the help of a qualified counselor or therapist.

God loves a light heart

Advent isn't a little Lent, and it's not meant to be penitential. What is it that lifts your spirit today?

This is the Lord speaking!

The wilderness seems to be a favorite place in the Bible for the Word of God. The literal wilderness as well as our inner wilderness. How does God speak in your wilderness?

The real St. Nicholas

Today is the feast day of Nicholas of Myra, a bishop who lived in the fourth century in what is now Turkey. Serving the poor among us seems like a good way to honor this ancient saint.

Hold on to what is good

Sometimes in life it seems like everything is changing underneath our feet. Our world changes so fast that it's important to hold on to what is good. This Advent, remind yourself of the things that give you stability and strength, the truths that have guided you all your life, and the people who have always been there for you.

Hold on to your life.

Happy New Year!

Do I have ten minutes in the day for prayer? Probably. I can squeeze ten minutes in somewhere. How about ten minutes with the Bible? Ten minutes of soul time, twice a day. It's possible.

Now where did I put that Bible...?

This year we'll be reading through the Gospel of Luke in the Sunday readings. Grab your Bible and take a peek at Luke. A few pointers:

• The author is presumed to be Luke the Physician, a companion of Paul and also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles.
• Luke contains the beautiful Christmas story of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the angels.
• Luke portrays women sympathetically.
• The Holy Spirit is a strong presence in the Gospel of Luke.
• Luke often shows Jesus at prayer, especially before important events.

Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent!

This is the First Sunday of Advent, and as a way to observe this season, I'm going to post a panel of our Advent Calendar each day. I like the heading on the calendar that says, "Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent!" That seems like a good way to start this time of waiting and expectancy.

Happy Advent!

Bill

Update on our property search

A lot has been happening on our property search. After our October 30 parish meeting, we made an offer to the owner of the property we're hoping to buy, considerably under the listing price. After a long time, we got a counteroffer which kept the price at the same level and added more conditions.

So we're trying to negotiate another offer, hoping that we can come to an agreement that will satisfy everyone. We've obtained two comparative market analyses to get a better picture of the value of the property. At our BC meeting last night, we agreed to get an appraisal so we have an even better idea.

I've been in conversation with Bill Goodenough, the property manager for the diocese. The Board of Directors, understandably, wants to know we've done our homework, so I've been providing them with information about projected costs and the viability of getting a conditional use permit from the county.

It's all a lot of work, and it takes considerable time and focus. When I get anxious about the process, I try to remember that if this is God's will, then the doors will open and it will work out. If it doesn't, then something else will. So I try to leave the outcome in God's hands.