The 12 Days of Christmas . . . and Christmas Blessings

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Jesus is the reason for the season." Indeed, that's true.

In addition to that, I want to offer a new saying:

"Christmas: it's a season for a reason!"

Yesterday, Christmas Day, wasn't just an event, a one-off holiday. Christmas Day was the FIRST day of the TWELVE days of Christmas. Christmas is a SEASON so that we can live into the incarnation we celebrate, a mystery so powerful and amazing that it takes more than a day to let it sink into us and begin to transform us.

During these 12 days of Christmas, my prayer for you is that you will be able to spend some time doing whatever it is that brings you closer to God - praying, playing, singing, resting, dancing, creating, sharing, giving . . .

And I pray that in doing so, you will find yourselves receiving the Christmas blessing prayed over us all on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness of sin, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness.
May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior's birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.
May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth
and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever.

Faithfully rejoicing,
Janet+

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ - the angelic host (Luke 2:14)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear Friends in Christ -

This is the greatest joy, the greatest hope, the greatest wish of all: that God would be glorified and that all people would have peace. God 'favors' the whole human race above all creation, even above the angels.

On this Holy Day, this is what the angels pray for us: peace. To be at peace with ourselves is to live into the fullness of who our Father created us to be, whole and joyful. To be at peace with each other is to respect the dignity of every human being and seek justice's fulfillment: love. To be at peace with God is to open ourselves to receive everything He has for us, and to respond with adoration to Him and kindness to ourselves and others. A prayer for peace is a prayer for God to overwhelm us with good.

On this most Holy Day, we join the angels in singing glory to God for His fresh inbreaking into our world, into our lives. And the angels - the angels who sang at Creation, the angels who greeted our Lord at His birth - pray for us peace. That's powerful stuff!

With that power filling me, surrounding me, I'm going to rest in joy . . . and take a nap!

Merry Christmas!
Joyfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Ready for Christmas?

"'By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’" - Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79)

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Less Hurry, More Holy" - the title of this series of Advent meditations now makes me chuckle and shake my head. When I started writing these daily reflections, I had in mind an increasingly peaceful spiritual glide toward the holy port of call that is Christmas. For me, this Advent was anything but that!

For many others, too, it seems. Everyone I have spoken with these past few days has said the same things: 'I can't believe it's Christmas; I'm not ready!'

What does it look like to be ready for Christmas?

The words from the prophet Zechariah (John the Baptist's father) remind us of this: the goodness that Christ brings is not about who we are, it's about who He is. And the goodness 'breaks upon us' like the dawn, ready or not.

In these waning hours of Advent, may you conclude your preparation with the only thing that's really necessary to be ready for His coming: asking God for an open heart.

(Almost) Merry Christmas!
Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: . . . again! . . .

"'so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing.'" - GOD (Isaiah 29:13-14a)

Dear Friends in Christ -

It's the night before the night before Christmas, and all through the house . . . nothing is finished, nothing is ready. The holiday menu hasn't been planned, the refrigerator is empty, the Christmas packages aren't in the mail, the sermons aren't finished, the kids' Christmas vacation play-dates haven't been arranged.

I thought that I had figured out the keys to Christmas success - plan ahead, shop early, get the packages in the mail before Dec. 15th, fill the freezer. But this year, the demands on my time have been unusually heavy. I've done some good things, made some good choices, but I've also fallen prey to distractions. Much is left undone. In the midst of the rush and crush, I missed fulfilling some basic commitments, like the honor-your-father-and-mother commandment: my parents' Christmas gifts won't be under their tree for Christmas morning.

The words of the prophet Isaiah give me hope. What is God's response to my imperfect habits and heart, to things left undone? "So I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing."

How wonderful is that? God's response to my limitations and failings, my inconsistencies and insufficiencies (and yours, too!) is to do amazing things AGAIN.

