The Trail Ends At Bethlehem
Advent Meditations
Written by members of the Parish Family of
Christ Episcopal Church, Slidell, LA.
http://www.christchurchslidell.com/
2007
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A Note from the Editor
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit. For many years, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas has written books of this nature during Advent. The purpose is to provide a short, structured process to daily prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2006, I brought this wonderful gift to Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell, Louisiana as it started its second centennial of ministry. Inside, you will find those members who were brave enough to share their thoughts about the lessons for the day. Most take a verse or two out of one lesson but occasionally an author will take on the challenge of tying multiple lessons together. Each is special in its own way. After all, the goal is to bring us closer to Jesus.
This book is entitled The Trail Ends At Bethlehem. Joseph had the incredible challenge of moving about 120 miles south while Mary was carrying Jesus. Today, we would make this trip in a couple of hours in the safety of our cars. Joseph probably walked while Mary is usually depicted as riding a donkey. Normally, they could have walked this distance in a couple of days, but I suspect they needed a week if not two. The trail often had predatory animals and thugs of all kinds. Simply put, this was a very dangerous journey with incredible risks. How Mary made this trip without having Jesus on the trail is a miracle all on its own. Clearly, Mary had to be relieved she saw Bethlehem at the end of the trail. Keep this in mind as you read these meditations.
The first page of each Advent week has simple instructions for each day that week. Each day, read the explanation of the candle, the collect for the week before turning to the current day’s page. Close with the Lord’s Prayer and PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ADVENT CANDLES ARE COMPLETELY EXTINISHED AND THE WREATH DID NOT CATCH A SPARK.
Happy New Year,
J. Wesley McComb
Advent Week 1 Instructions
Read the following as you light the one purple candle on the Advent Wreath:
Reading for lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP, page 211.
Turn to the page for today.
Read the Old Testament lesson.
Read the first Psalm.
Read the Epistle.
Read the second Psalm.
Read the Gospel.
Read the Meditation.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
Put out the candle.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Amos 1:1-5,13-2:8; 1st Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:5-19;
Psalms: Morning 146, 147; Evening 111, 112, 113
“A dream to some and a nightmare to others.” This line was memorably spoken by Nicol Williamson portraying Merlin in the 1981 movie Excalibur (which was, by the way, the first movie I ever saw on video tape). After the decline of Camelot and the decimation of the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin at long last appears again to King Arthur (Nigel Terry), prompting the King to ask if this were a dream. “A dream to some and a nightmare to others.” The epic battle against Mordred is soon enjoined and won.
We are fools if we think of Advent only as a four-week countdown to Christmas. Advent is preparation for the coming of Christ: as a baby in Bethlehem long, long ago, yes; but also as God who will, once and for all put the world to rights. The prophet Amos, the apostle Paul, and Jesus himself say this of the day of God’s coming: It will be a dream to some, and a nightmare to others.
Rev. Brian Grantz
Monday, December 3, 2007
Amos 2:6-16; 2nd Peter 1:1-11; Matthew 21:1-11
Psalms: Morning 1, 2, 3; Evening 4, 7
Meditation can be a difficult thing to accomplish in this world of instant and fast everything. Calming my mind so it can “hear” what it reads is always a challenge.
The essences of these passages for this Monday are that God will take care of those who are righteous and deal severely with the ungodly. It is as though we need not be concerned with the ungodly but strive to live our own good life. So many of us are trying to live lives that follow Jesus’ teachings but HE has placed a great task before us in this modern world. Everyday we walk with and talk with the ungodly. How do know who they are and how can we change their hearts? And should we? Is it enough for us to be an example to them? We are asked to love our neighbor as ourselves. Does that not also mean to reach out to the ungodly?
Peter in his letter asks us to be virtuous, temperate, and patient and exhibit brotherly kindness and charity. Following this we can come to know God and Jesus. I suppose I think there is a conundrum. To ignore the ungodly yet love our brother as ourselves. Maybe the ungodly cannot “hear” either and maybe they do want to hear and there in lies the difference. I suppose I believe that all of us are salvageable but I find no advice or guidelines for how this should occur if at all.
I feel compassion for those of us who are lost and have strayed from God. I pray that the Shepherd finds them and brings them home.
