Christmas II, Dawn 2013, Cross the Divide

Christmas II

Luke 2: 1-20

The middle of the four Gospels, according to Luke in the second chapter.

On the Way to Bethlehem, David Newbatt

Now it came to pass in those days that a proclamation went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone set out to be enrolled, each to the town of his ancestors.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed. And Mary was with child. And it came to pass that while they were there, the time was fulfilled for her to be delivered. And she bore her son, her first-born. And she wrapped him in linen and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks in the night. And an angel of the Lord came upon them [appeared before them] and the light of the revelation of God shone about them. And great fear came upon them [they felt the fear of fears].

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid; for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all men on earth: today is born unto you the Bringer of Healing, in the city of David,

Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a little child wrapped in linen, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly around the angel was the fullness of the heavenly angelic hosts: their song of praise sounded forth to the highest:

Thomas Buchanan Read

God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings peace to men of earth

In whose hearts good will dwells!

And as the angels withdrew from them into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another:

“Let us go to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of the Word that has happened here, which the Lord let be proclaimed.”

And they came hastening, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they made known the Word that was spoken to them concerning this child. [or, When they saw that, they understood what had been told them concerning this child.] And all who heard it were astonished about what the shepherds said.

But Mary treasured [preserved] all these words, pondering them [turning them over] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God to everyone for everything they had heard and seen, which was just as it had been announced to them.

Christmas II, Dawn

December 25, 2013

Luke 2: 1-20

When we were born, we crossed the great divide between heaven and earth. We died out of the realm of the angels, and fell into the material world, the world of death. And the angels mourned their loss of us.

The Christ Child however draws heaven across the divide, onto the earth with him. The angels do not mourn because one of their own disappeared into the far country of death; rather they accompany him, proclaiming:

Virriot (?)

God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings Peace to men of earth

In whose hearts good will dwells.

The light of heaven has descended into the earth night. The open souls of the shepherds, as do ours, receive the good news.

Why doth the sun re-orient take

A wider range, his limits break?

Lo! Christ is born, and o'er earth's night

Shineth from more to more the light!

….

This is the day of Thy dear birth,

The bridal of the heaven and earth,

When the Creator breathed on Thee

The breath of pure humanity.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] Hymn XI From Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405),

Translated by R. Martin Pope.

Christmas Day 2009, Do You Love Me?

Christmas III

John 21: 15-25

(The End of the Four Gospels)

After they had had held their meal together, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others here?

Peter answered, “Lord you know that I am your friend”.

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

And he said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said to him, “Shepherd my young sheep.”

He asked him a third time, “Simon, Son of John, Are you my friend?”

Peter was heartbroken that he could say to him the third time, ‘Are you my friend’, and he answered, “Lord, you know all things; therefore you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Amen the truth I say to you, when you were younger you girded yourself and walked wherever you wished. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and Another will gird you and lead you where you do not wish to go.”

He told him this to indicate the kind of death by which he would bring the divine to revelation. Then he said to him, “Follow me.”

But Peter, turning, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following him. He was the one who had leaned upon his breast at the supper and had asked, “Lord, who is it who betrays you?”  When Peter now saw him, his asked, “Lord, what of this man, what is his task?”

Jesus said to him: If is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path. Follow me…”

From this day the story spread among the brethren that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path.”

This is the disciple who here bears witness to these things and who has written all this. And we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that  Jesus did. If they were to be written down one by one, I do not think that the world itself could contain the books that would have to be written. 

Christmas III, Day

December 25, 2009

John 21:15-25

In this third of the three Christmas Day Services, we hear a reading from the very end of the Gospels. One might say that in this reading, the goal, the aim of Christ’s incarnation lights up, shining from the future into the beginnings.

His disciples had grown to love Him; they had suffered through the apparent loss of Him at His death. And now they are united with Him after his Resurrection. At Christmas we celebrate His birth on earth. This Resurrection is His second birth, His birth out of death.

He holds a conversation with Peter, which is at once deeply intimate and deeply personal. At the same time it is a conversation with the heart of every human being:

“Do you love me?.... If you do, then translate your love for Me into deeds of love for those whom I love.”  For Christ, it is not enough that we return His love. We must multiply it out into the world.  

We have heard: Glory to God in the Heights. And: Peace on earth to men of good will.

Vonesch

Indeed, peace on earth will only come about through good will, a will saturated with love and compassion. Good will starts as a positive inclination in our hearts. It awakens in movement toward others, with others. And then, good will fully exerts itself on earth in actual words and deeds that support others. The poet Hafiz says:

Out

Of a great need

We are all holding hands

And climbing.

Not loving is a letting go.