On this night before the night before Christmas, as I sit by the fire with my children going crazy with excitement all around me, I'm slowly breathing in and out, letting my heart fill with anticipation of the amazing things He will do . . . again . . . soon!

In joyful expectation,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Remembering how it all started . . .

‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ - Archangel Gabriel (Luke 1:28b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

Three days to Christmas and counting! And what do we hear from the Scriptures? A reminder of how this whole incarnation thing got started. Just one young woman.

One young woman who said 'yes.'

After Mary's first 'yes,' then Joseph was convinced to get on board with the plan. Then Elizabeth and the infant in her womb (John the Baptist) confirmed that this was something special. Then Zechariah, Elizabeth's husband. Then shepherds and wise men. Then, eventually, many-many-many people - from poor Israelites to Roman kings.

What might happen if you said 'yes' to God?

"Well," you might say, "God hasn't asked anything of me lately."

Really? He hasn't asked anything of you? Nothing has stirred in your spirit, pushing you on to some good thing? Nothing has pricked your conscience, challenging you to a change that would bring more health and wholeness?

What God is asking of you might not be as dramatic as birthing a Savior, but if you say 'yes' to God, the good from your choice will ripple out to places and people you never expected.

Say 'yes.'

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Hearing from God

"'Do not be afraid . . . for your prayer has been heard." - Luke 1: 13a

Dear Friends in Christ -

"Dear _______ - I got your message, and the answer is yes." This is what we most want to hear from God, right?

But what would you DO if you did actually hear this from God?

Zechariah heard these words. From an angel, no less. And what did he do? He basically said, "I doubt it." The angel struck him mute for several months in order to convince him.

I've always thought that if I heard an angel speak directly to me, I would believe him. But then again, maybe I wouldn't.

It's hard to believe God, to receive God. But as chosen ones, that's what we're called to do. And here's the good news: we don't have to believe or receive God perfectly in order for Him to come to us. God won't pass us by if we're doubting or afraid.

This Christmas, God wants us to offer our honest requests and praises to Him . . . and then wait. He's coming.

Faithfully with you, praying and waiting,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Peace on earth?

"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid . . . They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain . . ." - Isaiah 11:6a, 9a

Dear Friends in Christ -
Peace on earth. This time of year, we sing these words. We read them printed on pretty cards. We see them emblazoned on the sides of buildings in twinkly red-green-yellow lights.

Peace on earth . . . an activist slogan? a dream? Maybe it's just my imagination, but as we sing and think and read about peace MORE this time of year, I seem to see it LESS: families torn apart by addiction or divorce, communities hurt by partisan politics, nations plotting war.

What do families, politics, and war have in common? They're complicated. Perhaps it seems unrealistic or even silly, then, to look to the prophet Isaiah for answers. The picture he paints is so simple: wolves laying down with lambs and all that.

It seems unrealistic until you actually see it happening. Some of the most popular videos on YouTube are videos of the unlikely - dogs and cats sharing beds and food dishes, people singing in shopping malls instead of shoving people to get at sale items. Yes, I know some of the stuff on YouTube is staged. I also know that for every incident that is staged, there are many wondrous peace-making gestures that are never caught on tape.

Peace is possible. As St. Francis said, it begins with us. The requirement is this: willingness to believe in what we hope for, and willingness to take a risk - just one small step - in that direction.

Faithfully believing,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Messages in the midst of the unexpected

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid . . ." - Angel of the Lord, to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:20b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

When the unexpected happens, we have those regular, human reactions . . . we cringe in fear, lash out in anger, and/or laugh with nervousness. In Advent, the call of God is - even in the midst of those emotions - to listen. Something new is breaking forth.

The following story came to me yesterday from a friend. It's about seeing something new in the midst of our hectic Christmas routines. It touched me, called me to listen. I hope it touches your heart, too.

Blessings,
Janet+

The "W" in Christmas

Last December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm, peaceful experience. I cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten. It was an exciting season for a six-year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher, who said there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.