Aldie Jacobs
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Amos 3:1-11; 2nd Peter 1:12-21; Matthew 21:12-22;
Psalms: Morning 5, 6; Evening 10, 11
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, it will be done.
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:21-22
The obvious reading of the conclusion of the fig tree story (the introductory quote) is that prayer plus belief equals success. That is, we read the phrase "if you have faith and do not doubt" as repetition rather than as two distinct things. A quick check of my Webster's shows six definitions of the word faith. Four include some form of the word believe, and a fifth also has that meaning. The sixth, however, is "allegiance to some person or thing; loyalty." Most of the combination uses of faith (in good faith, keep faith, break faith, faithful, faithless) also refer to loyalty. Faith is derived through the Latin fides, to trust. There is every reason to believe that in Jesus' time, faith meant not only to trust, but to be trustworthy.
You can count on God to equip you for His agenda; do not count on Him to meet your agenda. A proper relationship with God will not let you ask Him for vain things; experience will teach you that he always delivers the obvious solution; but when He asks something, it IS possible.
Gus Michel
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Amos 3:12-4:5; 2nd Peter 3:1-10; Matthew 21:23-32; Psalms: Morning 119:1-24; Evening 12, 13, 14
After reading Matthew 21:23-32, I realized that many of us have questioned the authority of others. Many times I have heard someone question the right of another’s action.
Several years ago when I was teaching, I heard many of my students express the distrust of those in authority. I taught at risk students that were in seventh and eighth grades. These young people for whatever reason had difficulty learning. Adults were generally not trusted by them. They did not believe they could learn or that anyone could help them. Before I could teach them I had to earn their trust which was not an easy task.
Jesus had to earn the trust of his followers. We too must trust Him in order to have the faith to believe and spread His message. Because He loved us, He paid the ultimate price for us by giving his own life so that our sins could be forgiven. Truly He has earned our trust, faith, respect, and love.
Betty Tonkel
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Amos 4:6-13; 2nd Peter 3:11-18; Matthew 21:33-46;
Psalms: Morning 18:1-20; Evening 18:21-50
Finally, he sent his son to them, saying,
“They will respect my son.”
Matthew 21:37
As we are counting down the days to the birth of Jesus, today’s Gospel reading reminds us that the true miracle of Christ laid not in his birth but in his death and resurrection. Today’s reading is commonly known as “The Parable of the Wicked Tenants.” A wealthy landowner sets up vineyards and leaves them in the care of trusted tenants. When harvest time comes, he sends slaves to collect his portion of the produce. The wicked tenants kill all the slaves the master sends; eventually, the master sends his own son, believing that they will not cross the line of killing his own flesh and blood.
The wicked tenants do kill the son, of course, and terrible retribution is certain to come their way when the master finds out what they have done. As we read in the letter of Peter, “...the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.” (2 Peter 3:10) In this parable, Jesus foretells his own fate at the hands of those whom God entrusted with his own son.
Advent is the time when we anticipate the coming of Jesus in human form, but we should also reflect on the inevitability of his death and the part that we all play in being “good” or “wicked” on the land that God has granted us as tenants for the short period that we are entrusted to work in his vineyard.
John Pfiefer
Friday, December 7, 2007
Amos 5:1-17; Jude 1-16; Matthew 22:1-14;
Psalms: Morning 16, 17; Evening 22
As I read the lessons several times I thought back to the theme of this year’s meditations, “The Trail Ends at Bethlehem”. I just did not get the theme from these readings. We have Amos, an 8th century prophet telling us to “seek the lord and live”. Jude, leader of the Jerusalem Church, urging those of faith to contend for the faith against certain ungodly intruders who have perverted the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear the parable of the wedding feast which concerns the refusal to enter the kingdom by those originally invited.
Well, no mater what the theme of each lesson is, all of those mentioned had a journey that they must walk as do each and every one of us. There is a beginning and an end and there is a “trail” or path that we must follow in order to get to the destination. The trail or path that we walk determines where we will wind up. If the trail in this life is to Bethlehem, then we chose a trail that is hard, but the end of that trail is paradise. No matter how many roots we trip over, holes we fall in, there is always a steadfast companion to help us up. No matter how fast, or how slow, he is always there to urge us on. No matter how dark, he is always there to light the way.
