USHERED INTO THE NEW

Lingering in the last days and moments of the old year while waiting to usher in the new, I wonder. I wonder what awaits me? Changes, yes. New year's resolutions, no. I hardly ever make a list on the eve of the year to mark all the things that I will do: weight to lose, closets to clean, goals to accomplish, it all seems exhausting! Could it be more about how I will be in the coming season and less about what I will do.

What if the New Year was about fruitfulness and how the King has called me to yield fruit as I am planted by streams of water? Even though I live in New England and most streams have frozen still, I am somehow aware that being productive is important. Being able to bear fruit that will last looks like something, even in winter's chill. The streams of living water that refresh the soul (John 4: 4-15) are within, and maybe my goal in the coming year needs to be about making sure I can hear the water within my soul running free and clear; the world, with all its clamoring and clutter stops up the river at times. All that we value and hold dear too often costs us dearly.


Our world prizes prosperity; and yet, it often appears preposterous that we should seek and save for all this accumulation when the King came and emptied Himself and gave. What has He given to us that we might use to yield a harvest? What if, at the end of this year, we consider what we bring to the world rather than what we can gain or accomplish, or order and organize?

If I started with love, how would the world look, how would my world be different? It might be a little kinder and gentler and less about me and my lists. It could be something far greater than me, it might be about changing the world with the love I've been given. Life always begins in the small things; the "little way of love" is a simple and supremely challenging path to begin at the cusp of the New Year.

Come join me on the journey to a better you- oddly enough it begins in the heart and with love. You are loved, delighted in, rejoiced over and you can walk in confidence because God is with you. He is a mighty God and we love because He first loved us. Try it and see; no matter what your situation, circumstance, relationships, begin to bring love and watch what happens. It may not be easy, but take a big leap this year, and remember, "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." And, "Love never fails," 1 Corinthians 13:7-8.

Medicine from Sacred Scriptures:

"The Lord your God is with you,

 He is mighty to save.

 He will take great delight in you, 

He will quiet you with His love, 

He will rejoice over you with singing." 

Zephaniah 3:17

ADVENT'S KING

May the Good News bring you great joy; it is for all people.

Light shatters

Darkness flees

Heaven's glory invades humanity.

Love descends

Hope soars

As we bow to adore

The King of Kings

The Prince of Peace

His the Kingdom that will never cease.

dhallenbeck 12/17

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Luke 2:11

ADVENT'S LIGHT

Our home rang with laughter and was crowded with dear friends last night, but the candles remained unlit. I doubt anyone noticed, but I felt a certain sadness at the end of the evening for missing that detail. I had hoped for that perfect holiday cheer, with candles and food and beautifully set tables, instead it was chaos and joy and only a chandelier reflected into the dark of the night. But maybe this is the essence of Christmas: light shines forth into the darkness, not candles, but light refelcted from us for the joy of the world.

What a beautiful truth. "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin," 1 John 1:5-7

John's words echo from his Gospel:

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness  has not understood it...

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world," 

John 1:4-5, 9

The fellowship in our home did not need the light of candles. It was fellows walking together, sharing the light of God. Kindness and gentleness poured forth from lives intertwined by years of memories shared.

I wonder, do we bring the light of God to the world by the kindness we show?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"The King is everywhere present, and observes what is done...let us show forth in our life much gentleness, much purity, for we have a King who beholds all our actions continually. In order then that this light  may ever richly enlighten us, let us gladly accept these bright beams, for so shall we enjoy both the good things present and those to come, through the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ."

St. John Chrysostom

Homily VI on John 14.25

ADVENT'S ANGELS

Botticelli's Madonna. Glory and beauty pours into Mary's heart as the angel Gabriel descends and frightens her, makes astonishing announcements, and then he leaves her to live her ordinary extraordinary life. I wonder did she sense the heavenly presence in her days expecting her first born Son? And when He was born into the world, did she see angels hovering?

I miss the angels at times, I miss the holy in the ordinary. His presence and peace within is muted and muffled by the push and pull of the weight of the world. Why, I wonder, do I carry these burdens when the burden carrier comes and carries me.

The handmaiden of the Lord carries the Shepherd who carries and leads her.

"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, 

and His arm rules for Him. 

See, His reward is with Him

 and His recompense accompanies Him.

He tends His flock like a Shepherd: 

He gathers His lambs in His arms and He carries them close to His heart; 

He gently leads those who are with young." 

Isaiah 40:10-11

The Savior comes announced by angels and worshiped by the same. Am I aware of the angels' presence in my days (they are ministering spirits sent to serve us Hebrews 1:14)?

And do I feel the beat of the Shepherd's heart as He carries me.


Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"When God brings His first-born into the world, He says, 

'Let all God's angels worship Him.'" 