Around the room, I saw other parents quietly scampering in. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. When my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C.

Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child held up their letter and the complete message was presented, "CHRISTMAS LOVE".

The performance was going smoothly until suddenly, we noticed her; a small girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at her mistake, but she had no idea they were laughing at her. She stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although the teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, the reason for our festivities. When the last letter was held high, the message read:

"CHRISTWAS LOVE"

Indeed, He was. And He still is.

Less Hurry, More Holy: Reveling in the love of God . . . and music . . .

". . . keep yourselves in the love of God . . ." - Jude 1:21a

Dear Friends in Christ -

The Scripture passages we've been reading these past couple of weeks have carried many serious messages and stern warnings. I've been picking many of the lightest bits to share with you, but even so, I've grown weary of challenges to prepare and calls to repent.

Last night, I took a break from it all and indulged in some pull-out-all-the-stops virtuoso music. My husband and I went to see PRINCE in concert. WOW! What a funky, joyful reveling in art for the ears. For the whole body, for that matter; we couldn't help but dance to the music!

For me, music is the eighth sacrament, an outward and audible sign of the wild, deep, glorious roaring of God's heartbeat as it echoes through the universe. Immersing myself in music allows me to let go and just flow, and reminds me that my chief role in God's creation is to be a 'being,' not a 'doing.'

As we prepare for Christmas, may we all remember to 'keep ourselves in the love of God,' remembering to let go a little and revel in His goodness, which is manifest around us in so many ways.

Reveling in the joys of creation and creativity,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Getting perspective on this Jesus thing

"When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his* disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’" - Matthew 11:2-3

Dear Friends in Christ -

OK. Now I'm feeling impatient. Didn't I just hear this story last Sunday? Why do I need to hear this again? Can't we just move on?

As I sit here writing to you, I can practically see God shaking his head and hear His deep chuckle.

How do we 'move on' from the question of who Jesus is for us?

We don't. Ever. What we have with Jesus is a relationship. Not a result, not resolution, but a relationship. The fact that Jesus is our Savior is a reality that we sink into, delight in, wrestle with. We attempt the impossible: to "get perspective" on what it means for Jesus to be our Savior while existing within this truth. Sort of like fish trying to get perspective on what it means to live in water.

There is no graduation, no "moving on," from relationship with Jesus. Acknowledging this allows me to relax. God's time becomes my time, God's sky opens up and the clouds part to reveal a more distant horizon.

Jesus is the Living One who has come, who is coming, who will come again. There is no other. Living into relationship with Him is traveling on the glory bridge that extends from the beginning of time to eternity.

Faithfully - and a little more patiently - in relationship,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Preparing to receive

"Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him [John the Baptist], and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." - Matthew 3:5-6

Dear Friends in Christ -

What was it about John the Baptist that made people want - all of a sudden - to tell the truth about their sins, things they had been hiding for months, years, decades?! Certainly, it couldn't have been his wardrobe or eating habits that were so compelling. Camels' hair . . . locusts? No; it must have been something else.

The compelling thing about John was his passionate message: "PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD." In no uncertain terms, John said they needed to get ready, NOW. He reminded them of the promises of God and announced their fulfillment in the present.

People flocked to John for miles and miles around. If the promises of God were going to be fulfilled, they didn't want to miss out! They knew the stories. God had created the universe, called the people of Abraham to be His chosen ones, delivered them from slavery, sustained them in the wilderness . . . if God was going to do His next big thing . . . well, they didn't want ANYTHING to get in their way. Not even the things they had been stumbling over inside themselves for ages.

What internal box or bag do you need to give up - to confess - in order to prepare the way for God to come to you? We don't need John yelling from a local hill-top; the echoes of his words are enough to stir our consciences.

Make no mistake, it's GOD who is coming this Christmas, fulfilling more promises in His wake. So . . . PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD!

Faithfully with you, preparing to receive . . . -
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: When everything that can go wrong . . .