For me, I learned of Christ’s companionship after Hurricane Katrina. No mater what the circumstances, I learned that if I asked him, he always reminded me that he was there with me. He lit the way and gave me a helping hand to get up. He always gave me the words to comfort others. He never let me down.
As you start your journey down the trail in the Advent season which ends in Bethlehem, ask Christ to walk with you. I promise you, it will lead you to the greatest Joy you can imagine.
Rev. Milton Gibson, Deacon
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Amos 5:18-27; Jude 17-25; Matthew 22:15-22;
Psalms: Morning 20, 21; Evening 110, 116, 117
The common theme of the above verses is God's desire for each of us to place all our trust in Him, not in the things of this world or in other idols/gods. Furthermore, He wants our trust to be sincere and true within each of our hearts, where steadfast hearts, obedience, and righteous actions prove/demonstrate this sincerity.
The verses from Amos tell us that insincere displays of faith and obedience, where these are merely for show or going through rituals, are displeasing to God and they will be rejected by Him.
The verses in Jude warn us to stay away from or resist “scoffers” who follow ungodly and natural instincts and do not have the Spirit (of God). They also encourage us to build ourselves up to stay in God's love and also to help others who are searching for God, have doubts about Him.
Matthew tells us to give God those things that belong to Him (including our total trust and faith) while giving Caesar (our worldly rulers) the things that belong to Caesar (them).
Psalms 20 and 21 essentially state that God will protect and give victory to those who put their trust in Him, even and especially during times of hardship or distress.
Psalm 110 states that God will subdue/conquer those who oppose Him and bless those who follow Him. Psalm 116 tells us that God will hear, answer, and bless those who call on and fulfill their vows to Him. God will also free them from bondage.
What are your idols?
Larry deQuay
Advent Week 2 Instructions
Light one purple candle and read the following as you light a second purple candle on the Advent Wreath:
Reading for lighting the second candle on the Advent wreath.
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP, page 211.
Turn to the page for today.
Read the Old Testament lesson.
Read the first Psalm.
Read the Epistle.
Read the second Psalm.
Read the Gospel.
Read the Meditation.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
Put out the candles.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Amos 6:1-14; 1st Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 1:57-68
Psalms: Morning 148, 149, 150; Evening 114, 115
“Are you saved?” This is the question of well-meaning and sincere Christians, though generally not Episcopalians. This question was first put to me when I was in high school and has come up many times through the years since then. My answers have ranged from the theological – “Yes, 2000 years ago” – to the disdainful – “From what?” – to the sincere – “I believe, by God’s grace, that I am.” The prophet Amos reminds us today, however, that the problem is not in the question, but in the expectation that it can or should be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
“Alas for those who are at ease in Zion…” Amos begins. Alas for those who have answered “yes” to the question of salvation and believe that is all there is to it. Alas for those to whom salvation has become a matter of pride. Our salvation, God’s work to make us safe from sin and death, is not something that can be attained but rather something to be continually worked out “in fear and trembling.”
“Are you saved?” is a worthy question that requires something better than a simple “yes” or “no.” An answer that does not lure us into complacency. An answer that speaks of our continual striving to live the will of God.
Rev. Brian Grantz
Monday, December 10, 2007
Amos 7:1-9; Revelation 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33;
Psalms: Morning 25; Evening 9, 15
Like most people, I love the season leading up to Christmas. I love the music, the hustle & bustle, and the merriment. Sometimes, I forget, as it is easy to do, that Advent is a season of reflection & prayer, leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
The bright spot in the readings today was the gospel reading. What a joyous message that our God is the God of the living, not the dead!! By claiming God’s salvation and becoming a part of His family, we will live after the death of this earthly body. When I think of all of the people I have loved and respected that are no longer with us on earth, it is exciting to think that I’ll see them again.
I’ve recently been reading the book by Rev. Don Piper,”90 Minutes in Heaven”. I picked up this book to read mainly out of curiosity. The author tells of a fatal accident in which he was pronounced dead and for 90 minutes, he visited heaven. He tells a vivid story of what he saw, heard, and experienced during those 90 minutes. It is a very uplifting story and he talks about many of the things that we, the church, believe. Basically, he is affirming what scripture says. Did he dream it or did it really happen?
Only God knows. I will leave the opinions up to others. In a very real way, though, this story shows us that our God is the God of the living, both here on earth and in heaven.
