The Word became flesh and dwelt among us

  

Scripture: 
Isaiah 61:10-62:3  • 
 
Psalm 148  • 
 
Galatians 4:4-7  •
 
John 1:1-14


It is appropriate, as we begin the first week of Christmas, that John's gospel is our text this week, opening with "In the beginning was the Word," λόγος , logos, in Greek. This week we learn more about the nature of The Word made flesh, who lives - not just lives- among us, but who tabernacles with us, full of grace and truth, the meaning of grace and truth. And the gift, as well as the giver, and what that means for us. See The Rev. Edward Marquart's "The Word Became Flesh."


Just how much do we mean to God, and each other? Especially in these times. What can we rely on so we do not lose our way? See The Rev. Whitney Rice's "In the beginning..." She concludes  with "This is why scripture matters so much. Because when real life comes crashing in, when the divorce papers are served, when the job loss happens, when the cancer or Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes through, we have to have somewhere to anchor our souls. And we do, in a few simple words a man named John wrote a very long time ago. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The hard knocks of life plus the poetry of scripture give us the chance to build our lives so that we become a word of poetry ourselves, one little phrase expressed by the great Word that is God." 


The Rev. Cannon Anna Sutterisch says the birth and life of Christ transforms the relationship of God and humanity in "Right Relationship ." Dan Clendenin challenges us to mean what we say or routinely recite in "Ox and Ass Before him bow."

Say Yes to God

 Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11  • Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24   • John 1:6-8, 19-28

As we prepare for the Lord's coming, we are reminded that this time of year can be a sad and lonely time for many. A local Catholic church offers a blue mass service for those low in spirit, lonely, depressed, down and out. As we wait and prepare with expectant hope, this week we are invited to share in the joy of the Lord's coming - in the midst of our human condition - amidst times of turmoil, violence, illness, troubles and woes.

As Jesus began his mission, he unrolled the scroll and read from this week's passage in Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners." Isaiah wrote to those returning from the exile of captivity. Returning to the ruins of their homeland. In the midst of those ruins, with great joy the prophet and the Israelites returned, thankful and filled with the promise of restoration.

Psalm 126 shouts of that joy of restoration in every verse, and Luke's Song of Mary, the god bearer (Θεοτοκος) is full of joy as her "soul does magnify the Lord." Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians enjoined them to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for us.

Consider the contrasts, and experience the hope and joy in Daniel Berrigan's, Advent Credo, Steve Goodier's "Surprised by Joy," and Melissa Bane Servier's "Joy?" Read Debie Thomas's "Mary's Song."

 When you have time, read C.S. Lewis' book, Surprised by Joy.

Preparing the Way of the Lord

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11  • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13  • 2 Peter 3:8-15a   • Mark 1:1-8

After last week's apocalyptic passage from Mark, we have the first verse, or introduction, to Mark in this week's gospel. Mark starts with "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," seizes on the writings of the prophet Isaiah, and introduces us to John the Baptist, a voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the path, preparing the way for the Lord, proclaiming a baptism of repentance by water, for the forgiveness of sins. We await the coming of the Lord, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Mark speaks of preparation for the Lord's coming, the author of 2 Peter urges patience and endurance as we wait. Contrasted with last week's cry from Isaiah of "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, " the prophet says, "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God," and he says that the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd, gathering the lambs, carrying them gently in his bosom, and gently leading the mother sheep.

In violent and unsettled times, considering John the Baptist's ministry of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, Kathleen Norris, in "Mercy, Me," asks "Can it be that mercy really is at the heart of God?  In "I Want to Be Ready, " Steve Goodier suggests ways to prepare for the future we are called to. In "Leftovers," Melissa Bane Servier suggests that in the re-imagining, re-emergence of our faith tradition, is a coming anew of God, creating anew, "taking those beautiful flavors of the ancient past and delivering them to us in ever-new ways," - sort of like living anew that glorious feast of Thanksgiving, and the leftovers of all of the wonderful memories, people, stories, aromas and blessings of our lives.

In "Comfort My People," Debie Thomas asks where do we look for comfort? She says the context of the Scripture finds us in a hard place. What an eye and heart opener to know God is with us in hard places. 

What is Advent? What does it mean?

  Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19  • 1 Corinthians 1:3-9  • Mark 13:24-37

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and the first Sunday of Lectionary Year B. We light candles in this season of  waiting, hope, peace and love, as we await the coming of the Christ child, and Christ's coming again. We prepare in the darkness of our own time. In the midst of pandemic, separation and hyper partisanship. It seems almost apocalyptic. Why does Kathleen Morris call her article "Apocalpse Now?"

In "Advent Alchemy," John Stendahl urges us not to choose indifference or resignation in the seasons of our lives as we take care to note the shape of the darkness in which our candles burn. Instead prepare for the Lord's coming by anticipating the good which will come, and shining when and where the light is most needed. 

To be ready to receive the most precious gift of the Christ child, we must first confront truth, give up denial, selfishness, and all things destructive of shalom. And be patient and responsible as we wait - wait, in hope, for healing, reconciliation, and the awesome gift of God's peace. Read "Because You Hid Yourself," by Debie Thomas. 

Finally, consider a short reading about Advent Candles. See Melissa Banes Sevier's "One Candle."