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

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[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.

Christmas Dawn 2009, Morning Star

Christmas II

Luke 2: 1-20

Now is proclaimed the [middle of the Gospel[s], according to Luke in the second chapter.

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:

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, 2009

Luke 2, 1-20

In night’s darkness we struggle to see. We wrestle perhaps with fears, in fitful sleep. But at last the dawn arrives. We feel an opening, surrounded by the light of a tender hope.

The dawn breaks in the East afar

I welcome Thee, my morning star

Give us thy light, I ever pray

Or we shall still in darkness stay. ….

Our hope quells our uneasiness, and brings us a measure of peace.

The birth of the Christ Child arrives like a new dawn for humanity. The inner soul darkness and fear give way to the peacefulness of hope, as we regard the tiny child. For He is the reassurance and promise of God’s love.

God’s Word, our morning star Thou art;

We cannot live from Thee apart.

Drive out the power of darkness bold,

That love in us shall ne’er grow cold. [1]

And therein lies the promise of peace on earth—that we take this Child into our hearts; that we learn to live connected with Him; that we radiate His love out into the world. Our hope of peace on earth rests on one single foundation: that His love, working in and through us, not be allowed to grow cold.

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] “The Dawn Breaks”, author unknown.

Christmas Dawn, 2010, The Weight is 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:

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, 2010

Luke 2: 1-20

The mother gazes down at her little one. She cradles his weight in her arms. The child reaches up, its hand touches her mouth. She kisses the little fingers and speaks to him of her love: with all my heart, she says, I promise you that I will nourish and protect you. They are surrounded by a tender warmth and light.

Such is the experience of every mother and her newborn.

Today another child is being born. This child is love incarnate, born eternally, born to us. We bear his weight. He touches our lips; He warms us from within with His love, gives us strength and encouragement for action.

Arild Rosenkrantz

Today He is born within us, love incarnate. We promise, like Mary, to nourish and protect this love within. Like Mary we treasure Him in our hearts. We ponder there the angelic words accompanying his arrival: God’s Spirit of Love reveals itself in the heights, and brings peace to those on earth in whom good will dwells.

As the poet suggests:

The weight of the world

is love.

Under the burden

of solitude,

under the burden

of dissatisfaction

the weight,

the weight we carry

is love.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] Alan Ginsberg, “Song”, (Collected Poems 1947-1980)

Christmas Dawn 2011, In the Middle

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:

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, 2011

Luke 2:1-20

We are in the middle; in the midst of a great event, a great day. And at the middle is a beginning.

An angel comes to announce the joyous dawning of a new age of mankind—an age of healing. And it begins with a tiny child, from whose eyes there pours all of God’s love for humankind. We are assured that we will find the child when we seek him.

We are in the middle. Human beings are the centerpiece of God’s creation, ratified by the fact that He sent His Son to become one of us. We are in the middle—and at the beginning. The new day has dawned. Human hearts are the dwelling place for His peace. He warms and strengthens the goodness of human will. Human speech is the bearer of His comfort, His healing and His love. And so we say with the poet:

Thou whose face gives grace

As the sun's doth heat,

Let thy sunbright face

Lighten time and space

Here beneath thy feet.

Bid our peace increase,

Thou that madest morn;

Bid oppressions cease;

Bid the night be peace;

Bid the day be born.[1]

---

[1] From “Christmas Antiphones” by Algernon Charles Swinburne

Picture: Sunrise over Lake

Christmas Dawn 2012, New World Image

Christmas II

Luke 2: 1-20

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

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:

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 5, 2012

Luke 2: 1-20

An old legend describes the first gift to the Christ Child very early Christmas morning. Mary and Joseph and the Child are settling, in the quiet light. The door opens to the figure of an ancient woman. She is dressed all in gray, with a hood covering her face. Mary is concerned. Slowly, with each step an eternity, the woman approaches. As she comes to the crib, the Child awakens, and Mary notices that the eyes of both are the same. The old one bends down over the Child, and her hand brings forth something from under her gray mantle; she hands it to the Child—His first gift.

The old figure straightens, as if freed from a great weight. Her face shines wonderfully young. Her head rises nearly to the rafters. She moves away, and disappears into the night.

Eve, for it was she, had come to bring the Child, as His first gift, the red apple of the first sin, the calamity of all mankind. And now the apple shines golden in the Child’s little hand, the image of a new world that was born with Him. 

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