Listen,

The terrain around here

Is

Far too

Dangerous

For

That.[1]

 www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] “A Great Need”, in The Gift – versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky)

Christmas Day 2010, The Secret Fish

Christmas III

John 21: 15-25

(The End of the Four Gospels)

After they had had held their meal together, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others here?

Peter answered, “Lord you know that I am your friend”.

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

And he said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said to him, “Shepherd my young sheep.”

He asked him a third time, “Simon, Son of John, Are you my friend?”

Peter was heartbroken that he could say to him the third time, ‘Are you my friend’, and he answered, “Lord, you know all things; therefore you know that I am devoted to you.”

Arild Rosenkrantz

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Amen the truth I say to you, when you were younger you girded yourself and walked wherever you wished. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and Another will gird you and lead you where you do not wish to go.”

He told him this to indicate the kind of death by which he would bring the divine to revelation. Then he said to him, “Follow me.”

But Peter, turning, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following him. He was the one who had leaned upon his breast at the supper and had asked, “Lord, who is it who betrays you?”  When Peter now saw him, his asked, “Lord, what of this man, what is his task?”

Jesus said to him: If is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path. Follow me…”

From this day the story spread among the brethren that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path.”

This is the disciple who here bears witness to these things and who has written all this. And we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that  Jesus did. If they were to be written down one by one, I do not think that the world itself could contain the books that would have to be written. 

Christmas III, Day

December 25, 2010

John 21:15-25

We celebrate the birth of God’s overflowing love taking on human form. God’s love focused itself intensely in Christ Jesus. The Christ Child, received in tenderness, cradled in the warmth of His mother’s love, grows. Being human, he will die. And yet something strange will happen: what is inside of Him, God’s overflowing abundance of love for the earth, will turn itself inside out. What is inside the man Jesus, radiating from there out into the world, will after His death surround the world from everywhere—love and strength.

The Child, love incarnate, has become the element of strong love that surrounds us all. Like air, we breathe it in. Like water, we swim in it. It sustains our life.

We are meant to become aware of this flowing invisible element of love that

Christopherus, Eyb

surrounds us. Hence the three questions to Peter—do you love me? We are to breathe in strong love and radiate it out again. With it, we are to nourish and protect those around us. The love we breathe in, the Christ love, we are to transform into deeds of love in support of our fellow human beings, for the earth. As the poet says:

As timely as a river

God's timeless life passes

Into this world. It passes

Through bodies, giving life,

And past them, giving death.

The secret fish leaps up

Into the light and is

Again darkened. The sun

Comes from the dark, it lights

The always passing river,

Shines on the great-branched tree,

And goes. Longing and dark,

We are completely filled

With breath of love, in us

Forever incomplete.[1]

We need a lot of practice, for we are not yet masters of love. But every year we become aware again of our task. Every year, our answer, ‘yes Lord, you know that I love you’, gains in strength.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

[1]  Wendell Berry, “Given”

Christmas Day 2011, New Destination

Christmas III

John 21: 15-25


(The end of the four Gospels)

After they had had held their meal together, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others here?

Peter answered, “Lord you know that I am your friend”.

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

And he said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said to him, “Shepherd my young sheep.”

He asked him a third time, “Simon, Son of John, Are you my friend?”

Peter was heartbroken that he could say to him the third time, ‘Are you my friend’, and he answered, “Lord, you know all things; therefore you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Amen the truth I say to you, when you were younger you girded yourself and walked wherever you wished. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and Another will gird you and lead you where you do not wish to go.”

Arild Rosenkrantz

He told him this to indicate the kind of death by which he would bring the divine to revelation. Then he said to him, “Follow me.”

But Peter, turning, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following him. He was the one who had leaned upon his breast at the supper and had asked, “Lord, who is it who betrays you?”  When Peter now saw him, his asked, “Lord, what of this man, what is his task?”

Jesus said to him: If is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path. Follow me…”

From this day the story spread among the brethren that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path.”

This is the disciple who here bears witness to these things and who has written all this. And we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that  Jesus did. If they were to be written down one by one, I do not think that the world itself could contain the books that would have to be written.

Christmas III, Day

December 25, 2011

John 21: 15-25

If we want to go somewhere, first we have to decide on where that ‘somewhere’ is, decide on a destination. Then we can plan the way there.

This, today’s third gospel reading, may seem an odd choice. We read the traditional story from Luke of the child’s birth at the dawn service. But now, at this third service, we hear a scene from the end of all the gospels. Why?

It is because the birth of the Christ Child is the beginning of a new

Roland Tiller

destination for humankind. We are being shown a particular ‘somewhere’, so that we know where we are going. The journey that begins with angelic choirs and a small child will move, as we all do, through maturing and dying. But that is not the end; it is just the beginning. For after His death, Christ Jesus continues to visit, teach, encourage and strengthen his friends. He is pointing out the pathway we are all meant to tread: the way of learning to love and support the evolving selves of others. We are to feed the lambs, those who are still at the beginning of the journey. We are to guide those who are maturing, and to nourish all.

