4th Advent 2010, Free Courage

4th Advent

Luke 1: 26-38

He Qi

During the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a maiden engaged to a man named Joseph of the descendants of David, and the maiden’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said toward her, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was she was confused at those words, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the most High,

And the Lord your God will give him the Throne of David your father.

And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

And his kingdom will have no end. “

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have never known a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her,

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

And for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your kinswoman Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For no word is spoken in the worlds of the spirit that does not have the power to become reality on earth.”

 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the Lord’s handmaid; may it be to me according to your word. “

And the angel departed from her.

4th Advent Sunday

December 19, 2010

Luke 1: 26 – 38

Today we hear the story of the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would bear the Christ Child. Here is a poem by Denise Levertov, which draws a parallel to our own lives:

We know the scene: the room, variously furnished,

almost always a lectern, a book; always

the tall lily.

                   Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,

the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,

whom she acknowledges, a guest.

But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions

courage.

                  The engendering Spirit

did not enter her without consent.

Birth of the Light, Roland Tiller

                                            God waited.

She was free

to accept or to refuse, choice

integral to humanness.

         

Aren’t there annunciations

of one sort or another

in most lives?

                   Some unwillingly

undertake great destinies,

enact them in sullen pride,

uncomprehending.

             More often

those moments

     when roads …

     open …

are turned away from

in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair

and with relief.

Ordinary lives continue.

                                 God does not smite them.

But the gates close, the pathway vanishes.

        ….

Called to a destiny more momentous

than any in all of Time,

she did not quail,

                          only asked

a simple, 'How can this be?'

and gravely, courteously,

took to heart the angel’s reply,

perceiving instantly

the astounding ministry she was offered:

to bear …

Infinite weight and lightness; to carry

in hidden, finite inwardness,

…Eternity; to contain

in slender vase of being,

the sum of power –

in narrow flesh,

the sum of light…. [i]

May we, too, be engendered by the Spirit, so that the Christ Child can be brought to birth within us.  May we too gravely, courteously, courageously accept the destiny invitations whispered to us by angels.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[i] Levertov, “Annunciation”, after ‘Hail, space for the uncontained God’, From the Agathistos Hymn, Greece, 6^th century.

  

4th Advent 2011, Angelwards

4th Advent

Luke 1: 26-38

During the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a maiden engaged to a man named Joseph of the descendants of David, and the maiden’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said toward her, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was she was confused at those words, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Martin Schongauer

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the most High,

And the Lord your God will give him the Throne of David your father.

And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

And his kingdom will have no end. “

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have never known a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her,

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

And for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your kinswoman Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For no word is spoken in the worlds of the spirit that does not have the power to become reality on earth.”

 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the Lord’s handmaid; may it be to me according to your word. “

And the angel departed from her.

4^th Advent

December 18, 2011

Luke 1:26-38

Besides our earthly mother and father, we each have another set of parents. Our other mother is the earth. From her substance we have built the house of our body. And we have a ‘sky father’ who has sent our spirits down to be housed in the body. And to accompany us, the Father has sent with us a constant companion. This companion, who is ever with us, who is ever awake, ever inspiring us, suggesting, whispering to us, is our own angel.

This angelic companion has been with us forever. It carries the book of our life, with the arc of the storyline we decided to write, its chapters our many lifetimes, both past and future. Our angel is our guide and companion; it has joined its own destiny inextricably to ours.

Not all of us have as dramatic an angelic encounter as Mary does in the gospel reading. Nevertheless Gabriel’s words are echoed by our own angel, who whispers to us: ‘the Lord is with you! The Holy Spirit will come upon you.’ Luke 1:28 and 35

It is up to us to create the inner quiet, the moments of openness. It is up to us to awaken, to listen, to notice, so that it can indeed happen. ‘For no word is spoken in the world of the spirit that does not have the power to become reality on earth.’ Luke 1:37

The angel in you

Rejoices over

Your light

Weeps over your darkness

Out of his wings whisper

Words of love

Poems, tender affection

He watches over

your path

Direct your step

Angelwards.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] Rose Auslander. “ The Angel in You”

  

4th Advent 2013, Create a New World

4th Advent

Luke 1: 26-38

During the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a maiden engaged to a man named Joseph of the descendants of David, and the maiden’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said toward her, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was she was confused at those words, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

Fra Angelico

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the most High,

And the Lord your God will give him the Throne of David your father.

And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

And his kingdom will have no end. “

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have never known a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her,

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

And for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your kinswoman Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For no word is spoken in the worlds of the spirit that does not have the power to become reality on earth.”

 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the Lord’s handmaid; may it be to me according to your word. “ And the angel departed from her.

4^th Advent

December 22, 2013

Luke 1: 26-38

In today’s reading we hear of an act of conception: the Holy Spirit descends upon the open soul; the dynamic creative power of the Most High surrounds her in a radiant cloud. And her offspring is called Son of God.

We too are involved in an ongoing act of conception. Invisible to most, angels hover around us. A spirit of wholeness wishes to descend upon open souls. The creative power of the Most High wishes to work in us.  FOR WE ARE TASKED WITH CREATING A NEW WORLD. Working with angelic hierarchies, we are to bring into being offspring that will populate a new heaven and a new earth.

