Living into Who You Are Created to Be-- last Sunday's sermon

Here is this past Sunday's sermon:  transcript, recording, and bulletin cover.

“Living into Who You are Created to Be”

Luke 4:14-21 (CEB)

January 27, 2019 (3rd Sunday after Epiphany) (youth at Resurrection)

Fort Oglethorpe UMC

Luke 4:14-21 (CEB)

¹⁴ Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. ¹⁵ He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

¹⁶ Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. ¹⁷ The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

¹⁸ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
    because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, 
    to proclaim release to the prisoners 
    and recovery of sight to the blind, 
    to liberate the oppressed, 
¹⁹     and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

²⁰ He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. ²¹ He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”                                                                                                   

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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Two weeks ago we celebrated Baptism of the Lord Sunday, talking about Jesus’ baptism and we remembered that we are baptized with a calling into serving.

Last week’s Scripture passage reminded us that we all have gifts to share from the Holy Spirit.  At the other two churches I reminded them that since I have served this appointment, we have spoken about spiritual gifts quite a bit.  In fact, when I first came in, you all were just starting to study about spiritual gifts and we had several sessions on spiritual gifts, from learning what they are, to learning what ours are by taking a spiritual gifts inventory, to following up with what we do with our gifts once we know what they are.  We’ve had several sermons along the way about them too.

We know that the gifts are given by the Spirit and are for the common good.

Today’s passage shows us Jesus living into who he was and who he was created to be. 

Let’s look at the scene again for a moment and think what it might have been like to be there.

Jesus went into the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read.  The attendant handed him a scroll to read.  Much like we read from the lectionary, they had certain portions of Scripture that were read at different times and seasons.  Jesus read the passage from Isaiah 61 from the scroll. Everyone would have known it well. 

Pastor Ed Visser says this about Jesus reading the scroll: “As we read in this passage, Jesus was in the habit of attending synagogues in Galilee, often being asked to read the Bible and preach. In those days, that entailed reading a prescribed Torah passage & a self-chosen portion from the prophets, all done standing. Then the reader would sit in Moses’ Seat and share what the Scripture meant to him (the sermon).

One Sabbath Jesus was invited to do so in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. We don’t know what the Torah portion was for the day, but Jesus chose to read Isaiah 61:1-2, changing the reading in a couple of important ways: 1) he dropped the last half of Isaiah 61:2, “the day of vengeance of our God”; and 2) he added a phrase from Isaiah 58:6, “to release the oppressed.” 

http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Land_Lessons/Synagogue_ev.html

Jesus made it clear what his mission and calling were.

What about us today?

What is our individual mission and calling?

What is our collective mission and calling as a community of believers?

Can we take the same scroll from Isaiah and apply it today?  Is it still applicable? 

V. 18-- The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 
    because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, 
    to proclaim release to the prisoners 
    and recovery of sight to the blind, 
    to liberate the oppressed, 

As a baptized child of God, remember, the Spirit of the Lord IS upon you.  You are anointed and gifted.  In today’s setting, who are the poor to whom you are called to preach the good news?  Who are the prisoners to whom you will proclaim release?  Who are those that need recovery of sight?  Who are the oppressed?

As you reflect on those questions, what comes to mind?

We are reminded in Luke’s passage that Jesus is called “to be an agent of mercy to the downtrodden in this world: he will be good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight for the blind, freedom for the oppressed.” (Robert M. Brearley, Feasting on the Word, 286)

Just as Jesus was called to be an agent of mercy, so are we.

As we tune our listening to the Holy Spirit to hear what we are called to do, then we can act upon it.  Because we are all gifted by the Holy Spirit, we might be called as a church community to do a multitude of things.

We already know that God has placed ministry in our midst through the opportunity to show hospitality to Son Servants, Weight Watchers, our Cubs and Girl Scouts, the Jam, Line Dancing, the YMCA programs.

In addition to hospitality, we have opportunities to serve through the YMCA with backpack blessings and LINK at the Y. 

Then, there are the shut-ins, our connections with schools…

But, what else has the Holy Spirit given you to do?

Let me share something “else” I feel the Holy Spirit has given me to do.

