December '24

The First Sunday of Advent

December 1

Today is the First Sunday Advent. The first Sunday of the Church year.

I hope you can join us for worship at 9:00

The service will be posted online.

The Prayer of the Day:

Stir up your power,

Lord Christ,

and come.

By your merciful protection

awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins,

and keep us blameless

until the coming of your new day,

for you live and reign with the Father

and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

December 2

O sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Psalm 96:1

I’ve shared this quote from Walter Brueggemann before. We reflected on it during the season of Easter a few years ago. As a scholar of the Old Testament prophets, Dr. Brueggemann invites us to hear God’s call to justice in our walk with God in Jesus Christ.

I am not certain of the context of this quote, but it is a good one, and since Advent is a season of singing (granted it’s mostly Christmas music, but it is still a season of song) it seems to fit for us today.

"The new song never describes the world the way it now is.

The new song imagines how the world will be

in God’s good time to come.

The new song is a protest against the way the world now is.

The new song is refusal to accept the present world as it is,

a refusal to believe this is right

or that the present will last.

The church is always

at its most daring and risking

and dangerous and free

when it sings a new song.

Because then it sings

that the power of the gospel

will not let the world finally stay as it is."

Walter Brueggemann, A Gospel of Hope

Sing well this Advent! Pastor Phil

December 3

Keep awake therefore,

for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:23

I am thinking about some of the things we might do so that the season of Advent can be a gift to our walk with Christ. I suspect that, like Lent, Advent is a time to be a bit more faithful in our prayer and scripture reading.

Here is a quite interesting and provocative suggestion from UCC preacher, Martin Copenhaver:

Sometimes I think that Christmas, properly celebrated, would not be a fixed date on the calendar. It would not happen on the same day every year. It would be more like a surprise party. It would arrive when we least expect it. After all, no one knew when the Messiah was going to arrive, and we never really know when the spirit of Christ will be made known. It might be on a special holiday circled on our calendars, or it might not.

Imagine waking up each morning and thinking, "Perhaps this is the day. Perhaps this is Christmas." Then, perhaps, we would know that the arrival of Christ is not something we plan or arrange. It is a gift…

I think that is a very fun thought.

Perhaps Christmas will arrive for you today as a wonderful surprise and an overwhelming gift. May you keep your eyes open for the possibility!

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 4

So God created humankind in his image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them..

Genesis 1:27

Madeleine L’Engle is best known as the author of ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ She was also an excellent theologian who loved to reflect on Christmas and the incarnation. In the opening of her bio on Wikipedia it says: “Her works reflect both her Christian faith and her strong interest in modern science.”

Nice…

Here is an observation of hers that I have set aside, I thought I would share it with you for today’s Connections:

Each galaxy, each star, each living creature,

every particle and subatomic particle of creation,

we are all made in God’s image...

How? Genesis gives no explanations,

but we do know instinctively that it is not a physical image.

God’s explanation is to send Jesus,

the incarnate One, God enfleshed.

Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me!

It is further from being explainable

than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy.

It is love,

God’s limitless love enfleshing that love

into the form of a human being,

Jesus, the Christ,

fully human

and

fully divine.

Madeleine L’Engle

There is a lot there, I hope you might find a place to hang your hat and reflect on the fact that you also are made in God’s image.

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 5

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us…

Luke 1:78

The Psalm assigned for this coming Sunday is Luke 1:68-79. A psalm from Luke? Yes. If you look hard enough, past the definitions that point to the book of Psalms, you can find a psalm defined as “a sacred song, poem or hymn. A religious poem or song.”

So, yes, our Psalm on Sunday is from Luke 1.

And it is a beautiful passage, this song of Zechariah rejoicing at the birth of his son John (a.k.a. John the Baptist) and foretelling God’s saving activity through the coming Messiah.

Here is Zechariah’s song:

Luke 1:67-79

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied, saying:

Blessed are you, Lord, the God of Israel,

you have come to your people and set them free.

You have raised up for us a mighty Savior,

born of the house of your servant David.

Through your holy prophets, you promised of old to save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us,

to show mercy to our forebears,

and to remember your holy covenant.