Dear Friends in Christ -

Today, I had one of THOSE days . . . when a whole series of best-laid plans had to be scrapped, when a whole string of hoped-for things didn't materialize. Sigh!

In wrapping things up for the evening, I stumbled over the following email, something lingering in my inbox since last week. For me, now is just the time for these words, written by one of my clergy colleagues, David Anderson.

May David's reflection encourage your heart as much as it is encouraging mine.

Blessings,
Janet+

When Everything That Can Go Wrong DOES Go Wrong
By David Anderson

In her wonderful book, "Traveling Mercies," Anne Lamott relates a striking story.

"Carolyn Myss, the medical intuitive who writes and lectures about why people don't heal, flew to Russia a few years ago to give some lectures. Everything that could go wrong did---flights were canceled or overbooked, connections missed, her reserved room at the hotel given to someone else. She kept trying to be a good sport, but finally, two mornings later, on the train to her conference on healing, she began to whine to the man sitting next to her about how infuriating her journey had been thus far. It turned out that this man worked for the Dalai Lama. And he said---gently---that they believe when a lot of things start going wrong all at once, it is to protect something big and lovely that is trying to get itself born---and that this something needs for you to be distracted so that it can be born as perfectly as possible."

We have all lived through periods when everything seems to go wrong. What if we could believe that such moments were crackling with the power and presence of God? What if we could see it all as a holy distraction---God diverting us so that something big could be born?

It's true. We have to be distracted, otherwise we'd try to "help" it be born. Or we'd try to kill it. We'd worry to death about what could go wrong at its birth. We would try to control its gestation, its formation, to make it what we think it needs to be.

Advent is a gestational season. Something big is aborning. If things are chaotic and going hopelessly wrong right now, lift up your head. In a moment of quiet, ask God if something is being born. And then---don't touch it. Let it be.

Less Hurry, More Holy: Catching a vision . . . by looking . . .

". . . there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish." - Isaiah 9:1a

Dear Friends in Christ -

Today, I'm clinging to this vision - a vision of deliverance for those who are in the darkness of suffering, those whom I'm comforting in my roles as priest and friend.

People often ask me: "How do you do it; how can you bear to spend so much time with people who are in distress, who are dying?"

My answer to that question changes constantly, because God is always finding new ways to sustain me. Today, as I sit here writing to you, I realize that I catch sight of this vision of "no gloom" by looking . . . literally, by looking up and by looking down.

When I look up, I see light. Even on this cold, gray day, I just looked out the window and caught a sight of a sliver of light through barely parted clouds. The physical act of looking up allows more breath to flow into my body, and the sight of the light lifts my spirits.

When I look down, I notice that I am connected, connected to the wonders of the sustaining earth. This morning, when I was cooking in my kitchen, looking down brought me into awareness . . . my nose was smelling cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, pine; my ears were hearing melodious Christmas tunes. Pausing to look helps me notice how I am sustained by goodness, even in the midst of very difficult struggles.

Today, I'm clinging to a vision, a vision of "no gloom." I'm sustained in this clinging by the simple act of looking, expecting to see. May it be so for you as well.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: The manger and the cross

‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’

Dear Friends in Christ -

Yesterday, during the Children's Moment at church, I spoke with the kids about the story of Jesus' birth. The story was the focus of their Sunday School classes, preparation for their pageant next week.

I asked them: "What is so important about this story?" A little towheaded five-year-old boy spoke up right away: "Because Jesus is the one who died on the cross."

Wow. I honestly didn't expect them to make that connection. I was especially surprised because the little boy who spoke up is my son, and we haven't talked about this at home! In our family, we've been talking about the baby and the shepherds, but not about how the manger connects with the cross.

This is, however, at the heart of it all; it's why Advent and Christmas really matter. The Gospel readings assigned in the daily office devotions during these Advent weeks are a walk through the story of Jesus last days - the last supper, Judas' betrayal, Jesus' arrest and trial and death.