Last year I had a day apart at Reflection Riding with the SoulCare Project.  Part of my day was silent and solitude, wandering around the property.  I found a bamboo patch.  Inside that patch, it felt like a sanctuary.  Though I didn’t realize the significance of it then, a seed was planted for an outdoor worship service.  Through several situations and conversations, it looks like the Holy Spirit might be opening up the opportunity to try a once a month service outside, for folks who desire to worship the Creator in creation.  I’m still in the discerning process, but I’m also following through with conversations to see if this is truly something that the Holy Spirit is opening up for me as an opportunity in a new way, in addition to the other ways God is nudging me to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“The Holy Spirit gives us something to do for God.” (Robert M. Brearly, Feasting on the Word, 286)

A quote from Tom Harvey, a missionary in Singapore: “Mission catches you up in the life and vitality of God, for it is God who relentlessly draws men and women to himself in love and compassion.  Moreover, when we step away from mission, there is a corresponding depletion of the life and vitality in the church.” (Feasting on the Word, 286)

“How can we know that we have the power of the Spirit?  We know because the Holy Spirit gives us something to do for God, and a time to do it.  There is a sense of urgency in Jesus’ mission.  He finished reading, rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant, sat down, and with all eyes upon him said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”  The time of God’s Holy Spirit is today, right now. 

Only you can use the gift the Holy Spirit has given you.  Therefore, live into who you were created to be, and know that the Holy Spirit will guide you each step of the way.

As we live into the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit, participating in various ministries and activities for the common good of the community, think about what can be accomplished for the kingdom of God.

The potential for kingdom work grows exponentially as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.

May the Holy Spirit guide us as we seek to know our gift, to grow as mature believers, sharing the gifts given to us, so that we can live into the unique person we were created to be. 

May we be disciples of Christ so that we can make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Amen.

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Recorded sermon

May there be something in the Scripture, the transcript, and/or the recording that encourages or challenges you.

May the journey be adventurous,

Debra

Reflections on aging and dying

It has been 5 years since my Meemo passed.

5 years.

In the time she was dying, I posted notes on Facebook.  That was my journaling at the time.  It was all I could do.  I told myself that one day I would reflect more on the process, but I haven't.

At the time she was dying, I was also taking a bioethics class in seminary on aging and dying.  We had to write our own funeral, among other papers.  It was a difficult semester.  Not only did we cover that topic, but we covered TBI--traumatic brain injury, which is also a topic that hits close to home and we were in the midst of some really major stuff with that too.

This year, as my memories came up of my Meemo, they caught my attention and I noted it had been 5 years.  I don't think I saw every single memory from my time with her, but I captured a few of them.

I thought I would share them here.  I started learning how to walk the journey with folks back when I was a lay person at Grace UMC and visited folks in the hospital.  I was visiting with one church member and the chaplain came in.  She told him I was her pastor.  People saw way before I did where I was heading.  Lucy Buckner blessed me in many ways.  From that visit to my grandmother to many since, I have walked with folks who have taught me much about living well, aging well, and dying well.

I am grateful.

As I share my memories of Meemo's last days, I think about my other two grandmothers.  It isn't that I wasn't close with them, but rather I wasn't with them when they passed and they passed much earlier.  I didn't get as much time with either of them.  Meemo  (Ruth Clark DeLoach) was my maternal grandmother.  Nana (Charlotte Pruden PittmanY, my paternal grandmother, passed away in 1988  And then, my step grandmother, which was not really a "step", Erlene,  (Erlene Waldrop DeLoach) died in 1981.

Here are the memories that have shown up recently about Meemo, starting January 11:

January 11, 2014

Spent three hours with Meemo and Mom today in hospital.  Meemo never opened her eyes but a slight slit while I was there.  She did give some body language and a tiny smile.  My brother Guy got her to open her eyes after I left.  But it's all good.  If it is time to go on, okay.  I will continue to enjoy her presence.  Good time with Mom too.  Just being there.  Presence.


January 17, 2014

Spent about 4 hours today with my grandmother and Mom and some time with Dad.  My grandmother was moved two days ago from the hospital to a place right next door to where she lives.  I can see her porch from her new room.  She drinks thickened liquids and prefers plain water, nothing sweetened.  She ate some yogurt, mashed potatoes, some pureed green vegetable, and vanilla pudding today.  For someone who hasn't eaten in a while, that is a buffet!  I got to meet lots of folks.  The chaplain was one of them.He will be bringing his guitar next week.  I should have asked what day.  Meemo told me about finally being able to find her milk that she was looking for last night.  Twice.  Though I'm not sure where that milk was, we had a good conversation with it.  And we talked about other things too.  Physically, she in hanging in and on.  Though she is weak and rests much.  She smiled several times, especially as I reminded her of different things from the past.  Precious moments.  Extremely grateful.

January 21, 2014

This stuff will always remind me of sleepovers at my grandmothers' house when I was younger.  Last week I shared that memory with her.  Each day is another gift of a well lived life and a journey of dying well.  Meemo started coughing today.  I bet she could use some of this tonight.