This was the oath you swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship you without fear,

holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,

to give God’s people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

This is often called the Benedictus, from the Latin for “blessed” the first word of the song. The Benedictus as a song of praise has been used in worship since about the middle of the 6th century. (That’s a long time!)

I invite you to take another look at Zechariah’s song, there is so very much to ponder for the rest of the day, for the weekend, for this coming year. You might start with the closing verses: “In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

May the way of peace be our path, now and always!

Peace, Pastor Phil

December 6

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,

for by doing that

some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

Today is St. Nicholas Day!

St. Nicholas was born in present day Turkey around the year 270, and served as bishop in Myra. He was one of 318 bishops who gathered at the first Council of Nicaea in 325 - (The Church will be marking the 1,700 year anniversary of the Nicene Creed next year.) Nicholas got to be Santa Claus from the Dutch way of referring to him as “Sinterklaas.”

Here at Trinity we don’t talk about Saints and saints days very much, which is fine. However, it can be inspiring to consider the lives of saints, and consider how we might join them in lives of faithfulness and generosity.

Among the legends about St. Nicholas are stories of anonymous gift-giving that arose from his compassion for the poor and marginalized. (There are all sorts of interesting stories about Saint Nicholas, some more fantastic, and frankly, unbelievable, than others.)

Often people will complain about the materialism that surrounds this season of buying gifts and all… While that is probably an accurate critique, I like how the stories of St. Nicholas are grounded in a real person, and they are inspired by Nicholas’ care for others. I like stories of how his love of God moved him to care for his neighbors.

In this season of gift giving and celebration, people like St. Nicholas can help remind us that our giving is a reflection of God’s great generosity to us - sending Jesus Christ to restore us to relationship with God and in turn sending us out in care for the world.

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Pastor Phil

December 7

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

I found Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes’ Unfolding Light reflection using the Benedictus to be powerful, and I thought I would share it today.

Have a blessed Saturday, I hope you can join us for worship tomorrow morning.

Pax, Pastor Phil

Dearly Beloved,
Grace and Peace to you.

Dawn
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
—Luke 1.78-79

When we see the world clearly,
its doom of climate, of tyranny, of violence,
the reign of riches, the empire of fear,
we join those who sit in darkness.
It is no longer only slaves and prisoners,
but all the world that dwells in the shadow of death.

And now, now, the prophet announces
the coming of a dawn as if a winter solstice.
A light that guides us into the ways of peace
even amid the winds of conflict.

Look, then, even in the darkness, to the light.
The dawn is not on the horizon but among us,
even in the deep night, already rising.

Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve

__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net

Second Sunday Advent

December 8

Today is the Second Sunday Advent.

I hope you can join us for worship at 9:00

The service will be posted online, click here. https://www.trinitylutheransheridan.org/2-advent-24

The Prayer of the Day:

Stir up our hearts,

Lord God,

to prepare the way of your only Son.

By his coming

give to all the people of the world

knowledge of your salvation;

through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

December 9

…As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.’”

Luke 3:4

I have a suspicion that wise Advent preparation might be to fix our eyes on Jesus, in order to see clearly the one whom God sends to save us. In seeing him well, we might gain a clearer vision of who God is, and who we are called to be.

This is much of what Rev. Barbara Brown Tayler says in this quote from her book of sermons titled: “God in Pain.”

He did not come

to put us to shame with his divinity.

He came

to call us into the fullness of our humanity,

which was good enough for him.

Barbara Brown Taylor - God In Pain

May you continue to grow toward the fullness of who God has created you to be. Blessings, Pastor Phil

December 10

As the people were filled with expectation,

and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John,

whether he might be the Messiah,

John answered all of them by saying,

“I baptize you with water;

but one who is more powerful than I is coming…"

Luke 3:15-16a

Perhaps you have seen the meme that says; “According to my chocolate Advent calendar, there are only two days left until Christmas!”

Advent calendars can help build expectation as we mark the days to Christmas. The expectation of those who responded to John the Baptist were a hopeful anticipation of the appearance of the God's Messiah. This is, of course, much more significant than chocolates, or marking the days to a holiday.

I wonder how our Advent observances, and the building expectation of this season, might give rise to an expectancy for the presence of Jesus in our midst.

In the Lord’s Prayer we pray “thy kingdom come.”