The particulars of the journey are different for each individual. When Peter asks about the other disciple’s path, he is told to honor his own path, to keep following the Goal of all mankind, the Christ. For Christ will say of Himself, ‘I AM the Alpha and the Omega, World beginning and world goal.’ Rev. 21:6 and Rev 22:13. As the poet says:

A journey can become a sacred thing:

Make sure, before you go,

To take the time

To bless your going forth,

To free your heart of ballast

So that the compass of your soul

Might direct you toward

The territories of spirit….

May you travel in an awakened way,

Gathered wisely into your inner ground;

That you may not waste the invitations

Which wait along the way to transform you.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] John O’Donohue, “For the Traveler”, in To Bless the Space Between Us, p.53

  

Christmas Day 2012, Feed My Lambs

Christmas III

John 21: 15-25

(The end of the four Gospels)

After they had had held their meal together, Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the others here?

Peter answered, “Lord you know that I am your friend”.

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

And he said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said to him, “Shepherd my young sheep.”

He asked him a third time, “Simon, Son of John, Are you my friend?”

Peter was heartbroken that he could say to him the third time, ‘Are you my friend’, and he answered, “Lord, you know all things; therefore you know that I am devoted to you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Amen the truth I say to you, when you were younger you girded yourself and walked wherever you wished. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and Another will gird you and lead you where you do not wish to go.”

He told him this to indicate the kind of death by which he would bring the divine to revelation. Then he said to him, “Follow me.”

But Peter, turning, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following him. He was the one who had leaned upon his breast at the supper and had asked, “Lord, who is it who betrays you?”  When Peter now saw him, his asked, “Lord, what of this man, what is his task?”

Jesus said to him: If is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path. Follow me…”

From this day the story spread among the brethren that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until my coming, that does not affect your path.”

This is the disciple who here bears witness to these things and who has written all this. And we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that  Jesus did. If they were to be written down one by one, I do not think that the world itself could contain the books that would have to be written.

Christmas III, Day

December 25, 2012

John 21: 15-25

Mili Weber

Today we celebrate the beginning of the creation of a new kind of human being. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who housed within Him the Christ, the Being of Love.

This reading from the end of all the gospels reminds us of what happened to that Child; He grew to become a man who gave up the innocence of His life in order to become the first born, not into earthly life, but to become the first born from out of the realm of death. The reading is from after his resurrection. Christ Jesus asks Peter whether he reciprocates Christ’s love for him. Peter is told three times in three different ways how his love for Christ is to blossom outward as deeds of love for others.

 

Every year Christ approaches close to us at this time. We have the chance to hear, from the One whose very Being is sacrificial Love, how we can show our love for Him; how our deeds can become a part of the offering song of the angels; how our deeds can support His work in the world.

Every year, we are given the opportunity to begin again. A new day has begun. And as He says in His ongoing revelation, ‘I am the star whose brightness shines in the morning.’ Rev 22:16 

As one poet says:

…God needs the longing, … we are …dark with farewell, lost in births' secret treasure trove,

Around us already…future moons, suns, and stars blaze in a fiery wreath.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

---

[1] Nelly Sachs (Translated by Ruth and Matthew Mead, in A Book of Women Poets from Antiquity to Now, ed. by Aliki and Willis Barnstone)

Christmas Dawn 2007, His Beams Sing

Christmas II

Luke 2: 1-20

(The middle of the Four Gospels)

Now it came to pass in those days that a proclamation went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone set out to be enrolled, each to the town of his ancestors.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed. And Mary was with child. And it came to pass that while they were there, the time was fulfilled for her to be delivered. And she bore her son, her first-born. And she wrapped him in linen and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks in the night. And an angel of the Lord came upon them [appeared before them] and the light of the revelation of God shone about them. And great fear came upon them [they felt the fear of fears].

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid; for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all men on earth: today is born unto you the Bringer of Healing, in the city of David,

Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a little child wrapped in linen, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly around the angel was the fullness of the heavenly angelic hosts: their song of praise sounded forth to the highest:

He Qi

God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings peace to men of earth

In whose hearts good will dwells!

And as the angels withdrew from them into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another:

“Let us go to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of the Word that has happened here, which the Lord let be proclaimed.”

And they came hastening, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they made known the Word that was spoken to them concerning this child. [or, When they saw that, they understood what had been told them concerning this child.] And all who heard it were astonished about what the shepherds said.