The Act of Consecration of Man is the archetype of just such an act of conception. We open ourselves to the message of the angels; we receive a spirit of healing and peace. Our actions for this hour are guided by the divine world. Working together with divine beings, with Christ and the Father, we are creating eternal offspring that will live into the next age.

What we do here, what we do whenever we act out of the spirit of wholeness and peace, may be largely invisible. But its effects are more real, more lasting, of greater significance than most of what we see around us. For what we are generating is the future of the earth. For the poet says:

To remember

The Awakening, Thomas Cooper Gotch

the other world

in this world

is to live in your

true inheritance.

….

Now, looking through

the slanting light

of the morning

window toward

the mountain

presence

of everything

that can be,

what urgency

calls you to your

one love?  What shape

waits in the seed

of you to grow

and spread

its branches

against a future sky?[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] David Whyte, What to Remember Upon Waking, in House of Belonging. Picture: The Awakening, Thomas Cooper Gotch

4th Advent 2012, Impending Birth

4th Advent

Luke 1: 26-38

Thomas Cooper Gotch

During the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a maiden engaged to a man named Joseph of the descendants of David, and the maiden’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said toward her, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was she was confused at those words, and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the most High,

And the Lord your God will give him the Throne of David your father.

And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;

And his kingdom will have no end. “

And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have never known a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her,

 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

And for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your kinswoman Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For no word is spoken in the worlds of the spirit that does not have the power to become reality on earth.”

 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the Lord’s handmaid; may it be to me according to your word. “

And the angel departed from her. 

4^th Advent

Mary and Elizabeth, the Visitation, unknown

December 23, 2012

Luke 1 39-56

The very approach of those souls not yet born works upon those with whom they are connected. They bring their parents together in love. Their impending arrival brings joyful anticipation. Their prenatal movements inspire joy and wonder.

Even before the Jesus child is born, his nearness affects those around Him. He brings together in a mood of service the two mothers, Mary and Elizabeth. He quickens John with joy in the womb.

So too in our lives; every year Christ draws especially near to us at this season. In the words of His mother, ‘Goodness and mercy springs new in His heart.’ Luke 1:54

The impending birth of Christ within our souls inspires us. We are prompted to support others in service. Christ’s nearness arouses our awe and our love. Our own quiet joy can enliven others. For ‘He bears us through all ages of the earth.’ Luke 1:55

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www.thechristiancommunity.org

3rd Advent 2007, Dawn Chorus

3rd Advent

1 Thessalonians, 5, 1-8, 23, 24

About time spans and right moments, dear brothers, I have no need to write to you. You know very well yourselves that the Breaking of the Day of Christ comes like a thief in the night. When people say, ‘Now peace reigns, and all stands secure, then suddenly catastrophe breaks upon them, like the birth pangs of a woman with child, and there will be no escape for them.

You, however, dear brothers, are not to remain in darkness, so that the breaking of day will not surprise you like a thief. For you are sons of light and sons of the day. Our being is not filled with night and darkness. So let us not sleep like the others, but rather cultivate an alert and sober state of mind. Those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk are likewise of nightly nature. But since we belong to the brightness of day, let us be sober, clothed with the breastplate of faith and love, our head armed [protected] with the hope of healing….May God himself, however, the source of all Peace, hallow and heal your whole being. May your complete and undivided being,

Spirit

Soul, and

Body

remain pure and unclouded at the coming in the spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. You may trust in him who calls you. He it is who also lets you reach the goal. 

Elisabeth Carolan

3^rd Advent Sunday

December 16, 2007

1 Thessalonians 5.1-8, 23, 24

If at the right time of year one were to awaken well before dawn, say at 4 a.m., and go out into a wooded area, one would experience one of nature’s wonders: a symphony of birdsong, call and response, heralding the coming of the sun. Each bird is already awake; together they are the choir hailing the breaking of a new day.

We are now in the darkness of deep earth-night. But we are approaching a new dawn. Though it is yet dark, Paul urges us to be awake as we prepare to accompany the coming of the Day-Star. We are to be alert and sober in self-control. Through the closeness of the light of His return, our being aware of the coming light will fill us with an overflowing abundance of heart’s love. Loving kindness will spill out of our hearts like birdsong before dawn. Our thoughts are to be filled with the sure hope of healing that comes to mankind through the nearness of Christ. We will become those of warm and active good will. As we work together for Christ, in His light, earth itself will be healed.

Stones are longing for what you know…

Now awake, dear pilgrim…

Now awake with your love for the Friend and Creation….

We are companions on this earth

As the sun and planets are in the sky….

This love you now have of the Truth

Your joys and sufferings on this arduous path

Are lifting your worn veil like a rising stage curtain…

So that you can guide this world…

In the hidden Choir

God and His friends will forever

Conduct.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] Hafiz, “They Call You to Sing,” in Tonight the Subject is Love, Daniel Ladinsky, p. 42.