["This stuff" and "this" refers to Vick's VapoRub and I included a picture of it in my post.  I will add a picture below.]

January 22, 2014

Difficult day to describe hanging out in my grandmother's room.  Two workers sang beautiful harmonized songs acapella.  A huge food cart was brought to us.  Not much reaction from Meemo, though if I could lip read... maybe.  She is definitely near the end of this leg of the journey, yet didn't go on while I was there.  It is beautiful and peaceful except for the labored breathing, for which medical folks administered helpful relief.  Living into the bioethics class and conference this intimately is not what I intended.  My emotions are very close to the surface and I am not wearing my masks... so you are likely to see some breakdowns if you see me... Shalom

In my comments to the post I posted on January 21, I posted this on January 22:

She (Meemo) raised her eyebrows during one time when my brother Guy and I were discussing our memories of her putting the stuff on us.


Meemo passed away on January 22nd, later that night, but after I had left.  Because she donated her body to Emory University, we didn't have a burial until a year later.  However, there was a memorial at her home church on January 31 at Decatur First United Methodist.

Here is the link for her obituary.

I wrote this small section between prior to finding the January 23rd notes below.  I had missed one of my "memories" and went looking for it.  I decided to leave what I wrote above in here.   Reading below, note that I mention that I will write "one day".  Here it is, 5 years later.  I get it.  I still had papers for a bioethics class.  And, if you look at my blog, a 4 year old died later that spring.  There were lots of things going on and it wasn't easy to get the stuff out, to process.  I did process it all, in a sense.  I allowed the brokenness that I experienced to shine the light.  Yet, I didn't put it all together in one place.  It isn't fully complete.  Nor will it ever be.  Yet, the journey process is a tad more sequential here.


January 23, 2014

My Mom called last night at 10:42pm. They had found her (Meemo) in her room, gone. We don't have the exact time, but it's okay. What I thought of is that she was finally able to go home... not to "104 Broad Street" in Statesboro that she wanted two weeks ago and at Christmas, but to her Creator. And, though in my faith tradition, I don't use the term "Beulah Land" often, that came to mind last night. Yesterday was definitely a blessing, even in the difficulty. Two weeks ago was when we gave her permission to go on home when she was in the hospital and she kept on hanging on and rallied significantly on Monday to where she was up in a wheelchair doing exercises and eating. But, that was a gift for my Mom. Yes, I'm sad and I'm having and will have my moments. However, overall, I'm relieved and glad that Meemo is no longer in pain and that she is whole again--mentally, physically, and spiritually. She was the last of my grandparents to remain. And she was a spiritual mentor. She has donated her body to Emory. More to come in a blog one day, but not right away. I have papers to write on the aged and dying for bioethics. Meanwhile, enjoy this song by the Gaither Vocal Band.

After Meemo's passing, I continued on to write those papers for the class.

January 24, 2014

Paper #2 for Bioethics on Aging Well, written!  Still need to write Paper #1 on Euthanasia and dying... and my mission paper.  Then, read what I can of the 2nd book and handful (stackful) of articles.  HOWEVER, space of grace has been offered from profs due to my life situation, so I'm not going to overly stress.  Simply feeling grateful for a night to study.  BUT, NOW to take a break before I pick up the hubby from work at 9pm.  I could clean house, but...

As mentioned above, the memorial service was on January 31 in Atlanta.  That was an adventure due to the ice and snow, but it happened.

We buried Meemo's ashes on January 30, 2016 after getting them back from Emory.

You can read about that here.

For anyone going through the process of watching someone age and die, it isn't easy.  Nor is it easy to process our memories going forward.  Yet, we remember the stories and the person.  We share with others.  We keep our loved ones near to us by sharing.

Processing is a personal journey, whether it is processing grief or any emotion or information.  Allow it to be unique to you.  Go with the ebb and flow.  Ride the waves.  Jump through waves.  Duck underneath them.  Get knocked down and get back up.

It's all part of life.  It's all part of the adventure.

It's good to finally be able to process my grandmother's last days, even if it is 5 years later.

Peace,

Debra

Picture of Meemo used in obituary, from 2000

Meemo as a child on left; top right: me, Meemo, Aunt Vicki, Meemo's bday, then Meemo with me

Sunday's sermon-- One Spirit; Different Gifts

Here is this past Sunday's sermon transcript and the two recordings from the different services.  There is a link to the spiritual gifts inventory assessment too.

