Advent has come and gone, Christmas time is here. Do you remember the Charlie Brown Christmas song, "Christmas Time is Here"? Hearing that song with the children's voices is a reminder to me that it IS Christmas time. The picture above is my CD of Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas".
As Advent leaves us and Christmas is upon us, we have the 12 days of Christmas to live into until Epiphany, January 6th. For many, it is all over as soon as December 26th arrives. Yet the magi are still on the backs of the camels, following the star, seeking out the Christ child.
How do we respond when it's all said and done? Are we too exhausted and broke to respond or reflect? One way to truly respond is to live into Howard Thurman's "The Work of Christmas". It is a poem I have already seen going around this year on social media. I have shared it before in sermons and probably in a blog post.
Here is a picture of it:
Here is the poem by Howard Thurman (not inside a photo):
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.
Here are the remaining Advent words for this year, the questions, the pictures I posted, and my reflections.
Today's word is #love. How have you experienced love this Advent season? What does the Incarnate love of Christ mean to/for you? #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #love. On the 4th Sunday of Advent, I am reminded that love came down, was Incarnate, and that we are called to love one another as we have been loved. #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #renew. How are you being renewed this Advent season? What still needs to be renewed? What does the word renew mean to you? #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #renew. I looked up the word for more information. This is what I found from one source: "resume (an activity) after an interruption. "the parents renewed their campaign to save the school" synonyms: resume, return to, take up again, come back to, begin again, start again, restart, recommence; continue (with), carry on (with) "I renewed my search"
During this Advent season, I have been able to renew photography as a contemplative practice, to daily focus more intentionally on a word and my surroundings, to see things with eyes of the heart. This spiritual practice brings me life. #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #birth. At the end of the Advent season, what does birth bring into your faith journey? As you reflect on this word and on the birth of Christ, what is being birthed in your faith journey this year? #adventphoto#holstongap
Today's word is #birth. When I posted the reflection questions for the words, I asked something to the effect: 'what has birthed this Advent season in your life?' As the light of Advent grew this season and I had the opportunity to do some Hispanic ministry in community, one thing that birthed was a renewed hope that God still remembers my heart's desire and my heart language. Whether I use Spanish daily or momentarily, as I did this morning, it touches my soul in a deep place. I remain calm and trust. #adventphoto#holstongap
I bought a set of Advent mugs last Spring/Summer and used them each week. When I first saw these mugs, my immediate thought was Advent. I wasn't sure exactly how I would use them, but they got my attention. Donna Godwin is the artist. Her art page is Donna Godwin Art. I took a mug each Sunday to church. Sometimes I referenced it; sometimes I didn't. I created a wreath at home. The only thing missing is a white mug to be the Christ mug in the middle. I will find one. It was a different way to go through each week this year. Drink hope, drink peace, drink joy, drink love.
A set of Advent mugs. Art by Donna Godwin. Mugs created by Christy Watts Williams.
Advent bulletin covers
Advent and Christmas Eve bulletin covers
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
We went to all three Christmas Eve services in the Holston Georgia Parish this year. Some years we split it up between co-pastors and some years we do them together. The top service is at Simpson UMC, the middle is at Fort Oglethorpe UMC, and the bottom one is at Flintstone UMC. For the past two years at Flintstone, it has been a community service, with churches and pastors from community attending and participating.
Today is the 2nd day of Christmas. How will I take the light of Christmas forward? How will I take the things that I have learned and experienced with me as I continue on this journey?
What about you?
May the peace, hope, joy, love, and light of Christ accompany you on your journey!
Debra
P.S. In case you didn't see the post with the photo for all the challenge words, here is that photo:
Yesterday was a busy and long day for me as a pastor. But it was also a very blessed day. Both services at Fort Oglethorpe and Simpson were a blessing through the music, sharing in Holy Communion, and being in community with the folks at each church there.
Originally, because of Communion and the fact that I knew I needed to get to Simpson afterwards, we had rescheduled the "Special Music" at Fort Oglethorpe for after the sermon. But as the praise team was warming up with "10,000 Reasons" and "Spirit of the Living God", something inside said to switch the special music back to its original place before the sermon. So I did. And I'm glad.
It's one of those God things, too. Pamper wasn't sure why God had given her that particular song to begin with as she didn't see how it fit with the service. But, it did. In fact, it was a powerful song and it fit perfectly. Thank you, Pamper, for listening and following through with obedience!
Here is the song that Pamper played and sang:
"Holy Spirit, living Breath of God" by Stuart Townend and
Keith Getty
HOLY SPIRIT, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause your word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for your purity;
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.
Holy Spirit, come abide within,
May your joy be seen in all I do.
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and word and attitude:
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my strivings into works of grace;
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.
For more Getty music, go to their website by clicking here or by typing in the address: https://www.gettymusic.com/.
Here is the sermon from yesterday. Remember that what is written isn't necessarily what is spoken during the service. Things are changed, either added or taken away or simply said differently. But, the general focus of the message is here.