Our time on earth is a journey. If we look at our life as our journey toward heaven, we can see very clearly how God has worked and is working in our lives. Our Advent journey leads us to Bethlehem and the celebration of the earthly birth of God’s love. We await His coming!
Beth Gibson
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Amos 7:10-17, 24-25; Revelation 1:9-16; Matthew 22:34-46; Psalms: Morning 26, 28; Evening 36, 39
A while back, a wonderful actor by the name of Jimmy Stewart died. Few people today realize he was a retired World War II United States Air Force General with numerous medals. Simply put, the man was a real live genuine hero who just happened to play the good guy in the movies.
Jimmy Stewart had many memorable roles. Harvey was a very successful stage production with Stewart playing Elwood P. Dowd—a role he reprised many times throughout his lifetime. Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey ties to the Revelation (no s) lesson for today. You see, Elwood could see a six foot invisible rabbit named Harvey but no one else could. Jimmy Stewart played Dowd so masterfully you could feel the presence of Harvey even if you could not see him. In the end, Elwood convinces Dr. Chumley that Harvey does indeed exist.
As author of Revelation, John also sees some things the average person does not. Patmos is 13 square miles of mostly volcanic terrain. Scholars generally agree it was probably a penal colony. Other than working the small patches where food can be grown, John probably had very little to do.
On a Sunday, John started a prayerful meditation when things started happening. Did he fall asleep and this was all a dream? Like Elwood, was John able to see things others chose not to see? Did Jesus actually visit John on the island? Is it possible his soul left his body on the island and ventured off to the places described?
Whatever happened that day, his limited vocabulary could not possibly describe all the things he saw. John was very close to Jesus that day. What will it take to bring you closer to Jesus?
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Amos 8:1-14; Revelation 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12;
Psalms: Morning 38; Evening 119:25-48
“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,
and lay them on the shoulders of others,
but they themselves are unwilling
to lift a finger to move them”
Matthew
23:4
How much does a Book of Common Prayer weigh? One pound, eleven ounces and my copy of the King James Bible weighs two pounds, two ounces. No heavy lifting here, yet Jesus is not addressing just the Temple leadership, He is talking to us as His church and me as a willful sinner.
Is there a parish family so holy that they do not place a burden of being the solution-to-all-problems and righter-of-all-wrongs on their clergy? Perhaps somewhere there is a clergy member who has never, even for one moment, felt they gave up a better life for the church and the people should pick up the burden of making that sacrifice worthwhile, perhaps.
As a parent I place my expectations
squarely on my children’s backs. The burden of my ego, I place on others. It is
not enough that I am a loved child of God, I want others to assure me I am
loved and valued by them. Mother earth and the poor bear the burden of my
material consumption. Those close to me bear the burden of my moods, my anger,
my depressions, my frustrations.
This is a season of burdens, the burden of an unbidden pregnancy on a simple
adolescent girl , the burden of government registration on a confused Joseph
and at the end of His life, the burden of my sins on the back of a Man who just
wanted to show me a better way.
Please Father, enable us to lay our burdens at your feet and walk lighter.
Peace,
Claire Singer
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Amos 9:1-10; Revelation 2:8-17; Matthew 23:13:26;
Psalms: Morning 37:1-18; Evening 37:19-42
All of today’s readings relate to leading a good life and, especially, the punishment for not living a good life. In fact, when I started reading today’s lessons in preparation for writing this meditation, I jotted down the following in my notes: “Lots of smiting going on in these readings; how does that relate to the road to Bethlehem?” Later, I shared that thought with Wes, and he responded with classic understatement, “Well, those were very violent times, and so we know Joseph and Mary were heading out on a perilous journey.” Yes, indeed.
We’ve all heard it said that one of the myriad reasons our society is collapsing is because the element of punishment has largely been removed from the equation of living. We can debate whether this is true, but we can all provide examples of evildoers committing their deeds with apparent impunity. However, the Bible reminds us again and again that there is punishment, there are consequences, and that none of us is beyond reproach.
In today’s reading from Matthew, Jesus warns, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” “Yes!” I reply, “You tell ‘em, Lord!” Of course, I only have to wait a moment before I realize that there are plenty of examples in my own life of not following the way, of making poor choices, of espousing one thing and doing another. I don’t have to wait for Jesus to point the finger at the Pharisees, he can point it straight at me.