Today's Gospel passage includes Jesus' plea to his Father not to make him go through this. Though generally in less dire circumstances, this is a prayer that we're familiar with because we pray it, too. What burden or responsibility do you bear that you would like God to take from you? Have you taken it to God directly? Have you let Him hear you say what you want?

In this prayer, Jesus sets a pattern for us to follow. The first part of the pattern: to ask God for what we really want. The second part of the pattern: to tell God you trust Him and that you'll be satisfied with what He brings out of it all.

Following Jesus' pattern isn't easy, but it's guaranteed to bring us to where it brought Jesus: from the simple beauty of the manger through the saving danger of the cross to the awesome wonders of heaven.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Evidence

"'Go tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them'" - Jesus (Matthew 11:3b-4)

Dear Friends in Christ -

As John the Baptist is suffering in prison, he begins to wonder - in spite of what he himself proclaimed - whether Jesus is really "the one".

When John's disciples bear John's question to Jesus, Jesus isn't offended. And he doesn't chastize John for doubting. Jesus' response to John is simply this: look at the evidence. The prophecies are being fulfilled. Desert lives are blooming.

As I read this passage, I wondered: when John's disciples returned to John after this encounter with Jesus, was John disappointed that all they brought was this message? Did John hope that Jesus would prove his Messiah-ness by miraculously causing the locks to spring open, 'setting the prisoner free'?

There are so many things that I wish Jesus would do. So many wounds in myself and others that I wish were healed. So many war zones that I wish were lushly peaceful.

How can I know that Jesus cares about these things, that he's going to make good on his promises? This morning in church, members of our congregation listed things that Jesus has been doing . . . really amazing things. A child's first words, healing from cancer, the loving faithfulness of a spouse, the miraculous birth of a child after several miscarriages. Hearing these stories reassured me at a deep level: the Messiah is coming. Even now, his power is stirring among us. Jesus challenges us directly: look and see!

Faithfully seeing . . . and waiting for more,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: The gift of an invitation

"Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right." - 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Dear Friends in Christ -

A while back, I told you that I was pondering what to do about Christmas presents. Well, I decided this year to focus on giving gifts of invitation and experience. Rather than giving stuff, I'm sharing experiences that I've enjoyed (ie - CDs of two new musical groups that have had a powerful impact on me this year) and I'm sharing invitations (ie - inviting people to join me for lunch so I can cook a favorite dish for them).

The following story by Jason Cho reminded me that there's another gift I might give to friends and neighbors this Christmas: an invitation to church. "That's not a REAL gift," you might protest. And I thought that too. For a moment. But then I realized this: Jesus SAVED me. I am who I am, I have what I have all because of Him.

Jesus isn't a limited edition. There's more than enough to go around. So I'm going to make more of an effort to invite people to come to church to meet Him so they can have the Light, too.

Advent blessings,
Janet+

ADVENT REPAIR AND PREPARE

Miss Rose refused to let any volunteers near her house. She was worried that it was beyond repair and would be demolished, and she would not have that. Our supervisor told us we would likely have to move on to another work site, but to give it a try anyway.

The largest member of our group was assigned to make the pitch to Miss Rose. He is physically one of the largest people I have ever known, a true mountain of a man. He banged on the door of the trailer parked in Miss Rose's back yard. When she opened it and saw him, she was speechless.. His size has that effect on people. He immediately announced in a very forceful voice: "Miss Rose, we are going to fix your house!" She said, "OK," and slammed the door to her trailer. During the next few days we began the repairs and renovation of Miss Rose's house. On the third morning, she played music for us out the window of her trailer. On our last day she brought us cookies I told her we would be leaving at the end of the Second Week of Advent day, but that another group of volunteers would be coming, and another group after that. I asked her to be nice to them. She promised she would.. When we left she gave the big guy a hug.