Advent is a season to remember the hopes and expectations that we have that are grounded in God’s love for us, and for all the world.

Advent Peace to you, Pastor Phil

December 11

“This will be a sign for you:

you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes

and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12

UCC pastor, Lillian Daniel wrote a very interesting reflection on the season of Advent. She suggested that outside the Church, from before Thanksgiving, the colors are red and green. “Inside the church, the color of the Advent season is a deep and rich blue.” She goes on, observing that the culture has carols everywhere, which is “a very different mood from the Advent tone of quiet meditative worship.”

Rather than see one facet as better than the other, she offers a perspective of openness to both ways of marking this time.

Here is her conclusion; I think it is quite thought provoking:

But the key is to balance all that cultural Christmas hoopla with the quiet spirituality of Advent. It’s why we really need regular worship in this season. We need to be reminded that the real preparation is not about cooking, or shopping or wrapping gifts. The real preparation is about asking the hard questions of our spirits.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to apologize to? Is God calling you into service or a new work in his name? Is there someone you should invite to church in a season when many people are searching?

Is there someone in your life who needs you to pray for them? Is there anyone who doesn’t?

This is the preparation that Advent calls us to fill our December days with – prayer, attention to the state of our souls, and acts of kindness, mercy and justice.

You don’t have to choose between Christmas and Advent. Just make sure you pay attention to both.

Advent and Christmas – Can’t We Do Both? Lillian Daniel: UCC Minister, Dec. 17, 2009

December 12

By the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

Last night, in our Evening Prayer service, we heard, one more time, from Zechariah’s words at the birth of John the Baptist. The Benedictus was read by one of our LOGOS youth. There is something powerful about hearing a young, and confident voice proclaim: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us…”

What a great promise! A promise proclaimed to young and old, for thousands of years. And we get to hear that same Good News!

Blessings, Pastor Phil

December 13

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the Lord God is my strength and my might,

and has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

Professor Rolf Jacobson says this in his commentary on Sunday’s “psalm reading” which is from Isaiah 12:

“Not all of the psalms in the Bible are located in the Book of Psalms. And not all of the good news in the Bible is located in the New Testament. Today’s “psalm” is a song of good news located in the Scroll of Isaiah.”

He suggests that in this passage, the prophet is seeking to inspire faith in his people who are having difficulty believing in the promise. I liked this line from Dr. Jacobson:

“Ask yourself this: Is it easier to say to a person who is struggling with their faith, “You just have to believe.” Or is it easier to say, “Let’s pray.””

What an interesting question. And what an interesting suggestion, that sometimes, when it is difficult to believe, rather than seek to form reasons to trust God, the appropriate response might be to simply, pray.

Let us pray and praise God for the sure and certain promise of salvation!

Pastor Phil

December 14

A blessed Saturday to you!

Worship at 9:00 tomorrow morning, our Sunday Schoolers will be presenting the Christmas program, I hope you can join us.

A prayer for the 3rd Sunday of Advent:

O God of the exiles and the lost,

you promise restoration and wholeness

through the power of Jesus Christ.

Give us faith to live joyfully,

sustained by your promises

as we eagerly await the day when they will be fulfilled

for all the world to see,

through the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

December 15

It is the Third Sunday of Advent, our Sunday Schoolers will be presenting the Christmas program, I hope you can join us.

The Prayer of the Day:

Stir up our hearts, Lord God,

to prepare the way of your only Son.

By his coming give to all the people of the world

knowledge of your salvation;

through Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

December 16

O give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

who alone does great wonders…

Psalm 136:3-4a

I’m not sure how I ended up on this email list, but I sometimes enjoy posts by Pastor Cameron Trimble. She seems to be a force to reckon with, writing prolifically and serving as a consultant to congregations...

In a reflection last week she encouraged “Cultivating Awe”.

Here’s a bit of what she wrote…

Take time today to pause and notice something that fills you with wonder. It might be the sound of birdsong, the colors of a sunset, or a small act of kindness that moves your heart.

As you notice, let yourself feel the awe fully. Name it, and thank God for the gift of that moment. If possible, share your experience with someone else - it’s often in sharing that awe grows deeper…

A Prayer for Awe and Wonder

God of Astonishment,

You fill the world with beauty and goodness,

Yet so often, we rush past it, distracted and busy.

