Okay, this is my favorite time of year. That week to a week and a half between Thankgiving and December. I don't know why. I guess cuz it's time to start celebrating Christmas (my halls are already decked to the hilt) but not quite crunch time. I mean, once you're into December there is just so much to do: Christmas shopping must be completed, Christmas trees must be gathered. And of course, for those of us who have worked for churches, it's also crunch time to finalize what the heck is going on during those two endless days of services... And now, as a student, throw in two weeks of study days, exams, papers, and endless nights with friends trying to figure out what the heck is going on over breaks, before, during and after.
Anyway, this miraculous weeks without all that stuff is my favorite because it is also the first week to pull out all those Christmas CDs, DVDs, and of course, those rusty VHSs that were taped from Christmas specials on TV (or am I the only one to have those?)...
Here are two songs from my favorite "John Denver and the Muppets, a Christmas Together:"
The Peace Carol
The garment of life, be it tattered and torn
The cloak of the soldier is weathered and worn
But what Child is this that was poverty-born
The peace of Christmas Day
The branch that bears the bright holly
The dove that rests in yonder tree
The light that shines for all to see
The peace of Christmas Day
The hope that has slumbered for two thousand years
A promise that silenced a thousand fears
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears
The peace of Christmas Day
The branch that bears the bright holly
The dove that rests in yonder tree
The light that shines for all to see
The peace of Christmas Day
Add all the grief that people may bear
Total the strife and the trouble and care
Put them in columns and leave them right there
The peace of Christmas Day
The branch that bears the bright holly
The dove that rests in yonder tree
The light that shines for all to see
The peace of Christmas Day
The branch that bears the bright holly
The dove that rests in yonder tree
The light that shines for all to see
The peace of Christmas Day
Bob Beers
and
A Wish for You
I don't know if you believe in Christmas,
or if you have presents underneath a Christmas tree.But if you believe in love,
that will be more than enough, f
or you to come and celebrate with me.For I have held the precious gift that love brings,
even though I never saw a Christmas star.I know there is a light.
I have felt it burn inside.
And I have seen it shining from afar.Christmas is the time to come together.
A time to put all differences aside.And I reach out my hand
to the family of man,
to share the joy I feel at Christmas time.For the truth that binds us all together,
I would like to say a simple prayer:That at this special time
you will have true peace of mind,
and peace to last throughout the coming year!
Happy Holidays all you peoples out there!
-jcm
Monday, November 27, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
They've re-written a classic...
...and this one ain't so bad...
I found this on some website last night. A congregation of Notre Dame sisters re-wrote the prayer of St. Francis (Make me a channel of your peace...) for modern times. I kinda like it:
Lord Jesus, give us an awarenessof the massive forces threatening our world.
Where there is armed conflict, let us stretch out our arms to our brothers and sisters.
Where there is abundance, let there be simple lifestyles and sharing.
Where there is poverty, let there be dignity and constant striving for justice.
Where there is selfish ambition, let there be humble service.
Where there is injustice, let there be atonement.
Where there is despair, let there be hope in the Good News.
Where there are wounds of division, let there be unity and wholeness.
Help us to be committed to the building of your kingdom,
not seeking to be cared for, but to care;
not expecting to be served, but to serve others;
not desiring material security, but placing our security in your love.
For it is only in loving imitation of you, our God,
that we can discover the healing springs of life to bring about new birth on our earth and hope for the world. Amen.
I found this on some website last night. A congregation of Notre Dame sisters re-wrote the prayer of St. Francis (Make me a channel of your peace...) for modern times. I kinda like it:
The New Prayer Attributed to St. Francis
Lord Jesus, give us an awarenessof the massive forces threatening our world.
Where there is armed conflict, let us stretch out our arms to our brothers and sisters.
Where there is abundance, let there be simple lifestyles and sharing.
Where there is poverty, let there be dignity and constant striving for justice.
Where there is selfish ambition, let there be humble service.
Where there is injustice, let there be atonement.
Where there is despair, let there be hope in the Good News.
Where there are wounds of division, let there be unity and wholeness.
Help us to be committed to the building of your kingdom,
not seeking to be cared for, but to care;
not expecting to be served, but to serve others;
not desiring material security, but placing our security in your love.
For it is only in loving imitation of you, our God,
that we can discover the healing springs of life to bring about new birth on our earth and hope for the world. Amen.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Greatly Confused...
Okay, I'm going to go slightly selfish in this one...
So, we had a GREAT discussion at campus ministry this week. It was just random questions (since my chaplain came without any pre-prepared discussion topic(s)). So, one of the questions was about his call: what was it like, did it turn out like he thought, when/how he got it, etc. His response really made me think about me. I have always known I was probably going to do something very involved in the Church. For forever I was following very blindly just "knowing" I was going to. But, lately I've been re-thinking it. And, even more recently, been thinking that I am really not sure anymore.
Then another question (which lasted over an hour) was about (as quoted directly from the question form) "sex and Christianity." We got a very involved and had a very deep, very good (in my opinion) discussion going. I was very pleased with it. But, then I realized that I don't think I want to accept a call--from God or not--into a church that still persecutes its members. That is, I realized as we talked, that the Lutheran church (less so the Episcopals) still persecutes sexual minorities and treats them as second-class citizens in the Kingdom. I don't think I want to be a part of that--and certainly not on the leadership of such an organization...
I thought I was confused before...now I'm just completely discouraged...
So, we had a GREAT discussion at campus ministry this week. It was just random questions (since my chaplain came without any pre-prepared discussion topic(s)). So, one of the questions was about his call: what was it like, did it turn out like he thought, when/how he got it, etc. His response really made me think about me. I have always known I was probably going to do something very involved in the Church. For forever I was following very blindly just "knowing" I was going to. But, lately I've been re-thinking it. And, even more recently, been thinking that I am really not sure anymore.
Then another question (which lasted over an hour) was about (as quoted directly from the question form) "sex and Christianity." We got a very involved and had a very deep, very good (in my opinion) discussion going. I was very pleased with it. But, then I realized that I don't think I want to accept a call--from God or not--into a church that still persecutes its members. That is, I realized as we talked, that the Lutheran church (less so the Episcopals) still persecutes sexual minorities and treats them as second-class citizens in the Kingdom. I don't think I want to be a part of that--and certainly not on the leadership of such an organization...
I thought I was confused before...now I'm just completely discouraged...
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Who From Their Labours Rest...
Eternal Rest Grant Them, O God.
May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Them.
Amen.
Today is All Saint's Day. Say a little prayer for those who have died in the past year (or more) and for those who still mourn. Feel free to leave their names here, I will be praying for the people on my list and would be more than glad to pray for your list(s) as well.
Dorothy
Gladys
Genny
Ginny
John
Joan
Roger of Taize
Larry
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!"
May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Them.
Amen.
Today is All Saint's Day. Say a little prayer for those who have died in the past year (or more) and for those who still mourn. Feel free to leave their names here, I will be praying for the people on my list and would be more than glad to pray for your list(s) as well.
Dorothy
Gladys
Genny
Ginny
John
Joan
Roger of Taize
Larry
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven!"
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