Not everyone prepares for and welcomes the gift of the Lord Jesus at Christmas. To many, Advent and Christmas are annoying, and they would just as soon be left alone. We probably all know someone who is openly skeptical, who would rather that the whole "holiday season" end, and end quickly. Perhaps you know someone in this mindset. Consider inviting that person to church during Advent. And don't give up if the answer is no the first time. You never know what might happen.

--Jason Leo
from We Shall All Be Changed: Daily Advent Meditations
reprinted from CREDO: A Window on Wellness

Less Hurry, More Holy: The glory is . . .

"God chose you as the first fruits for salvation . . . . For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13a-14b

Dear Friends in Christ -

This afternoon, glittering dust drifted from the sky and coated the world like powdered sugar. Before my eyes, the world was transformed from mousy-mossy greens and browns to gleaming, sparkling white.

I love the first snow because it makes me feel chosen. The snow fell HERE. Earlier this week, it fell a bit north of here, in Waterbury. Perhaps in the days to come it will fall along the shore in Bridgeport. In this moment, this is the beautiful place, the blessed place.

While being where the snow is (or isn't) is really a fairly random act of nature, the words of the apostle Paul - "God chose you" - remind us of a blessing that isn't random at all. You and I are chosen of God. On purpose. So that God, having chosen us, can bless us by giving us His glory. And what is that glory - the best, most awesome thing that God has to give? Jesus.

Think about that. God chose you and me to receive the incarnate Word, God's love with skin on, Jesus.

May all the little blessings around us - the dusty snow, the twinkling lights, the steam rising from a warm cup - draw us into peace, preparing our hearts to receive, more and again, Jesus.

Blessings,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Standing Firm

"If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all." - Isaiah 7:9b

Dear Friends in Christ -

(Sung to the tune of 'Deck the Halls'. . . )

'Tis the season of preparation
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
And the season of desperation
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Early on we had such visions
Fa-la-la La-la-la La-la-la
Now we're running in all directions
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la . . .

Trust yourself. You know what's good for yourself, for those around you. You know right now that half the things on your list won't get done, yet you let them stay there, tugging at your mind, draining your energy. Let your God-guided conscience lead the way. Be kind to yourself. Breathe deep.

Let today's Advent preparation include trimming the list so that you can be still, so that not only your house, but also your heart can be ready for the good things that God is bringing this Christmas.

Faithfully trimming the tree . . . and my own list!
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Real Repentance

"‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’" - Jesus (John 8:7b)

Dear Friends in Christ -

We're in the midst of the second week of Advent, the week that begins with John the Baptist calling everyone to repentance to "prepare the way of the Lord." How are you doing with that? Have you spent more time this week pointing out other people's sins or repenting of your own?

Some people are confused about what repentance really is . . .

Repentance IS the appropriate way to deal with a wrong YOU'VE actually done or a good YOU'VE failed to do.
Repentance IS saying you're sorry, making amends, and then letting it go.
Repentance IS NOT something you can do for someone else. If you have been hurt by someone else's sin, you might need support or counsel, but you don't need to "confess" your pain, and you can't repent of their sin for them.

Repentance IS being sorry for what you've done or failed to do.
Repentance IS NOT beating yourself up about it.

Repentance IS, in addition to being sorry, doing something to help ensure that you won't repeat your error.
Repentance IS NOT saying you're sorry for something you did and then turning right around and doing that same thing again.

It IS appropriate to repent of sins actually committed or the intent/desire to commit sin.
It IS NOT appropriate to repent of emotions. Emotions - both the ones we often consider 'good' and also the ones we consider 'bad' - are just a normal, natural part of being human. It's OK to be sad, tense, angry, etc.
It IS appropriate to repent of unhealthily hanging on to an emotion in order to manipulate, seek revenge, etc.

