POWER OUTAGE

High winds are sweeping the country - including Clear Creek County, home of Georgetown, Colorado!

Out of caution for safety (high winds, power lines down, fire) Xcel is turning off the power in many areas on Friday morning at 5:30 a.m.  No word yet on how long the outage will last.

We're all set here at my sister's and bro-in-law's home - especially with the wood stove!

All our devices will be charged up but if you don't find my usual posts here - now you know why! (And that's why I won't be responding to email, voice mail, texts, etc.)

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 12/19

A 64 year old photo of my family's first Christmas with my brother, John, who was only 10 days old that Christmas morn.  John was definitely the best present we all received that year!  My mother is holding him, my sister Ruth is on the left and my father is behind the camera.  These three children miss their loving parents who have gone home to God...  

When Christmas taps a sad place in my heart:

    stir up the joys of Christmas past

    and help me find again, Lord,

    the hidden, healing, gracious peace 

    my precious memories hold and keep

    'til I rejoice as once I did,

    so many years ago...

Amen. 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: THURSDAY 12/18

My friend, John McGinty, posted this on his Facebook page:

Are you keeping the season of Advent this year? Advent is such a gift to us.  As you're trying to live Advent this year, moving toward celebrating the incarnation of God at Bethlehem, in a child named Jesus... as you look to the manger, in that place and that moment... for what are you hoping, now, specifically this year, in and for this blessed and trembling world?

 

You go first . . . .

Here's my reply...

 

I'm looking for, waiting for 

    praying for and hoping for 

       the grace we all need 

    to open our arms, our eyes and our ears, 

        our hearts and our souls, 

            our minds and our imaginations, 

    to all the ways Jesus comes every day 

        to be born again, in our world, in our prayer,  

            in our words and our deeds

    with the peace that is only his to give,

        the peace he gives us to make and to share... 

  

Is anything more desired, more welcome, 

    more wanted and needed, 

        more gracious and fruitful, 

    more powerful and challenging, 

        more consoling and compassionate, 

            sweeter and gentler 

    than the promise of Jesus, 

        the advent of Jesus, 

            the presence of Jesus right by my side, 

        behind and before me, 

            above and below me, 

                around and within me 

        to lift up and hold me, 

            to heal and restore me, 

                support and sustain me

        and kindle again the fire of his love

            in the whole of the world around me,

                with justice and mercy, in peace...

Are you keeping the season, the gift of Advent this year? As you're moving toward celebrating the incarnation of God at Bethlehem, in a child named Jesus... as you look to the manger, in that place and that moment... for what are you hoping, now, specifically this year, in and for this blessed and trembling world?

 

You go next . . . .

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen. 

 

What I'm Waiting For by Doe Jones

 

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I’m waiting on a word only You can speak 

I’m waiting on a wind only You can breathe 

Sounds like healing, freedom, resting, revelation 

I’m waiting on a word only You can speak 

 

So come on Word and Spirit 

Come on move the mountain 

Lead us through the desert 

Lead us to the fountain 

Springs of living water leave me thirsty no more 

I know what I’m waiting for 

I know what I’m waiting for

 

I’m waiting on a wave only You can break 

I’m waiting on a move only You can make 

It looks like Heaven, pouring out The Kingdom coming down 

I’m waiting on a wave only You can break 

 

Refrain 

 

Your voice, Your voice is canceling out 

The noise The noise 

I'm drawn to the sound

Your voice, Your voice is canceling out  

The noise The noise 

I'm drawn to the sound

 

Chorus 

 

I'm waiting on a word only You can speak
I'm waiting on a wind only You can bring
Sounds like healing, freedom
Resting, revelation
I'm waiting on a word only You can speak

 

So come on, Word and Spirit
Come on, move the mountain
Lead us through the desert
Lead us to the fountain
Springs of living water, leave me thirsty no more
I know what I'm waiting 
I know what I'm waiting for

 

I'm waiting on a wave only You can bring, 
I'm waiting on a move only You can make
And it looks like Heaven pouring out
Your Kingdom coming down
I'm waiting on a wave only You can bring

 

Chorus 

Your voice, Your voice
Is cancelling out
The noise, the noise
I'm drawn to the sound 

Oh, I know what I'm waiting for
I know what I'm waiting for
I know what I'm waiting for
I know what I'm waiting for 

 

Chorus 

 
Oh, I know what I'm waiting for 
I know what I'm waiting for
Oh, You are what I'm waiting for
You are what I'm waiting for...