“One Spirit; Different Gifts”

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (CEB)

January 20, 2019 (2^nd Sunday after Epiphany)

Flintstone UMC, Simpson UMC

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (CEB)

12 Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be ignorant about spiritual gifts.² You know that when you were Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. ³ So I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. ⁴ There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;⁵ and there are different ministries and the same Lord; ⁶ and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. ⁷ A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. ⁸ A word of wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another according to the same Spirit, ⁹ faith to still another by the same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, ¹⁰ performance of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of the tongues to another. ¹¹ All these things are produced by the one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.                                                                                                           

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THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

THANKS BE TO GOD.                      

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Since I have served this appointment, we have spoken about spiritual gifts quite a bit.  In fact, when I first came in, you all were just starting to study about spiritual gifts and we had several sessions on spiritual gifts, from learning what they are, to learning what ours are by taking a spiritual gifts inventory, to following up with what we do with our gifts once we know what they are.  We’ve had several sermons along the way about them too.

Like many themes in the Scriptures, the gifts given by the Spirit are not something we can talk too often about.  The more we hear about them, the more we learn.  The more we learn about them, the more we can put them into action.

As Paul states in today’s passage, he doesn’t want us to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. (verse 1)  In verses 4-6, he explains that there are many gifts, ministries, and activities, but the same Spirit, Lord, and God: “There are different spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;⁵ and there are different ministries and the same Lord; ⁶ and there are different activities but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.”

He explains that the gifts are for the common good. 

He then goes on to list quite a few gifts in verses 8-10:

*A word of wisdom

*A word of knowledge

*Faith

*Gifts of healing

*Performance of miracles

*Prophecy

*Ability to tell spirits apart

*Different kinds of tongues

*Interpretation of tongues

In verse 11, Paul reminds us once again that the gifts are produced by the one and same Spirit and given to each person.

Not all of the gifts given by the Spirit are listed in this passage.  To get a fuller listing of the gifts, we also have to look at other passages, such as Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11.  Notice that I said “fuller listing” rather than “full listing” because we cannot limit the Holy Spirit, who is alive and working continually.  Jesus reminded the disciples that once he was gone, the Holy Spirit would be sent on his behalf, to teach them. (John 15:26 is one example of this-- ²⁶ “But I will send you the Advocate^--the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.” (NLT))

As you look at different spiritual gifts inventories, you will notice the difference in spiritual gifts that are noted and listed for the inventory purpose.  And because we know that the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through us today, we can be careful to not limit the Holy Spirit, but rather we can be open to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and to work in and through us.

What are we to get from today’s passage?

1. Every person who confesses Jesus as Lord is gifted by the Holy Spirit in some way.

2. All of the gifts from the Holy Spirit are to be used for the common good, for the whole community.

3. All gifts are equal and activated by the grace of God.

 (Feasting on the Word: Year C, Volume 1, Karen Stokes, 256)

This was then, but it is also now.  Do we believe it?  Do we live it? 

Think about the variety of ministries and activities you participate in.  Now think about that multiplied by each person here.

As we live into the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit, participating in various ministries and activities for the common good of the community, think about what can be accomplished for the kingdom of God.

The potential for kingdom work grows exponentially as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.

Often, it is simply learning what our gift is that opens the door to using it.

Sometimes our gifts are lying in wait, for us to take a chance, a risk, a step and use that gift.

If you haven’t thought about your gift, often someone else can point it out to you as they notice it in you.  Has anyone ever told you that you sent a timely note, made a timely call or that you have the gift of encouragement?  Listen to those observations. 

As you listen to the observations of others, listen to the Holy Spirit, take an inventory, then you will be able to discern what gift is yours to share in the kingdom work for the common good of others.

We learn the purpose of the gifts in Ephesians 4:12-13: “¹² His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ ¹³ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ.”

The gifts that the Holy Spirit gives each one of us is meant to serve and build up the body of Christ, helping us grow into mature believers.

If we are on that path already, then that is great.

If we aren’t, then what can we do differently?

First, make sure we know what our gift is and use it for the building up of the kingdom.

We can also pray.  We can pray that God molds us and makes us into a more united, a more mature body of Christ that uses the given gifts for the common good.

If you haven’t done a spiritual gift inventory in a while, you can take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment offered by the UMC.  There are 21 questions.  http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/spiritual-gifts-online-assessment

Once you’ve taken the assessment, share your findings with one of the pastors, your prayer partner, your Sunday School class.

If you want/need more information on your particular spiritual gift, we will help you find it.

Remember that you have been given a gift to be shared. 

As each of us shares the gift given to us by the Holy Spirit for the common good, the body of Christ will be built up.  It will grow in maturity.

This past week, the renown poet Mary Oliver passed away at age 83.  She had a gift of being able to speak into lives with her words through her poetry.  In her poem, “The Summer Day”, a line that has spoken to many is the final line: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

We each have something to contribute, a gift given to us by the Holy Spirit, for the common good of community.