The apostle Paul said, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Indeed, it's true. We see the results of sin both in and around us every day. You would think that with all the expertise we have with sinning, we would also have a great deal of expertise with repenting. In fact, we're pretty bad at it. How do I know? Even though we're Christians, our lives look too much like the lives of those around us. We're often impatient with others, unkind to ourselves, and more willing to stay stuck in our own messes than we are to get out by repenting.

Today, Jesus invites us to take a good, hard look. Not at the sins of our family members, our neighbors, or our government, but at our own sins. As we repent of these sins, we find freedom and new life.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Be on guard

"‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.'" - Jesus (Luke 21:34-35a)

Dear Friends in Christ -

What do wasting time, getting drunk, and worrying have in common? They're all things that Jesus says we're supposed to stay away from. Why? Because they keep our hearts from rising to notice when and where Jesus is coming to us.

We often think of Jesus' coming as something that happened "back then" in a stable at Bethlehem or as something that will happen "sometime in the future" when Jesus descends through the clouds accompanied by trumpet fanfare. But Jesus' incarnation signalled to us that God is always coming to us. Now. Wherever we are. In ways we wouldn't expect. In ways we wont' notice unless we're ready, listening, open.

Wasting time, getting drunk, worrying. What do these things have in common? Avoidance. The purpose of wasting time is often to avoid an unpleasant task. The purpose of getting plowed is often to avoid dealing with difficulty or pain. The purpose of worrying is often to avoid being surprised by possible problems.

The trouble is not only that wasting time, getting drunk and worrying DON'T WORK. They also result in being unawake, unaware, and unattuned to the good possibilities of what might happen in this present moment. Jesus is HERE (He promised to always be with us), and in these preoccupations we're too distracted to notice.

Today, if you're tempted to waste time, get drunk or worry, STOP in your tracks. ASK yourself, 'what am I avoiding?' TRUTH will come to you in that moment, and you might feel fear, pain or stress. But call on Jesus, and he'll come. And he'll help you cross through . . . to something new.

Faithfully on guard with you,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: Doing God's Call

"For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Dear Friends in Christ -

You are a chosen child of God. As such, you have a role to play. You're called to be a saint, someone who encourages and builds others up. How are you doing with that?

Here's the good news: we have good examples to follow in this saint business, folks who show us how it's done. Folks like Nicholas (today is St. Nicholas Day!) who made their own unique contributions by just doing what they could.

If Nicholas had been working down a prescribed tick-list of do-gooding activites - working 24/7 to write like St. Augustine and to help the poor like St. Vincent and to talk to animals like St. Francis - he might have missed HIS calling. What was Nicholas' lasting legacy? Anonymous gift-giving (what wonderful work to be called to do!). For exampel, when Nicholas heard that three girls from a poor family were going to be forced into prostitution because they didn't have dowries, he secretly pitched coins through the window and onto the hearth when he walked by their home, making them eligible for marriage.

Are you trying to do everything? Or are you trying to do the thing God is especially calling you to do?

God's word to us today is this:
focus, and be free
build others up, leave a legacy

Faithfully striving to focus,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: The Second Sunday of Advent

"Prepare the way of the Lord . . ." - Matthew 3:3

Dear Friends in Christ -
Advent is a season, yes. But Advent it also an attitude. Here is a little snippet that captures the essence of this time of expectancy.
Blessings,
Janet+


The Moment is Advent

"The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you've never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart...The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment."
- Frederick Buechner
Whistling in the Dark, pages 2-3

Less Hurry, More Holy: Worth it . . .

"‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified'" - Jesus
(Luke 21:9a)

Dear Friends in Christ -

In some of his last conversations with his disciples before his own time of trial, Jesus talks with them about the trials they will face. Jesus speaks to them with urgency - and confidence. He is sure that he's right in telling them this: they don't need to be afraid. The trials they will face will be extremely difficult, but temporary. Then Jesus directs their attention to what will happen beyond the trials themselves.

That's the hard part, really, - being able to hold onto the goodness that lies ahead tightly enough not to lose your grip on it. Tightly enough to get through the painful challenges of the present.