The good news for all of us is that with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem came the chance for us to acknowledge our sins, to be cleansed and forgiven, and to move on in our lives with our burdens lifted. Does it mean we will never sin again? Of course not. What is means is we will never be bereft. Even as we travel our own roads, fraught with different kinds of peril, we remember the journey of Joseph and Mary. Sustained only by faith, they pressed on. Following their example, we need never be alone on the road—or fear punishment at the end of it.
Deborah Pfiefer
Friday, December 14, 2007
Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39;
Psalms: Morning 31; Evening 35
The above scripture passages appear to share common and complementary themes or messages. They warn each of us to be on guard for residual sins or evil practices and acts that somehow seem to remain a part of us, especially when most or nearly all of our activities are good and in accordance with God’s will.
Is there that one sin that keeps coming back and never seems to be fully purged out of your system or my system, when everything else we’re doing is righteous? Perhaps this sin is the “tolerance of Jezebel,” where Revelations 2:18-29 tells us that the people of the church of Thyatira were allowing sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols to creep into their lives. This was occurring at a time when these same people were known for their deeds of love and faith, service and perseverance. God also tells those of the same church who have not been led astray to hold on tightly to what they have until He comes; as it appears that these people could also be easily led down evil paths.
In Haggai, the prophet tells the people of Judah that they have neglected to work on building the Lord’s house, while focusing too much energy on building their own houses. For this reason, they are missing out on blessings, where their hunger, thirst, various needs and comforts are not being satisfied. The people seem to be acting righteously in all other matters, but the one area of neglect is causing difficulties and lack of full blessings.
Matthew 23:27-39 goes even further than the other passages, since the ways of the Pharisees and teachers of the law go far beyond a few residual sins. In their case, they have put on an external appearance of righteousness, while a multitude of evil thoughts and practices are occurring on the inside or in private dealings with other people. Jesus is saying or implying that a wholesale cleansing from the inside out is needed in this case.
For us, this should be a warning to examine ourselves honestly and completely during the times we feel like or others believe that we are living in full accordance with God’s will. The result may be the need for removal of one or two residual sins or a wholesale cleansing from the inside.
Larry deQuay
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Haggai 2:1-19; Revelation 3:1-6; Matthew 24:1-14;
Psalms: Morning 30, 32; Evening 42, 43
Have you ever had a "mountain top" experience? Do you remember what it felt like for everything to be "right" with yourself, the world, and most importantly, with your faith?
The scripture, appointed for today, speaks not to the "mountain top" experience but to what I refer to as "being in the valley." Yet within all of the scripture is a glimmer of hope of the future of the kingdom of God.
How do we respond to our valleys? If we use that time to regroup and recover from whatever is causing our valleys and continue to believe and trust in God, then it is reasonable to expect that God, with his unfailing and unconditional love, will bring us closer to Him.
In ten days, we will celebrate the birth of God's only Son, our Savior Jesus. What better hope and proof of God's love can we have?
May peace and love abide in our hearts and minds this season and always.
Terry Brown
Advent Week 3 Instructions
Light two purple candles and read the following as you light the pink candle on the Advent Wreath:
Reading for lighting the third candle on the Advent wreath.
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. BCP, page 212.
Turn to the page for today.
Read the Old Testament lesson.
Read the first Psalm.
Read the Epistle.
Read the second Psalm.
Read the Gospel.
Read the Meditation.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
Put out the candles.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Amos 9:11-15; 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3, 13-17; John 5:30-47; Psalms: Morning 63, 98; Evening 103
After all that Amos has done and said his blunt and sometimes harsh words to the people of Israel, in the midst of their despair there comes a message of hope:
“On that day I will raise up
the booth of David that is fallen,
and repair its breaches,
and raise up its ruins,
and rebuild it as in the days of old;”
Amos 9:11
I am writing this meditation on the Saturday evening before the baptism of Owen Doyle McLellen and, if things progress as expected, the last Saturday, if not the last day, of my father-in-law’s life. Tomorrow morning, Owen will die and rise again to new life in Christ in the sacrament of holy baptism while, at roughly the same time, cosmically speaking, Craig Ford will die and rise again to new life in Christ in the resurrection. This is the Christian hope; a potent expectation of resurrection tomorrow for both Owen and Craig; rising to new life in Christ in this world and in the world to come.