But Mary treasured [preserved] all these words, pondering them [turning them over] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God to everyone for everything they had heard and seen, which was just as it had been announced to them.

Christmas II, Dawn

December 25, 2007

Luke 2. 1-20 

In this early morning tenderness, we can picture the familiar scene: a child, born into lowly circumstances, whose coming is nevertheless announced by the angels themselves; because of course, this is no ordinary child.  Hearing the angels’ words, the shepherds immediately get up to go to see Him who will become the Good Shepherd of all souls. And then out of the fullness of their hearts they speak. They speak first to Mary and Joseph of what the angels said. Then they proclaim what they had heard and seen to everyone else. The coming of the healing Creator-Word filled their human hearts, which overflow in a jubilant revelation of His being.

The dawning of a new Christ-Day, the birth of the Creating Word, fills us with strange joy. What we see and hear and know warms our blood, touches our lips, strengthens our spirit-devotion, until our hearts overflow in poetic words of gratitude and praise:

The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?

My God, no hymn for Thee?

My soul’s a shepherd, too; a flock it feeds

Of thoughts and words and deeds.

The pasture is Thy words; the streams Thy grace

Enriching all the place.

Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers

Out-sing the daylight hours….

I will go searching till I find a sun,

Shall stay till we have done;

…His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine,

Till e'en His beams sing, and my music shine.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] George Herbert, “Christmas”, in Christmas In Art And Song: A Collection of Songs, Carols and Descriptive Poems, Relating To The Festival of Christmas (New York: The Arundel Printing and Publishing Co., 1879). http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/christmas1.htm

  

Christmas Dawn 2008, Light of Love

Christmas II

Luke 2: 1-20

(The middle of the four Gospels)

Now it came to pass in those days that a proclamation went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone set out to be enrolled, each to the town of his ancestors.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. He went to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed. And Mary was with child. And it came to pass that while they were there, the time was fulfilled for her to be delivered. And she bore her son, her first-born. And she wrapped him in linen and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks in the night. And an angel of the Lord came upon them [appeared before them] and the light of the revelation of God shone about them. And great fear came upon them [they felt the fear of fears].

But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid; for I announce to you a great joy, which shall be for all men on earth: today is born unto you the Bringer of Healing, in the city of David,

Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a little child wrapped in linen, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly around the angel was the fullness of the heavenly angelic hosts: their song of praise sounded forth to the highest:

Govert Flinck

God’s Spirit reveals itself in the heights

And brings peace to men of earth

In whose hearts good will dwells!

And as the angels withdrew from them into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another:

“Let us go to Bethlehem to see the fulfillment of the Word that has happened here, which the Lord let be proclaimed.”

And they came hastening, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they made known the Word that was spoken to them concerning this child. [or, When they saw that, they understood what had been told them concerning this child.] And all who heard it were astonished about what the shepherds said.

But Mary treasured [preserved] all these words, pondering them [turning them over] in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God to everyone for everything they had heard and seen, which was just as it had been announced to them. 

Christmas II, Dawn

December 25, 2008

Luke 2: 1- 20

When dawn approaches, we first sense the rising light. It brings us the hope of the banishment of darkness. It is in that pre-dawn twilight that birds begin to sing. But not until the sun has risen do we feel the warmth of its rays caress our skin. Not until the sun actually appears do we receive the warmth of its love. Once touched and warmed, we feel strengthened to move into the day.

At the midnight service we celebrated the hope that arises in human hearts when the darkness lightens. We heard about the offering song of the angels. Now at dawn we hear the words, the lyrics of their song,:

Tom du Bois

The spirit of God reveals itself in the heights

And brings peace to those on earth

In whose hearts good will dwells! Luke 2:14

You will find and know the Child as the bringer of healing! Luke 2:12

And as the shepherds seek and find the Christ Child, their hearts are warmed with love, and they begin their own song. They begin telling the story about the words the angels sang to them, their own offering song. And the Mary soul preserves the whole of it in the warmth of her pondering heart.

Every year it happens again: The Light of Love appears in the realm of earth. We still can hear the offering song of the angels resounding in the heights. We seek the Christ Child, and when we find Him, cradling Him in the warmth of our heart, His healing, warming power touches us, warms our blood, strengthens our will.

Hearing the angels’ song, we join them, offering our words of warmth, our good will deeds and our love along with theirs. For, in the words of the mystic,

He is the One Whose power is stronger

Whose generosity is more abundant,

Whose appearance is more beautiful,

Whose love more tender,

Whose courtesy more gracious, and in

Whose embrace you are already caught up.

Have you noticed?[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] St. Clare of Assisi (1193 – 1254), “The Depth of His Touch”, in Love’s Immensity, Mystics on the Endless Life, by Scott Cairns, p. 84.