As we contemplate our gifts and how we might use them for the good of the kingdom and the glory of God, hear this short Mary Oliver poem entitled “The Gift”. 

Be still, my soul, and steadfast.

Earth and heaven both are still watching

though time is draining from the clock

and your walk, that was confident and quick,

has become slow.

So, be slow if you must, but let

the heart still play its true part.

Love still as once you loved, deeply

and without patience.  Let God and the world

know you are grateful.

That the gift has been given.

May the Holy Spirit guide us as we seek to know our gift, to grow as mature believers, sharing the gifts given to us. 

May we be disciples of Christ so that we can make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Amen.

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At Flintstone UMC, we sang "Holy Spirit, Rain Down" by Hillsong.

As I was leaving to head to Simpson UMC, they were singing "Spirit Song", UMH 347.

Recording from Flintstone UMC
Recording from Simpson UMC

May there be something here in the Scripture passage, the transcript, the recordings, and/or the songs that speaks to you.

Adventures in the journey!

Debra

Wild-- my word for 2019.

I have not ever picked a word for a year. This year, a word picked me.

Wild.

I realized that some things were coming together that both had "wild" in it.

This mushroom caught my attention the other day. It was unusual. It was special. It was an excellent looking fungi, to me. It was wild.  Creation has a way of capturing my attention.

I am attending Wild Goose for the first time this summer.

And, then, today things worked out for me to attend a Wild Church Network retreat for 3 days in June.

Wild.

What will this mean? I don't know. Yet, I look forward to the unfolding.

But, in looking at the definition of "wild" from Cambridge online, this caught my attention:

"slang Wild also means excellent,special, or unusual:

The music they play is just wild.

Your wildest dreams are your hopes or thoughts about the best things that could happen in your future:

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win."

Excellent, special, unusual.

Dreams, hopes, thoughts.

2019, I am looking forward to the wild journey and adventure ahead.

Let's do this.

Debra

The Work of Christmas-- on the 8th day

For several years I have seen, read, quoted, and shared Howard Thurman's poem "Now The Work of Christmas Begins":

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.

Last year, I found a book by Bruce Epperly written in 2017 entitled The Work of Christmas: The 12 Days of Christmas with Howard Thurman.  I forgot I had it until today.  I pulled it off the shelf and turned to today, January 1, the 8th day of Christmas.

Here are some nuggets that I read that caught my attention.

The Scripture for this chapter is Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV).

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

23 “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

A quote by Howard Thurman: "The true meaning of Christmas is expressed in the sharing of one's graces in a world in which it is so easy to become callous, insensitive, and hard. Once this spirit becomes part of a [person]'s life, every day is Christmas and every night is freighted with the dawning of fresh, and perhaps holy, adventure." (62)

"Christmas calls us to follow our highest and best versions of ourselves in our daily lives, occupations and avocations, and citizenship. It asks that we set aside selfishness and reach out, past our differences, offering love, forgiveness, and healing to every situation we encounter." (62-63)

"Joseph shows us the incarnation of graceful relatedness. He lives with his uncertainty, trusting God's wisdom and gracefully honoring his relationship with Mary, regardless of the baby's origins." (64-65)

"With the birth of a new year, we can make a commitment to live as if "every day is Christmas." We can embrace the coming of a new year as an invitation to holy adventure.  God wants us to be large-souled people, living by grace and giving by grace, as we let the joy of Christmas guide us the whole year long." (65)

These last three lines really speak to me.  What if I live into this new year as if it were a holy adventure?  What if I become a large-souled person who lives and gives by grace?  What if I let the joy of Christmas guide me all year long?   How would this impact my year?  How would it impact me?  How would it impact others?

At the end of the chapter, there is a Christmas practice and a Christmas prayer.  I will share the prayer that is found on page 66:

"A Christmas Prayer"

Holy God, let me in the New Year give your grace to those near to me and share grace in my relationships. Let me be your companion in healing, one act at a time, bringing joy and light to the darkness and love to the lost in our midst, whether they are powerful or weak, wealthy or poor. In Christ's Name.  Amen.

I recommend this little book by Bruce Epperly.  In the introduction he writes, "During the twelve days of Christmas, our goal is to experience God's gentle providence despite the temptation to close our hearts in a world too often characterized by racism, sexism, polarization, nationalism, and exclusion.  This is the work of Christmas, the growing edge that lures us toward God's realm of truth, beauty, and love." (16)

As you embark on this new year, may it be a holy adventure!

Debra