It is for this reason that Jesus comes to us at Christmas: to repair the breaches, to raise up the ruins, to rebuild as in the days of old.
Rev. Brian Grantz
Editor’s note: Craig Ford died a few hours before Owen’s baptism.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Zechariah 1:7-17; Revelation 3:7-13; Matthew 24:15-31;
Psalms: Morning 41, 52; Evening 44
Let anyone who has an ear listen to what
the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 3:13
Philadelphia was a small town much like Slidell. The Greeks had settled there to expand their culture into the areas known at the time as Lydia and Phrygia. The soil was fertile and they grew grapes. Otherwise, Philadelphia was just like any other small town in Asia Minor. Revelation is the only place in the Bible to mention Philadelphia. Paul probably never went there. Ignatius wrote a letter that expands on many points in today’s text.
Today, Philadelphia is called Alaşehir in Turkey. The town is still small with a population of 36,535. Alaşehir still grows grapes with Sultana Raisins being synonymous with the town. Were it not for Revelation, I would never have known it existed.
Philadelphia was very special to Jesus. They had a ministry where everyone was welcome. The few members were true and faithful to Jesus having avoided the confusion presented by Jewish law. More importantly, the Holy Spirit had empowered them with numerous gifts which they put to good use. Unlike most of the other churches, Jesus did not mention any faults they had.
Churches come in all shapes and sizes. Some are huge denominations with millions of members all over the world. Others go to little green buildings with red doors that are later replaced with a larger building with beautiful stain glass windows. The smallest church is reading this book right now—YOU!
For just a minute, consider what would be in a letter Jesus wrote you today. What would Jesus say about your life so far? Are you a “…pillar in the temple of my God”? Just where are you on the trail to Bethlehem?
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Zechariah 2:1-13; Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 24:32-44;
Psalms: Morning 45; Evening 47, 48
“I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:15-16
The reason I chose these two verses was because many years ago I converted from Judaism to Episcopalian. My dad was not too happy about this because he thought I had renounced my Judaism heritage. I told him that I was adding to my faith because, to me, Jesus was indeed the Messiah spoken of in the Jewish religion.
I chose to go that way because I traveled on business back in those days. I wanted my wife and children not to have to go across the lake on a Friday night or a Saturday morning and Sunday School.
This was not an easy decision for me. I really agonized over it for many years. When I finally made the decision, I felt very comfortable with it even though it caused a rift with my parents.
What made this the right decision for me was when my father was seriously ill I would always go and visit him. I would tell him that we prayed for him and he would ask me why. I told him that we wanted him to feel the love of Jesus in his time of peril. It was also a means for me to show him that I wanted him to get well.
When my father died, I think he felt the love of Jesus. Prayer does work. Before he died, my father was in intensive care and he was transferred to a private room where he later died.
These two verses showed me you can’t be lukewarm when you serve God in some capacity. When I made the decision to become an Episcopalian, I felt a need to be consistent in everything I do. In everything I have done, I believe I have honored God’s faith in me and mine in Him.
J B Tonkel
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Zechariah 3:14-22; Revelation 4:1-8; Matthew 24:45-51;
Psalms: Morning 119:49-72; Evening 49, 53
Unexpected Inspiration
In Psalm 53, the writer says “Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God. They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts, there is no one who does good.” God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
Several months ago while on vacation, I walked through streets in Rome which were over 2000 years old and tried to put myself back to that time of history that so affected the people of the Bible. Later standing in the center of the Sistine Chapel in complete awe of what I was seeing, I once again tried to imagine life in the time of Christ. Depicted on the walls and the more famous Michelangelo ceiling were paintings of Bible stories I learned as a child and covered life from Adam and Eve to The Last Judgment, which takes up an entire wall at the end of the Chapel.
Over the next few days in museums and cathedrals alike, I looked at sculptures and paintings on walls, wooden panels and canvas that each in its own way told the story of both Jews and Christians, but primarily the virgin birth of Christ to Mary. The artists and sculptors who created these works, many as old as 800 years, were blessed by God with true genius, the ability to use their creative talents to tell the story of His son…and without pictures or copies to draw on.
