DEC
01:
REFLECTION:
While in the secular world, we count down to the end of the year, in the
liturgical calendar we start the new year with a countdown! The season of
Advent, which begins today, begins the countdown to Christmas.
Marking each week is important, as we spiritually journey through a time
of both now-and-not-yet, of living in joyful anticipation of the coming of the
Messiah.
This constant marking of time can be done in any number of ways; from a
weekly wreath-lighting to a daily unveiling of chocolate. ADVENT calendars are
relatively new (the wreath as we know it was developed in the 19th century);
they were designed for use at home, as a means to carry with us the
spirituality of the season into our everyday lives.
Though many Advent calendars are now rather secularly focused (from beer
to Lego toys), we can choose for ourselves to keep the reality of this
hope-filled season a time of holy and certain expectation, as we prepare in our
hearts and minds and lives to welcome the Christ-child in our midst.
DEC 08:
REFLECTION:
St Nicholas:
The Man, The Myth, The Legend!
On Friday, 06 December, the Feast of
St. Nicholas was met with great recognition: he was the star (if you'll pardon
the pun) of the "Stories Under the Stars" event.
At this event, our young folks were
invited to spend some time under the stars and to learn about Nicholas: the
Man, a 4th century bishop from Myra (now Turkey)... the Myth, a jolly and
generous fellow in a red suit (ahem)... and the Legend, saving girls from slavery
and praying miracles into reality.
However we wish to remember
Nicholas, it is worth remembering his faithful witness in our own time: whether
it's our own fervent prayers for others, or generosity in priding the needs of
those in our midst, or going so far as protecting the rights of vulnerable
women and girls (especially as December 6th is also the National Day Against
Violence Against Women).
However we choose to consider
Nicholas, it is important that we recall and re-tell his story. A powerful man,
an enduring myth, a faithful legend. Thank God for "Jolly Old St.
Nicholas"!
PRAYERS:
In this time
of waiting, Lord, we offer our prayers, responding to "Come, Lord
Jesus" with "Lord Jesus, come soon."
We ask your
blessing on the church: for the faithful witness and leadership of our Primate
Linda and Archbishop Ron; for St. Nicholas and all the saints whose teachings
continue to enlighten our hearts; for ourselves as we continue together on our
Advent journey. Come, Lord
Jesus;
Lord Jesus,
come soon.
We ask your
strength for the Queen and her family, noting the strain of their public
duties; for the leaders of the nations, enduring challenging meetings this
week; for all in authority as they strive to provide the common good. Come, Lord
Jesus;
Lord Jesus,
come soon.
We ask your
grace upon this community: for those who endure challenges as the cold weather
encroaches, for those stressing about the coming holiday season, and for those
whose ministry is to bring extra joy to us all. Come, Lord
Jesus;
Lord Jesus,
come soon.
We ask your
comfort for those enduring any need, in mind, body, or spirit: for the sick and
suffering; for the caregivers who offer their healing skill; for those in the
depths of fear, loneliness, Come, Lord
Jesus;
Lord Jesus, come
soon.
We ask your
peace for those who grieve: the families preparing for a first Christmas
without a loved one, for those whose broken hearts have never healed, and for
all who commemorate with lamentation the 30th anniversary of the Montreal
Massacre. Come, Lord
Jesus;
Lord Jesus,
come soon.
Lord Jesus,
come soon.
DEC 15:
REFLECTION:
This week, in the Advent wreath, we light the candle of JOY. This third Sunday
of the Advent journey may be called Gaudete Sunday – a Latin word meaning
rejoice: a focus coming from Philippians 4.4: “Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.”
At this time of year, when the lights are twinkling and the trees are
trimming, the stress can also be increasing: from cookies that burn or presents
that aren’t yet ready, to financial concerns or the pressure of the “perfect
Christmas Dinner”… the made-for-TV movies suggest high expectations for a month
of eternal happiness, and so often our real life experience may not live up to
that.
For those of us with faith, we are invited this week to pause – and rejoice. To
return our focus to preparing our lives for a moment of great joy that is right
now ebbing into our reality. The happiness may come and go, the plans may not
work out as we wish, but the Lord will still come: Christmas is coming. What a
joy when we can take that sacred moment out of the hustle and bustle and simple
live in the joy of the Lord that is being showered upon us.
“Rejoice in the Lord” is therefore an invitation for us all: to know that the
joy of the Lord is within you, to trust that the Christ will come as God plans,
and to believe that it will all be just fine. Rejoice in the Lord always; again
we hear – rejoice.
PRAYERS:
We pray for the church; for our Primate Linda and our Archbishop Ron;
for the clergy and lay leaders in this busy time: may we support them in prayer
and encouragement as they help us anticipate your Emmanuel. May we, the church,
always encourage faithful response to you.
We pray: Lord Jesus, Come soon.
We pray for our homes, our neighbours, our community: as we engage in
the busyness of preparing for December 25th, may we also be
preparing for the true Christmas. Grant us patience to be present to the time
that is both now and not yet.