Open our hearts to wonder,

our eyes to beauty,

our spirits to awe.

Teach us to see Your presence

in the ordinary and the extraordinary.

Let us live as learners,

open to the mystery of Your love.

May our lives reflect the joy

of those who know the world is alive

with You.

Amen.

Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

December 17

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39-40

As I am sure you know, this coming Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our Trinity Choir will present their Christmas Cantata: “Rise Up!”

Our Gospel text, as well as the “psalm” for Sunday are from the first chapter of Luke, the story of Mary and Elizabeth.

I liked these comments by Dr. Rolf Jacobson, Old Testament professor at Luther Seminary:

Mary’s Psalm: A radical Advent carol

The so-called “Magnificat” (somehow that name is too tame) is a radical protest song. The kind of song that the enslaved Israelites might

have sung in Egypt. The kind of song you might have heard on the lips of the exiled Judeans in Babylon. The kind of song that has been sung by countless people of faith through the ages in resistance, in defiance of empires, slavers, terrorists, invaders, and the like.

Hear, feel, savor Mary’s cry of resistance:

[The Lord] has shown strength with his arm;

has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

Has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

and lifted up the lowly;

Has filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:51-53)

Mary’s Psalm sounded the initial, clear, trumpet call that the event of the Christ’s advent was to be a world-transforming, universe-shaking

event.

Universe-shaking indeed. Take another look at Mary’s song, and as we prepare for Christmas, let us also look for the redemption of all creation, for Christ has come for all the world!

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

December 18

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,

the child leaped in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

and exclaimed with a loud cry,

“Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Luke 1:41-42

I want to share a bit more of Dr. Rolf Jacobson’s reflection on the Magnificat; ‘Mary’s Psalm: A radical Advent carol’… He invites us to note that Mary sings out that the saving power of God re-orients God’s world… “Christ’s advent was a universe-shaking event.” He goes on:

One example. Professor Lois Malcolm, my colleague at Luther Seminary, grew up the child of missionaries in the Philippine Islands. Growing up among that nation’s poor, Professor Malcolm has reported that when they heard Mary’s Psalm, it was the first time that anyone had told them the good news that God cares about them -- the poor, the oppressed.

Think about it. You’re poor. You wonder, “Why? Why are we poor?” “Maybe that is just the way things are,” you think. Or maybe you hear, “The kings and queens rule by ‘divine right’ -- God wants them to be rich and powerful, and you to be poor.” Or maybe you hear, “The poor are poor because they did something bad in a previous life -- they deserve to be poor in this life, and if they suffer their poverty bravely and gladly, they can be born into a better caste in the next life.” Or maybe you just think, “We are poor because we aren’t smart enough to be wealthy.”

Mary’s Psalm announces, “No, Christ has come to challenge the structures of sin, death, the devil, and oppression. Christ has come in the strength of the Lord to do what the Lord has always done: lift up the lowly, free the enslaved, feed the hungry, give justice to the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner.”

As it says in the end of Revelation: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Advent Blessings, Pastor Phil

December 19

At the Longest Night Service last evening, this prayer helped to close the service, I thought I would share it with you today.

God of compassion, you have given us your own Son, Jesus Christ, to be for us the great physician,

making the broken whole and overcoming even the darkness of death and despair with new life and hope.

We thank you for the One who touched the un-touchable,

reached out to the dying,

and brought healing and wholeness to those who had despaired of mending.

Touch our wounds,

relieve our hurts,

and restore us to wholeness of life,

through this same Lord Jesus Christ.

Set our troubled souls free, O Lord, from restlessness and anxiety.

Uphold us by your strength.

Anchor us upon the rock of your faithfulness.

Give us your peace and power

and so keep us that in all times of trouble and distress,

we may know that you hold us close.

Indeed, you are faithful, O God.

You not only give us your word that can be trusted

but you also lend us your ear for our comfort.

Hear us now as we offer our prayers.

Hear again, gracious God, the names of those people and places we hold dear and now present to you anew.

[Silence]

Grant us, O God, the fullness of your promises.