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation and preparation. As we look toward the birth of Christ, I believe we are called to examine what God’s plan for us may be, and determine what talents WE may possess to carry on his work. I have often thought it to be a daunting task, but I was reminded by the paintings I saw that, more times than not, God chose simple and somewhat flawed people do his work. Consider Jonah, Moses, Jacob, David, the adulterous king, and Paul, who persecuted Christians before his conversion. Could He have made better choices? Probably so. But maybe it was to show us that, even with our perceived weakness and sometimes lack of faith, we could say “if they could do it with God’s help, so can we.” May the journey we take down the trail that ends at Bethlehem touch all of our hearts; give us renewed hope for the future, and a new dedication to do His will.
Jim Epperson
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Zechariah 4:1-14; Revelation 4:9-5:5; Matthew 25:1-13;
Psalms: Morning 50; Evening 33, 59, 60
On the Road Again - and Always
Our Advent journey ends in a few days at Bethlehem, the birthplace of our Lord Jesus Christ. My hope throughout Advent, while distracted by the din and clutter of the commercial Christmas scene, has been to appreciate the significance of His pending birth, to recognize and cherish Mary’s tiny baby as the anointed of our Lord. Can I concentrate on the meaning of His arrival on earth? I pray to be wise and alert, not foolish and unprepared, as I remember the maidens described by Jesus in Matthew 25:1-14.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” said the Lord (Zechariah 4:6b) in Zechariah’s fifth vision, which anticipated the restoration of the Jewish community. In that same Spirit, Jesus came among us to show and to be the way, the road to the Kingdom of God. Now the rest is up to you and me. To enter His Kingdom, we must be wed to the Bridegroom, forsaking all others as we follow Him. “Others” can be whatever comes between me and my Lord, such as family responsibilities, civic duties or career demands. May God forgive my foolish ways, and help me to be God-centered. May I focus on Christ’s exemplary life as described in the Bible. May I recognize and serve our Lord at all times and in all places. And may His Holy Spirit help me to be ever ready for the fulfillment of His Kingdom.
Cecile Torbergsen
Friday, December 21, 2007
Zechariah 7:8-8:8; Revelation 5:6-14; Matthew 25:14-30;
Psalms: Morning 40, 54; Evening 51
We are almost to the end of Advent, the period of anticipation and waiting for the miraculous birth. The title of this series of meditations is The Trail Ends at Bethlehem. Does it really end at Bethlehem or is Bethlehem the beginning?
How do we, as Episcopalian Christians, view God? Do we accept, without question, the wrathful God as portrayed in Zechariah or do we embrace the God as revealed in Jesus Christ? Do we struggle with why God would use an infant to become the Savior of the world?
My belief is that God used an infant so that we understand that our faith is not full-grown but always growing and evolving. It is my hope that, as we grow in Christ, we remember that even "He" started as an infant and grew to adulthood, struggling with some of the same issues with which we struggle.
On a personal note: A year ago tomorrow, Dale lost a mother and I lost a mother-in-law (Mary Brown). In June, we lost Dale's brother Lee and in August, Lee's wife Ginger. To say this has been a difficult few months would be an understatement. Through all of this, my faith sustains me. I am eternally grateful to a God who loves unconditionally.
I ask again, does the trail end or begin at Bethlehem?
Shalom,
Terry Brown
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Zechariah 8:9-17; Revelation 6:1-17; Matthew 25:31-46;
Psalms: Morning 55; Evening 138, 139
On the One Hand…
On the one hand, the LORD of Hosts is determined to punish when “your fathers provoked ME to wrath.”
Zechariah 8:14b
On the other hand, the LORD of Hosts is determined to do good…do not fear. Zechariah 8:15
Our part? Speak truth. Think no evil against our neighbor. Do not love a lie. Those are things God hates. Zechariah 8:17b
In Matthew’s gospel when the Son of Man comes and all the nations are gathered before him He will separate them from one another.
On His right hand the sheep to inherit the Kingdom.
On His left hand the goats to everlasting fire.
Our part? We are to feed the hungry; visit those sick or in prison; offer comfort to strangers.
On the one hand there is everlasting punishment.
On the other hand there is eternal life.
Let us all take a step in the ‘right’ direction
The LORD of Hosts is determined to do you good!