Hebrews 1:6

ADVENT'S CALL TO ARISE

Waking in the dark mornings of Advent is a challenge. Rising and setting out, putting my feet onto the cold ground, is neither inviting nor comforting; at times my soul feels like this in the world- I'd rather stay wrapped up in my comfortable prayers than face the harsh reality of the world we live in. Yesterday's church service was full of despair: the cold Christians in Jordan needing blankets as the Middle East continues to persecute God's people, a 35 year old husband died unexpectedly and left his wife, of just one year, planning his funeral during the days before Christmas, sisters and brothers struggle with addiction and the world keeps breaking around me like glass in the dark night. Lives and nations, peoples and places cry out, my heart cries out, for hope, for light, for peace.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, 

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, 

but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you."

 Isaiah 60:1-2

Light comes. It always comes into darkness- into the deep darkness of morning slumber, into senseless violence in a war-torn world where terror reigns, and even into the dark despair of our own hearts as we try to tip-toe through the minefields of broken relationships and unmet expectations. Hope comes. It catches us by surprise- a "feel good news story," a humanitarian's good deeds coming to our attention, a story of God meeting a friend in need with His presence. It is astonishing how our hearts betray us into believing. Eternity, set in my heart, will open the door for heaven's hush to heal me.

I most long for peace, the quiet confidence that all will be well and I can relax. I unexpectedly awoke this morning with that peace. It was shocking really, to wake and not feel the rising panic of the to-do list, or the sinking feeling of not having done enough; they are the see-saw I live on emotionally most days. Peace steadies me and helps me become aware of the glory waiting to rise upon me. 

Today light came, and hope and peace quieted every murmuring noise within. A King is coming bearing gifts for all people. What is it you are most in need of this Advent?

Medicine from Sacred Writings:

"I promise you a Kingdom 

and let present things be the ground of your trust, your trust in Me." 

St. John Chrysostom 

 Homily II on Eutropius

ADVENT'S TEACHER

Trees bow low, branches break under summer sun while peaches ripen. The harvest waited and few noticed the gold of the small firm fruit. A friend invited me to pick in a neighbor's little orchard and I reveled in the sweetness of the deal- it was free! Jam could be made without a price paid; I struggled to carry the overflowing basket of nature's gift. I thought of the peaches today as I pondered Advent's Teacher.


I wonder, with Mary's yes, the cost of the fruit in her soul? The glory, yes, in moments remembering the angel's announcement, and in visiting Elizabeth to share the pregnant moment together. But what of the quiet times- the silent treatment from Joseph, the sidelong glances from relatives as she carried the heavy weight of the Son within, what price did she pay to hold heaven here?

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 

or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord

 and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

which yields its fruit in season 

and whose leaf does not wither." 

Psalm 1:1-3

 What is the cost in my soul as I bend under the weight of His glory in me? Roots going down into this stream are pure gold: love, peace, acceptance all soak up grace and a life of blessedness unfurls and unfolds in beautiful moments of holy joy. The branches that break as His life takes root in me? Many. Anger, selfishness, pride- the awareness of it exposes the barrenness in me.

I thought the Christ-Child would be my teacher this Advent season, an easy lesson on laying down my burdens, because His are easy and light. No, it appears Mary comes to teach me to accept and embrace the One who comes to make His home in me as well.

Will I rest where He has planted me, rooted and grounded in love, knowing the streams of living water run at the cost of His life, a ransom for many, a Mighty Redeemer is He.

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"This is what the Lord says-

your Redeemer,

The Holy One of Israel;

'I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go."

Isaiah 48:17

ADVENT'S HELP

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber."

 Psalm 121

We have snow now: marketing snow that gets skiers to the mountains and also real snow, snow and ice and cold. And a car frozen in our driveway. A friend needed help getting unstuck, so we found ice-melt and poured it liberally around her tires, trusting it would do the trick. The black ice was still nasty to navigate with old summer tires, but she'll get there.

I wonder where I can find ice-melt for my heart?  My heart is sometimes stuck in grief, remembering those I have loved and lost; I also spin in the every day, "should do this, need to do that." And it's frozen by media, terrorism, trauma and stories; people's suffering weighs on me as I wade through the world. I forget the most basic news. Not fake news, not CBS, NBC, FOX or CNN or even BBC. It is the Good News that there is great joy for all people. That God watches over us and He has come to help us. 

The way forward is to lift our eyes and look for help. God is with us, Emmanuel, and He does not want us to be afraid. We can relax and stop spinning the anxious wheels in our heads. We can trust the One who made the heavens and the earth, He is not sleeping on the job; He sees the chaos and the turmoil, the evil and the sin and He enters in bringing joy. Perhaps joy is the ice-melt for our hearts. 

A Babe in a manger reaches out His hand to you and offers you His gentle presence. And His help. You do not need to be afraid. 

Medicine from Sacred Scripture:

"For I am the Lord your God,

 who takes hold of your right and and says,

 'Do not fear; I will help you. 

Do not be afraid...

for I myself will help you,' 

declares the Lord, your Redeemer,

 the Holy One of Israel." 

Isaiah 41:13-14