But Jesus promised his disciples - and us - that hanging on through present struggles is worth it. In the process, we'll be drawn closer and closer to God; so close, in fact, that God's thoughts will be on our lips at a moment's notice. And, finally, we'll gain the ultimate prize: "by your endurance you will gain your souls." To gain our souls is nothing more or less than this: to come into our full, whole, lively, wonderful selves.

So how do we hang on in the midst of wars and insurrections that tear our world apart, in the midst of deep wounds and broken relationships that tear us apart? We do what the disciples did. We stick with those who believe, those who speak truth, those who encourage us and who by their good example point the way.

Blessings,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: In the midst of the noise, music!

"You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore." - Psalm 16:11

Dear Friends in Christ -

Last night, I took time to step away from work and family obligations. I did something that feeds my soul: I went to a concert. A friend and I heard "Robert Randolph and the Family Band" - rockin' gospel rock!!!

I went to bed late, but when I woke, the riffs and refrains of the music were still playing in my head, and I felt energized.

I can always tell when things are good in my soul . . . there's music there.

I offer you this little piece by Robert Benson about songs; his words resonate with me today.

Blessings,
Janet+

THERE HAS TO BE A SONG

There has to be a song -
there are too many dark nights
too many tiresome days,
too many wearisome miles.

There has to be a song -
to make our burdens bearable,
to make our hopes believable,
to transform our successes into praise,
to release the chains of past defeats.

Somewhere -
down deep in a forgotten corner
of each man's heart -

There has to be a song -
like a cool clear drink of weter,
like a gentle warmth of sunshine,
like the tender love of a child -

there has to be a song.

Less Hurry, More Holy: In case you're wondering . . .

"May he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father" - 1 Thessalonians 3:13a

Dear Friends in Christ -

Wondering about the source of the Scripture quotations I've been using for these Advent reflections? Well, they're from the Daily Office, a two-year cycle of readings listed in the back of the Prayer Book. If you read the assigned passages every day for two years, you read through pretty much the entire Bible. There are three short readings listed for each day - a reading from the Old Testament, a reading from Paul's letters, and a reading from the Gospels.

There's a place you can find a list of these readings online, too: http://satucket.com/lectionary/.

What I've been doing is just sharing a snatch of one of these readings and offering my reflections on that.

Sometimes it seems that Scripture is random - and doesn't really apply. Sometimes it seems that the words on the page of the Bible were put there especially, specifically for you right at this moment.

Either way, daily reflection on Scripture starts to change us, shape us. As I look back over my sermons and blog posts, I start to see themes and patterns, things that God is systematically trying to reveal to me, to us. So that we can be stronger, holier, closer to the One who loves us and gives us fullness of life.

Faithfully,
Janet+

Less Hurry, More Holy: KISB

"'Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, . . . Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?'" - Luke 20:21,22

Dear Friends in Christ -

I blame my parents for a lot of things, including this: I'm a dyed-in-the-wool rule-follower. They raised me to color inside the lines, read the instructions, do what I was told.

This is usually seen as a good trait, a praise-worthy way of being. But there's a problem with following the rules: everywhere you look there are rules. The government has rules. The workplace has rules. Families have rules. The culture has rules. Even God (and the church) have rules. And you can make yourself crazy trying to follow them all and keep everyone happy. I know; I've done it.

What rules are you going to follow this holiday season? The Emily Post rules of etiquette that say you have to get a gift for every person who gives one to you? The Biblical rules of caring first for those in need? The Suze Orman rules of personal finance that say cut back on gift giving and never pay for anything on a credit card?

In the midst of seemingly competing demands, Jesus' response to the scribes and chief priests invites us to peaceful resolution: don't make things more difficult than they need to be, know where your responsibilities lie, allow yourself to simply do what needs doing - no more, no less.

In other words - Keep It Simple, Beloved.

Faithfully striving to live more simply,
Janet+