Linda Mejias
Advent Week 4 Instructions
Light two purple candles and the pink candle. Read the following as you light the final purple candle on the Advent Wreath:
Reading for lighting the fourth candle on the Advent wreath.
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP, page 212.
Turn to the page for today.
Read the Old Testament lesson.
Read the first Psalm.
Read the Epistle.
Read the second Psalm.
Read the Gospel.
Read the Meditation.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
Put out the candles.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Genesis 3:8-15; Revelation 12:1-10; John 3:16-21;
Psalms: Morning 24, 29; Evening 8, 84
For God so loved the world…
It is very likely that you can fill in the rest of that verse – John 3:16 – without looking it up. And if not don’t worry, but if there is any verse in the Bible you might want to commit to memory, this would be a good one. John 3:16 summarizes the entire message of the Gospel in one very memorable line. Two days before Christmas, two days before we begin our annual cycle of telling the story of Jesus all over again, I want to pay attention to the way this story begins, because beginnings very often have a whole lot to do with endings.
For God so loved the world…
This is a love story. This is a love story about our creator God working in human history through Jesus to know us, to keep us safe, to love us. This is a love story about an all-powerful God who risks complete vulnerability as a baby, a child and a man to reach us. The Gospel is not about coercion or demands or retribution or wrath or power or control; it is a love story.
For God so loved the world…
This is good news.
Rev. Brian Grantz
Monday, December 24, 2007
Baruch 4:36:5:9; Isaiah 59:15b-21; Galatians 3:23-4:7;
Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 1:18-25;
Psalms: Morning 45, 46; Evening 89:1-29
Am I Adopted?
I have 3 nieces and 1 nephew—two of which I share a similar genetic profile and 2 of which I do not. The love, pride, and compassion that I feel for the adopted ones are no less than what I feel for the others. They are all equally loved in my heart and bring me great joy. I cannot separate them.
But, in one respect, we do share the exact same heritage—even though our gene pools are different. We, self included, have all been adopted—adopted as sons and daughters—on this eve of fulfilled promise. “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”[Gal.4:4, 5] “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”[Gal. 3:27, 29]
Today is the eve of God’s greatest gift to us—the birth of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. By acknowledging and accepting God’s Gift to us, we ourselves become adopted, born again. We also become true heirs of promise—a King’s Kid!
So, what does it mean to you to be an heir of promise, a King’s Kid? Are you living into your new birth-right, your potential?
Are you adopted?
Karen Roberts
Christmas Day Instructions
Light three purple candles and the pink candle. Read the following as you light the Christmas candle on the Advent Wreath:
Reading for lighting the Christmas candle on the Advent wreath.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. BCP, page 212.
Turn to the page for today.
Read the Old Testament lesson.
Read the first Psalm.
Read the Epistle.
Read the Gospel.
Read the Meditation.
Say the Lord’s Prayer.
Put out the candles.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20; Psalm 96
“But Mary treasured all these words and
pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
One of the nice things about being the editor is that I can make artistic changes. The lessons above come from the main lectionary rather than the daily lectionary as all the others do. The lesson from Luke IS the Christmas story where The Trail Ends At Bethlehem!!! I have always believed Luke got this story straight from Mary, the mother of Jesus.
For just a minute, join me as I walk the trail I walked 40 years ago. My grandmother, Mom as I called her, lived on 5 acres next door to our 10 acres. Mom was clearly one of my matriarchs. She did not drive so she and I rode in the back of the car to church. Occasionally, I would ask a basic theological question coming home and we would discuss it. I remember she once went home and typed the definitions of a couple of words used in the 1928 BCP just so I had the right answer.
In 1967, we attended the midnight mass at St. Marks in Shreveport. Our family took up the whole pew, but I sat next to Mom. As the service started, an older woman asked to sit with us. When we got to “Angels We Have Heard On High”, I proudly demonstrated I had enough wind to the refrain in two breaths. I saw a look on Mom’s face I had never seen before that night. After the hymn, the woman told Mom (as if I were not standing there) she enjoyed my voice. Mom got that look on her face again. On Christmas Day, I saw the look a third time when we sang the hymn at my uncle’s house. The ride home was the last time I saw my grandmother alive. To this day, I can see Mom with that look on her face at my uncle’s house.
What Christmas memories do you treasure and ponder?
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit and
Merry Christmas,
Wes McComb