Where we have been weak, grant us your strength;

where we have been confused, grant us your guidance;

where we have been distraught, grant us your comfort;

and in all times and circumstances grant us your peace;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Advent Blessings to you, and may we all know the comfort and the promise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. Pastor Phil

December 20

A reminder:

Christmas Eve

Service of Carols and Candlelight

with Holy Communion

4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

On December 22nd, the 4th Sunday of Advent we will hear Mary’s Magnificat.

Many people have written (and preached and prayed) beautiful reflections on Mary’s song. Among them is Martin Luther, whose ‘Commentary on the Magnificat’ was among his important early writings.

I am sorry this is late, and today I will simply share a single line from an excellent sermon by Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. This was published about thirteen years ago. In this sermon, Nadia reflects on how strange Mary's being "blessed" by God might look to our eyes. She also ponders with her 'hearers' on what it might mean that you could be like Mary and carry the gift of God's blessings in your own life...

I hope you can join us for worship on Sunday, and Tuesday as well…

May you carry in your own self, with joy and confidence, the blessing of God.

Peace to you, Pastor Phil

"I do think

that you carry in your body

the blessing of God

and having faith like Mary

means allowing yourself

to trust that."

Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber

December 21

An Advent Prayer for today from Dr. Walter Brueggemann:

“Advent Prayer”

In our secret yearnings
we wait for your coming,
and in our grinding despair
we doubt that you will.
. . .

Give us the grace and the impatience
to wait for your coming to the bottom of our toes,
to the edges of our fingertips.
We do not want our several worlds to end.
Come in your power
and come in your weakness
in any case
and make all things new.
Amen.

–Walter Brueggeman, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 22

The Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.

With your abundant grace and might,

free us from the sin that binds us,

that we may receive you in joy

and serve you always,

for you live and reign

with the Father

and the Holy Spirit,

one God,

now and

forever.

Amen

December 23

A few weeks ago I shared the suggestion by a preacher that Christmas should come at a random date, as a surprise. I still like that idea. Yet, even with the fixed date, there is plenty of surprise at hand. When someone asked me yesterday if I was ready for Christmas, my answer was 'pretty much.'

Here is a surprise. I am surprised that this story continues to hold such wonder and hope, power and promise for me. This is my 65th Christmas, and like so many of you, I never tire of engaging the story of God's love for us being so great that God has entered our world in this way.

May you know God's presence this week of wonder, Pastor Phil

Christmas Eve

December 24

I hope you can join us for worship this evening.

The Prayer of the Day for Christmas Eve:

Almighty God,

you made this holy night shine

with the brightness of the true Light.

Grant that here on earth

we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence

and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

A blessed Christmas to you, Pastor Phil

Christmas Day

Nativity of Our Lord

December 25

The Prayer of the Day today:

All-powerful and unseen God,

the coming of your light into our world

has brightened weary hearts with peace.

Call us out of darkness,

and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son,

Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever. Amen

Here is a nice Christmas table prayer -

A CHRISTMAS TABLE PRAYER

Glory to God in the highest!

Peace to God's people on earth!

To you is born this day a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

O come, let us worship him.

With joy and gladness we feast upon your love, O God.

You have come among us in Jesus, your Son,

and your presence now graces this table.

May Christ dwell in us

that we might bear his love to all the world,

for he is Lord forever and ever.

AMEN

Christmas Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

The Second Day of Christmas

December 26

I shared this legend in our Christmas Eve sermon:

The Christmas shepherds hearing the Good News, went to see the baby. They brought gifts to their newborn savior.

As the legend goes, among the shepherds was one who was so poor that he had nothing to offer. When they got to the manger, the shepherds all competed with one another to offer their gifts, and the one, he stood back, ashamed.

Mary, holding the Child in her arms, did not know what to do to receive the gifts… And so, seeing the shepherd with his hands free, she turned to him, and entrusted the baby Jesus to him.

The shepherd found that his empty hands were his great good fortune…

This makes me think of a line from Martin Luther. It is a quote that Helmut Thielicke (a post-WWII German preacher) shared in a sermon. It goes like this: “God created the world out of nothing. As long as you are not yet nothing God cannot make something out of you.” I’ve seen internet posts that bear something like this, stated in a more positive way:

“God created the world out of nothing,

and so long as we are nothing,

he can make something out of us.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ bears God’s love to you, in spite of whatever weakness or brokenness you bear. In fact, God’s love comes to you in spite of whatever strengths or righteousness you bear as well!