 

You are, you are, you are

what I'm waiting for 

 

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Up for a deep dive into Christmas?

Would you like to dig a little deeper into the story of Jesus' birth - and learn a lot more? 

In a recent post I invited you to read through and study the Christmas story as we find it in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

But wait! There's more! 

I just came across an excellent offering from the Clough School of Theology and Minstry at Boston College.  The Birth of Jesus: Two Narratives is a mini-course written and narrated by  Philip. Cunningham, former Executive Director of Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at BC.

It begins with a look at how Catholic tradition and recent biblical scholarship understand the origins of the Gospels and their interpretation. This is followed by a comparison of the nativity accounts in Matthew and Luke. The last part looks at: the infancy narratives in relation to history, their theological lessons, and reflections on how they inform the Christian faith in our world today.

 

If you take some time with this, you'll understand the strategic differences between and intentions in these two images of the nativity of Jesus...

 

 The story of the birth of Christ is so much deeper, richer, comforting and challenging that any of its popular presentations and understandings.  Do yourself a favor and dive a little deeper into this central mystery of our faith.

 

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So, you think you know the Christmas story?

 

 

Yes, of course - we all know the story of the birth of Jesus!  It's very likely the first story from the bible that we were taught. We sing about it. We set up miniature representations of it in our homes - and larger ones in churches.  Of course we know the story of the Nativity... but, did you know:
- that Luke, our major source of the story of Christ's birth, does not mention the Magi - who only appear in Matthew? 

- that the scriptures don't mention a stable or a cave - just a feed-box (manger)?
- that Joseph had four significant dreams regarding the birth and early life of Jesus?
- that both Matthew and Luke include a genealogy of Jesus - and that they're not the same?
- that neither Mark nor John make any mention at all of the birth of Jesus?

 

Did you know:

There are different readings for the Four Masses of Christmas celebrated at the Vigil, in the Night, at Dawn, and in the Day.  The Vigil Mass is celebrated in the late afternoon or early evening on Christmas Eve. The Mass in the Night was traditionally celebrated at midnight but in many places now (including the Vatican) it is celebrated around 10:00 p.m. (or earlier) on Christmas Eve.  The Mass at Dawn will be the first on the schedule on Christmas morning while later Masses will use the readings for Mass in the Day.  Note:  each parish will determine the application of these possibilities to the local schedule.

Did you know:

One way to prepare for celebrating Christmas is to take a look at how the four gospels present the birth, the origin of Christ.  This post collects and provides those texts for you, below.

 A little comparative study here may provide some surprises - and give you some good trivia questions for Christmas gatherings!

The gospel texts of the Christmas story follow here:

St. Luke by Peter Wilke

 

Luke
Chapter 2

In Chapter 1 Luke tells of the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, the announcement of the birth of Jesus, and Mary's visit with Elizabeth when they were pregnant with Jesus and John. In Chapter 2 Luke provides the material for what most of us think of as the Christmas story - although Luke makes no mention of the Star and the Magi coming with their gifts.  In Chapter 3, Luke offers a genealogy of Jesus, just after the account of the beginning of Christ's public ministry as an adult.

1

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.

2

This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3

So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

4

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5

to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,

7

and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.

9

The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

10

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

11

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.

12

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

13

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

14

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

15

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

16

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

17

When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

18

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.

19

And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

20

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

21

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,

23

just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,"

24

and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

25

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.

26

It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.

27

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

28

he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

29

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,

30

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31

which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,

32

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."

33

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;

34

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted

35

(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

37

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

38

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

39

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

St. Matthew by Peter Wilke 

 

Matthew
Chapter 1
Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus and tells the story of his birth through the experience and four dreams of Joseph.  Matthew is our only source for the story of the Star, the Magi and their gifts.

18

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit.

19

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.

20

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.

21

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

22

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

23

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us."

24

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

25

He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Chapter 2

1

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,

2

saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

3

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

5

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

6

'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

7

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.

8

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

9

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

10

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,

11

and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

13

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him."

14

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

15

He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

16

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

17

Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

18

"A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."

19

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt

20

and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."

21

He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.

22

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee.

23

He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean."

St. John by Peter Wilke

 

John
Although there is no Nativity narrative in John, his gospel does treat of the origin of the Word made flesh, in Chapter 1.

1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2

He was in the beginning with God.

3

All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be

4

through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;

5

the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6

A man named John was sent from God.