"Honor the New Born King"
January 3, 2016 (Epiphany)
Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Fort Oglethorpe UMC, Simpson UMC
Matthew 2:1-12
(NRSV)
2 In the
time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise menfrom
the East came to Jerusalem, 2 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.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he
was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling
together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them
where the Messiahwas to be born. 5 They told him,
“In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘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 shepherdmy people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise
menand learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
8 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.” 9 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. 10 When
they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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. 12 And having been
warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by
another road.
Today is Epiphany Sunday. It is also the 10th day of
Christmas and we have just entered a new year, 2016.This Wednesday, we celebrate a special
Epiphany service on Epiphany, a bilingual service in the community of Rossville
at McFarland UMC. There will be food, fellowship, and worship.All are invited.
In addition to where we are on the calendar as church and
society, today as a church family, we have the service of a dear departed one
who has gone home to be with the king of kings and lord of lords, Wilma Scott.
Though a member at Simpson UMC, she often attended Fort Oglethorpe UMC.If you haven't heard, that service is today
at 2pm at Wilson's in Ringgold on Boynton.
How do all these things come together today?
First, let's talk about what Epiphany is-- "Epiphany
is the day and season in the church when we patiently wait and listen as God is
quietly revealed before us once again.[...]
Contemporary observances of Epiphany include the coming of the wise men with
gifts for the Christ child and the baptism of Jesus.The season concludes with Transfiguration
Sunday.Epiphany is the time when the
church gathers to remember and reflect upon the mighty acts of God in the birth
of Christ." (67, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God)
In today's passage, the wise men from the East went to
Jerusalem and asked about the child who was born.They had seen the star rise and followed it
thus far to find the child.Word got to
King Herod and the King summoned the men.Herod used his resources to determine where the baby likely was born,
met with the wise men, and sent them out to find the child and then return to
him because he too would like to pay him homage. If King Herod really wanted to
pay homage to the Christ child, why didn't he take what he learned from his
advisors and travel himself?!But,
this king of the country is feeling threatened by the newborn child that was
prophesied to become king.Notice how he
behaves as he feels that his position is no longer secure.
The wise men get their directional path in Jerusalem and
continue their journey to honor the new born king.When they left Jerusalem and headed toward
Bethlehem, the star they had previously seen was there for them to follow.
Verses 9-11 "9 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. 10 When
they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 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."
The star stopped over where the child was.Child.They were overwhelmed with joy.They had made it to their destination.They entered the house.Notice
"house".Not stable.Then they opened their treasure chests and
offered the gifts they brought him.
How many wise men are there?It doesn't say, does it?!Historically we have narrowed it down to
three, based on the three gifts that are given to the Christ child, but we
really don't know how many there were.And, we tend to focus on them more as "wise men" than
"magi" too.
After the wise men / magi presented their gifts, they went
home by a different route because they had been warned in a dream that Herod's
intentions weren't so noble.
Besides realizing that we tend to condense the entire
nativity scene all into one every year, what can we learn from today's passage?
Each of us may have a different take away today.Maybe we are to pay attention to creation, to
what the Creator tells us in creation.Maybe we are to listen to our dreams and trust our instincts.Maybe we are to be filled with joy along the
journey, especially when we reach milestones of certain destinations.
At Epiphany, we celebrate that the wise men travelled to
honor the new born king and that they brought gifts.These gifts were valuable items: frankincense--incense or perfume; gold-- a
precious metal to represent the title of king; andmyrrh--an anointing oil was used in burial
preparation. As we begin a new year, we recognize that we start
anew.We start fresh with our lives with
Christ, with one another, and with everything.We have the opportunity to allow our relationship with Christ to grow
deeper.How will we honor the new born
king?
Maybe one way to honor Christ this year in our churches
will be to prepare for our dreaming and visioning sessions this month in
January.Read the questions and
pray.Come prepared to share where you
see God at work in the community and how you think we can honor Christ in
serving him.
John Wesley wrote a Covenant Prayer that he used with his
people. Please turn in your hymnals to #607 and read with me: (As we read these
words, let's be intentional in our reading and focus and allow them to
penetrate our hearts, minds, and souls.)
Wesley Covenant Prayer (A Covenant Prayer in the
Wesleyan Tradition)
I am no longer my
own, but thine.
Put me to what
thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing,
put me to suffering.
Let me be employed
by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee
or brought low by thee.
Let me be full,
let me be empty.
Let me have all
things, let me have nothing.
I freely and
heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure
and disposal.
And now, O
glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and
I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant
which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.Amen.
In closing today, hear these
words by Dr. Howard Thurman, aninfluential African
American author, philosopher, theologian, educator and civil
rights leader:
"The Work of Christmas" by Dr. Howard
Thurman (from The Mood of Christmas)
When
the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and the princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, 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 brothers, To make music in the heart.