May you know that the gift of Christmas is a gift given. Freely. Completely. Unreservedly. Generously. Lovingly. Joyfully.

May we share the gifts God has showered upon us with a similar generosity and joy.

Christmas Blessings to you, Pastor Phil

The Third Day of Christmas

December 27

[Jesus read from Isaiah]

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:18-19

I have a suspicion that in most all of our ways of talking about how God works in our lives, we speak with quite partial understanding. That - of course - does not keep me from speaking. (HA!)

I set this aside years ago. Here Dr. Willimon suggests that in the gift of the Christ Child, God is invading our world, to set us free to love and serve:

The best Christmas sermon I ever heard was from the preacher who stood up on Christmas Eve and simply said to his congregation.

“Tonight, I have some breaking news.”

Then he leaned into the microphone for good effect and said, “Good news. Tonight, the invasion has begun. We’re about to be liberated. God’s come for us.”

He sat down and we sang Christmas carols like our lives depended upon it, which of course, they do.

Sorry if you thought God was a projection of your fondest wishes and deepest desires, a technique for getting peace or justice or happiness or joy or whatever it is you think you just must have more than God.

One comes to us; one whom we did not expect. Your world is about to be rocked. Don’t be surprised that you are surprised.

Will Willimon

On this 3rd Day of Christmas, we continue to give thanks for the audacity of the - impossible to fully comprehend - incarnation.

I wish you Christmas Peace, as well as Christmas DIsruption! Pastor Phil

The Fourth Day of Christmas

December 28

“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation..."

Luke 2:29-30

Our Gospel reading tomorrow is the story of Simeon, waiting at the temple and meeting the Christ child. Simeon pronounces a blessing that has become part of the liturgy (we don’t use it very often, but it is used as a sending song; “Now, Lord, let your servant go in peace…) Simeon also offers a prophesy about Jesus, that he will meet opposition, and will cause ‘the rise and fall of many’ and Mary - ‘and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

Here is a prayer from Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes from a few years ago based on tomorrow’s Gospel.

A blessed 4th Day of Christmas to you, Pastor Phil

Falling and rising

This child is destined

for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be opposed

so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.

— Luke 2.34-35

Not “the rise and fall,”

like empires that come and go,

but “falling and rising.”

Death and resurrection.

Not an idol worshiped

but a sign opposed.

Not an inspiring thought

but my own revealed.

God, transform my inner thoughts

and give me courage,

accompanied by the divine child

to die and be raised,

to enter this path of hard choices

with love and grace,

to enter this new year

ready to become a new person.

Published December 29, 2017

__________________

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

www.unfoldinglight.net

1st Sunday of Christmas

The Fifth Day of Christmas

December 29

I hope you can join us for worship today at 9:00.

The service will be posted on the Trinity website.

The Prayer of the Day

Shine into our hearts

the light of your wisdom,

O God,

and open our minds

to the knowledge of your word,

that in all things

we may think and act

according to your good will

and may live continually

in the light of your Son,

Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen

The Sixth Day of Christmas

December 30

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

On this sixth day of Christmas, I want to touch base with the Christmas story again...

One of the great wonders Luke shares with us is the message of the Angel.

“Unto you is born this day…”

f you look at birth announcements, what do they say? They name the child, of course, and the parents to whom that child is born.

When the Angel announces Jesus’ birth, he tells the shepherds that this baby has been born, NOT to Mary and Joseph, but to THEM!

I think the Angel would also suggest that Jesus has been born to you as well. Christmas is a celebration of the wonder of the incarnation, and the even greater wonder that God has entered our human story in order to redeem you.

In his masterpiece The Requiem in D minor, Mozart penned this line:

“Remember, merciful Jesu, That I am the cause of your journey.”

That might be a bit outrageous, but so is the incarnation.

Christmas Blessings, and remember, the incarnation is for you - Pastor Phil

The Seventh Day of Christmas

December 31

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them;

they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4

A Blessed New Year’s Eve to you.

Here is a very nice prayer for New Year’s:

Eternal God,

you have placed us in a world of space and time,

and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love.

Grant that in the new year

we may know your presence, see your love at work,

and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever—

the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

May we “live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever” now and always!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Phil