7

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

8

He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

9

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.

11

He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

12

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name,

13

who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God.

14

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.

St. Mark by Peter Wilke

 

Mark
There is no Nativity narrative or reference in Mark's gospel. Chapter 1 begins with the preaching of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry.

 

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Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 12/18

 

Christmas is a week from today...  Here's my prayer for those of us who are grieving in this season, missing those who used to gather with us around the tree...   I'll post it again next week...  Please share this with any who might find it helpful...

There's an empty chair near the tree, Lord,
and an ache in our hearts,
and tears on our cheeks...

We'll  try to shield one another
from the loss and the grief we bear
but we know we can't hide it from you...

We pray for 

    (name the loved ones you're remembering)
whose presence we miss so much
    in these days meant for peace and for joy....

Open our hearts, our minds and our souls
    to your healing, and the warmth and light
         of your presence...

We pray and we trust that those we miss
    are now in the place you prepared for them:
        their home in your heart of hearts...

Gently open our hearts, Lord,
    to memories of all the love we shared
        with those who've gone before us...

Help us tell the stories that draw us back

    to Christmases shared with the ones we miss...

Teach us to lean on you and each other
    for the strength we need
        to walk through this season a day at a time...

 
Be with us as, Lord, as we trim the tree

    and sing and cry through Christmas carols;
help us find and open the present you bring:
    a gracious gift from the Prince of Peace...

Give us quiet moments with you, this week,

    calm our restless hearts in prayer;

bless our memories, stories and tears 

    with hope of finding joy in your birth...

Be with us, Lord, and hold us as close
    as you're holding our loved ones,

        slipped from our arms into yours...

Help us look to the day when we'll meet again
    when your mercy gathers us home to you
        in the joy of the life you promise...

Christmas - a day that you've made, Lord -
    a day of promise, of love and grace!
Help us find in this day and the year ahead
    your blessing of peace and joy...

Amen.

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 12/17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come...

Mark 13:33 

Teach me to watch, Lord:
    to stay awake,
    to keep vigil,

    to be alert, on my toes, 
    and to wait for you
    as night waits for dawn...

 

Teach me to watch
    for your approach,
    your drawing near,
    your coming up alongside me,     

    your falling in by my side 
    - especially when I least expect you...

 

Teach me, Lord, to watch
    for your advent,
    your arrival,

    for your showing up,

    your presence, 
    your surprise appearances

    in my life

    - especially when I'm least expecting you.. 

Teach me to watch
    for signs of your grace 

        in my day-to-day existence,
        in the lives of those around me,

        in the daily news,

            regardless of how bad it is 
        and everywhere, Lord, 

            in the whole of your creation...

 

Teach me to watch
    for the light of your word,
    for your hand upon my shoulder,
    for your healing touch,
    for your mysterious, amazing

        and elusive presence...

 

Teach me, Lord, to watch, 

    for your warm fingerprints

    on everything, everywhere I turn

    and especially on my heart... 

 

Teach me to watch for you

    when it seems you'll never come

        or when I give up waiting for you; 
    when I fear that you've forgotten me

        and when I've forgotten you...

Teach me to watch:
    with eyes of faith,
    with a hopeful heart,
    and with a humble, trusting spirit...

Teach me to watch for you, Lord,
for I know you're there:
    making yourself known,
    revealing yourself in so many ways,
    inviting me to desire you,
    prompting me to seek you,
    leading me to find you...

Teach me to watch for you, Lord,

    who so faithfully watch over me                                                                                               all day long and through the night, 

    never blinking, never nodding,

        always by my side...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch for you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen. 

Watch Over Me by Aaron Shust

 

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I was lonely
You came waltzing over to me
And Your eyes they saw right through me
And You heard each one of my cries for help
And You came to rescue me

 
I was broken
Every prayer that I had spoken
Reached Your ears and all my tears weren't cried in vain
You carried all my pain
And put me back together again

 
You watch over me in the darkest valleys
You watch over me when the night seems long
You help me to see the way before me
You watch over me; You watch over me

 
Always faithful
To be leading, at this moment
Interceding for Your children
Though I've wandered astray from Your infinite ways
You've never left me alone 

 

Refrain

 

Take this frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me

Take this frozen heart; awaken me
Never once have You forsaken me

 

Refrain

 
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will guide and defend me
You'll guard and protect me
Even though I walk through this shadow of death
You will lead me home

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