We pray: Lord Jesus, Come soon.
As we pray for your comfort to enfold us, we pray that we may also be
distressed by injustice and conflict: that we may orient our hearts and lives
to respond with loving kindness to all who are in need in your world: may we be
emboldened to speak up for the voiceless, to reach out to the lonely, to
befriend the downtrodden.
We pray: Lord Jesus, Come soon.
We hold before you those in our hearts and minds who we know are
struggling: those who are unwell in body, in mind, and in spirit. We ask you to
hear the whispers of our hearts and to bring your care to their souls. We also
pray for all in distress, who have no one to whisper their names to you.
We pray: Lord Jesus, Come soon.
We pray for your world; that all may be awed by your majesty. As we
journey closer to you, may our lives reflect the light of your Christ that we
will be inspired towards your world of well-being. That we may be bearers of
your joy;
We pray: Lord Jesus, Come soon.
DEC 22:
REFLECTION:
Our Gospel this morning is full of
wonderful and challenging realities as we're invited into the most intimate
nature of personal relationships. While we know and trust in the divine
intervention in so many ways for this young family, they must have experienced
all manner of societal judgement.
Yet: despite that, they chose to let
love win - triumph even! Mary and Joseph both demonstrated how love is stronger
than gossip, stronger than the suppositions, stronger than anything and
everything that the world could throw at them. Because love is God's greatest
gift.
We are invited then, to learn from
the intimacy of the Holy Family about the gift of love in our lives, and the
opportunity to share that love with the world. Let's embrace our own story of
receiving love, and choose to share only good news. For truly, "God is
with us" when we opt to live in love.
PRAYERS:
Holy Jesus,
who humbled your Godly self into the tiny human presence we await this week:
you use your divinity to empower the vulnerable, and your humanity journey with
the fortunate. Help us, your church, to see your face in all we encounter this
week, and to express our love for you throughout all our interactions.
Emmanuel, we
pray:
Lord Jesus,
Come soon!
Companion of
our lives; help us to turn our hearts more fully to you. Surround our leaders
with peace as they govern for all the people. Strengthen our church leaders,
especially Primate Linda and Archbishop Ron, whose lives and ministries exude
your grace and truth. May all we do glorify your name to the world.
Emmanuel, we
pray:
Lord Jesus,
Come soon!
God of
compassion, you know the stirrings of our hearts, and join us in caring for
those who are near to us. We ask your blessing on all who are sick: in mind,
body, or spirit. We ask your peace and comfort to those who mourn. We ask you
to surround with love all who struggle in this holiday season, and to bring
them knowledge of your perfect love.
Emmanuel, we
pray:
Lord Jesus,
Come soon!
God of light
and life, we pray for your world. In times of darkness, we ask you to shine
your light. In times of great courage, we ask you to pour out your strength.
For all who strive that justice and peace may prevail, we ask your abundant
blessing. May all we do encourage us to live in the joy that is you.
Emmanuel, we
pray:
Lord Jesus,
Come soon!
Bringer of
peace: we ask for that peace today to enfold us, all dear to us, and all who
have no peace. While the outside world is harried, may our hearts and minds
rest in the still, small voice that is you. Help us to focus on the blessings
we are receiving, and to dwell in the opulence of your love.
Emmanuel, we
pray:
Lord Jesus,
Come soon!
DEC 24:
PRAYERS
(Children's Service)
Jesus, whose mother Mary gave him an earthly family: we
pray for our loved ones near and far. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, whose parents had nowhere to stay, and who was
laid in a manger:
we pray for all who are homeless, lonely, the rejected,
the refugees. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, sharing the stable with the animals: we pray for
the goodness of all your creation. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, worshipped by every race and class, from shepherds
to magi:
we pray for ever nation and people. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, whose birth was announced by angels
singing praises: we pray for all who glorify your name. Lord
Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, our Emmanuel, our God-With-Us: we pray for
everyone who needs a prayer today. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
Jesus, you bring Joy to the World: we pray
for everyone to know joy this Christmas, and for us who have joy to share it.
Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer.
DEC 29:
REFLECTION:
This past
week has been a busy time for us all; with jubilant celebrations of our Lord’s
birth here at St. John’s that have invited everyone into a space of God’s peace
and light. I wish to thank everyone who has given so much of themselves in
preparing for our shared ministry to God and to our community.
At
Christmas our celebrations have also included family gatherings and feasting,
sharing of love and joy. It is in this spirit that I have been reflecting on
the past year... as we come to the end of my first year among you here at St.
John’s, words cannot convey how delighted I am to be as part of the family.
This is a special place, and the blessing are abundant!
The
outpouring of Christian love and grace is abundant year-round; and as all
people are welcomed in our midst - wherever they are on their spiritual
journeys - the people of St John’s have gone above and beyond to show the
hospitality of Jesus amid the warmth of Lunenburg.
As we
continue in Christmas, I pray that the peace of Christ will enfold you, all
those who are dear to you, and all those who have no peace. May God’s
peace continue to surround us in 2020 and beyond.
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