- 18
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- 2023
December 1, 2023
The Sixteenth Day of Advent
Each day I light the candles on the Advent wreath I think of those of you walking through Advent with me, and it brings me great joy. The closer we get to the date we celebrate The Birth my heart opens to the young woman who said, “yes.” And this “yes” was not to something simple, or merely challenging. She said, “yes” to the angel of God, Gabriel. And we are told she also added, let it be done unto me according to thy will. Wow! When I was a child I remember thinking, of course I would say yes. Who wouldn’t? But that child me did not yet know that in saying yes, Mary was risking everything, all she knew. She was giving all of her. Now, many decades later I know what her yes meant, and it draws me to my knees in wonderment and awe of what she was so willing to do, to say, so that it might be so.
On this sixteenth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:18-20.
The Reading
December 18, 2023
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.” Isaiah 32:18-20.” Isaiah 32:18-20
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December 17, 2023
The Fifteenth Day of Advent
Well, we have reached the third Sunday in Advent, the halfway mark, the pink candle on the wreath. In many ways this time seems to be moving slowly, still in other ways zipping along, getting away from us. Lighting the third candle always sends my thoughts back to what it must have felt like to wait for The Coming, which was the promise of the prophets, and The Word of God. Those waiting did not wait for a week. They did not wait for months like a mother preparing for birth. They waited for hundreds of years in hope and faith. Honestly it can be so difficult for me to wait for something, especially when it is a something or a someone, I am so eager to see, and be with. It can be difficult for a child to wait for a birthday, or any celebration. But to wait for so long, trusting The One would come, but not knowing when it would occur is a staggering thought, for me, like wandering in the desert. So, we have to stop, and think, when we face challenging times. Is it our time in the desert? Is it our time of preparation for that which is to come? I remember, when I was 11 or 12, I rode the city bus from my home to my school downtown. There was always a bench for waiting so you did not have to stand until the bus arrived. Sometimes, the buses would be running late, and I would get impatient, sitting and waiting. A few times, my patience wore thin, and I would start walking, following the sidewalk, heading downtown on my own. Occasionally it would get hot, or rain would fall, or I would get a nervous feeling about losing my way, until I reached another bus stop and bench, an oasis along my journey. Then, it would not take long for doubt to set in, and I would worry about getting on the wrong bus, ending up in the wrong place. It was in those times I fervently wished I had stayed put on the familiar bench, at the regular bus stop. I wonder how it must have been waiting, and waiting, all those hundreds of years. How often one must have been tempted to lose faith, give up hope! Now, we are in the season of Advent, a time of commemorating the waiting for The Coming, remembering those who did not surrender to doubt, but persevered in faith.
On this fifteenth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:16-17.
The Reading
December 17, 2023
“Justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.” Isaiah 32:16-17
- 16
- Dec
- 2023
December 16, 2023
The Fourteenth Day of Advent
In the last few days, I have been wrapping, not only Christmas gifts, but birthday gifts. Our family has so many December birthdays. And yours might as well. No matter how many boxes you wrap there always seems to be one more needing attention. I have never liked wrapping in a hurry. The wrapping, boxing, or bagging, for me, is an important presentation for the gift you are giving. And it is always fun to make the wrapping unique, a bit like the person, receiving the gift. Yesterday afternoon I was making a nest with tissue paper, in which to rest the gift, inside the box. The recipient’s favorite color is pink, and she has a penchant for bows, and buns, and glitter. So, of course the wrapping would be, just like her, pink, with bows, and buns, and glitter. The gift placed inside did not cost very much at all, but it was exactly what she talked about. So, when the gift was snug within tissue paper, the box closed, and the final touches complete, I smiled. It was just perfect. The packaging resembled her, all the things she liked. I was pleased. It was then the thought occurred to me, in truth it was a waking vision which appeared, telling the story, within a picture, a flash in time. There was a figure, which was blurred by clouds of gold and white. The wrapping of a gift was taking place, complete with paper, ribbons, stickers, pinecones, and many other articles, destined to be used as decoration for the box, which would hold the gift. There was a dizzying array of items set all around, and I wondered what would happen next. But the entire field of vision changed to clouds of gold and white, illuminated by The Light behind them. Then came the whisper. “Think of your earthly body as the box I decorated to be like you, making sure to include the things you like to do, the things which make you, you. You are the box. You are the determining factor when it comes to the decorations. But the gift, from Me to you, is nestled carefully, lovingly, within the package, that is you. My gift to you is all you need, held within you. It is there you are to look for the treasure I give unto you.” Thank each of you for coming on this Advent journey with me. You have made this season spark with life, and love, unique in every way. Thank you.
On this fourteenth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 32:4.
The Reading
December 16, 2023
“The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.” Isaiah 32:4