Ruins are not what we think of on Christmas. We try to make the day beautiful, the memories bright, the laughter fill the air, but we all have places in our lives that don't fit our pretty little picture and we live in a world that sometimes makes no sense at all. On the grounds of Kell's Priory we stumbled upon construction; rubble sifted neatly into piles with some of the older stones affixed with a thin grey line of cement. Interesting that the local name for the priory was "Seven Castles." We, too, are building a castle, though it is not always fit for a King. As Christmas approaches I wonder if we could sift the rubble in our hearts and souls asking the One who made us and knows us to give us wisdom and grace to work on the reconstruction; if we do not  we may find ourselves tripping on the chaos inside us and in the world around us.

Medicine from Ancient Writing:
"Show forth in your life much gentleness, much purity, for we have a King who beholds all our actions continually."
St. John Chrysostom Homilies on St. John Homily V.4 NPNF1: 14.25

BUILDING WELL

 

 

Piles of gingerbread house pieces line the messy countertops as the fragrance of cloves swirls in the air.

Simple traditions fill the days as we prepare for Christmas. Years of baking and assembling these houses with friends and family remind me of the holy call of the season:

I ask God for the grace to help me build well-

A holy dwelling for the King of Kings, a heart filled with grace and truth, a life of love and mercy.

We can only bring the hope we have to those who are hopeless;

We can only light a candle in another’s darkened heart if the

Light resides in ours.

I long for the light of the world to come and warm the hearts of those I love, of those who are hurting in this world.

Diane Hallenbeck 2012

 
"The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

CRANBERRY BREAD AND THE GIFT

"Do not let the sun go down on your anger." How can one really live this way?  The emotions, all the stress, the challenges and disappointments take a toll on us and somehow we are to navigate expectation and longing, loneliness and grief all in this season. I stood at my kitchen window, morning sun skimming off the pond, wondering how to not let my emotions define my whole being. What if years have gone down on my anger, never mind the day? Slowly, sorting the berries for bread, I realized that inside I have sifting to do- not every emotion is something to build on; some need to be washed and included, some let go of and some thrown away- not fit for use. Looking back at the ruins of childhood I see anger, sadness, and shame. What a gift. Feel the emotions for sure, but then, after seeing they do not belong in my life I can let them go, hang onto hope and dance in the day I've been given.


Soul Medicine from Ancient Writing
"The reason the devil plunges us into thoughts of despair is that he may cut off the hope which is towards God, the safe anchor, the foundation of our life, the guide of the way which leads to heaven, the salvation of perishing souls. "For by hope," it is said, "we are saved." For this hope is like some strong cord suspended from the heavens supporting our souls and drawing us to heaven."

Chrysostom Fourth Century Letters To The Fallen Theodore Letter 1 NPNF1:9; 2.93