3rd Advent 2008, Living Green

1 Thessalonians, 5, 1-8, 23, 24

About time spans and right moments, dear brothers, I have no need to write to you. You know very well yourselves that the Breaking of the Day of Christ comes like a thief in the night. When people say, ‘Now peace reigns, and all stands secure, then suddenly catastrophe breaks upon them, like the birth pangs of a woman with child, and there will be no escape for them.

You, however, dear brothers, are not to remain in darkness, so that the breaking of day will not surprise you like a thief. For you are sons of light and sons of the day. Our being is not filled with night and darkness. So let us not sleep like the others, but rather cultivate an alert and sober state of mind. Those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk are likewise of nightly nature. But since we belong to the brightness of day, let us be sober, clothed with the breastplate of faith and love, our head armed [protected] with the hope of healing….May God himself, however, the source of all Peace, hallow and heal your whole being. May your complete and undivided being,

Spirit

Soul, and

Body

remain pure and unclouded at the coming in the spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. You may trust in him who calls you. He it is who also lets you reach the goal. 

3^rd Advent Sunday

December 14, 2008

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8, 23, 24

The arrival of storms darkens the skies. But there are moments when the ever-present sunlight breaks through. And then, if we look for it, the rainbow with its seven colors glistens against the backdrop of darkness.

In ancient India, the god Indra used the rainbow to slay the serpent demon god. Later, in the Gilgamesh epic, the rainbow’s colors glisten in the fountain of life beside the tree of Immortality. And of course in Hebrew tradition, Jahwe places the rainbow spanning the heavens as a promise of future salvation.

The rainbow’s placement in the sky, and our delight in its ethereal colors make it seem more related to the human soul than to the earth. In the soul there also lives a rainbow of many colors. The outermost color, red, is the color of loving warmth, of courage, and of strength of will. At the other side, the innermost color is a barely visible royal purple, the color of the regal heights that the human being can and will attain in the future. It is the color of our innermost trust and faith in what is to come.

The Transfiguration

And in the center, at the heart of the rainbow, is the living green, the color of balance and of hope, the color of the Christ.  Our souls move through the colors. Starting with Christ’s living, balanced hope of green we can move out into the world with love and courage. And we can also move from hope’s green toward the inner depths from which our souls evolve toward the future. We will make it; we will move into the future; we will evolve. The rainbow is the seal of God’s promise.  For planted in the deep purple of the soul are the seeds of our future selves. In patient trust we can know that one day these seeds of our future humanity will sprout into the living green of the tree of immortality.

God placed the rainbow in the sky to remind all of mankind to abide in hope, especially in dark stormy times. The rainbow of the soul conquers the dragon of fear. And sometimes, up in the sky, we can all catch a glimpse of the colored halo of Him who was, who is, and who is to come.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

3rd Advent 2009, Birthing Christ

3rd Advent

1 Thessalonians, 5, 1-8, 23, 24

Sulamith Wulfing

About time spans and right moments, dear brothers, I have no need to write to you. You know very well yourselves that the Breaking of the Day of Christ comes like a thief in the night. When people say, ‘Now peace reigns, and all stands secure, then suddenly catastrophe breaks upon them, like the birth pangs of a woman with child, and there will be no escape for them.

You, however, dear brothers, are not to remain in darkness, so that the breaking of day will not surprise you like a thief. For you are sons of light and sons of the day. Our being is not filled with night and darkness. So let us not sleep like the others, but rather cultivate an alert and sober state of mind. Those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk are likewise of nightly nature. But since we belong to the brightness of day, let us be sober, clothed with the breastplate of faith and love, our head armed [protected] with the hope of healing….May God himself, however, the source of all Peace, hallow and heal your whole being. May your complete and undivided being,

Spirit

Soul, and

Body

remain pure and unclouded at the coming in the spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. You may trust in him who calls you. He it is who also lets you reach the goal.

3^rd Advent

Sulamith Wulfing

December 13, 2009

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-8 and 23, and 24

 “When people say, ‘Now peace reigns and all stands secure’, then suddenly catastrophe breaks upon them, like the birth pangs of a woman with child….” 1Thessalonians 5:3

Since the beginning of mankind, the birth of the new has been accompanied by pain. The Lord said to Eve, the mother of all life, that in pain she would bring forth children.  Genesis 4:16. This is usually heard as a curse, a punishment; but if we were to think about it a bit further, we may come to hear it rather as a promise: that pain will bear fruit. When we are in pain, we are also in the process of bringing something, someone, to birth.  When pain and catastrophe break into our lives, what is it that is trying to be born?

What is trying to be born is the Light, the Daylight of Christ. This is the Light that nourishes and supports life; it is the Light of His Love. His Light of Love shines before us on our path, showing us the way toward wholeness and healing.

This is the birth toward which we are all laboring. To help us to do so, we surround ourselves, clothe our hearts, in trust and in love. We keep our thoughts directed toward the goal of humankind’s wholeness and healing. We concentrate, attend to the birth of the Christ in us, through us. For humanity is the woman giving birth to the Christ.