Terrapin Station

Advent Retreat 4A

You can read my thoughts for Advent 3A just above. 

My friend LutheranChik finishes up the retreat by sharing here on Advent 4A.

I'm so grateful for her thoughts on hospitality.  Truly, we are called to be radical in this way, as in all others, by a radical God and God's radical Son.  

The table turners.  The upside-down-ers.  The crazy-world-ers.  The New World Order bunch.  

My prayer for this Advent is that in everything I plan, everything I pray, every person I meet, I may be open to utterly radical possibilities. 

 

 

Advent Retreat 3A

Cross-posted here from RevGalBlogPals.

A meditation for Advent 3A

 

Matthew 11:2-11

 

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?"

Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are

raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

`See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

 

John the Baptist is having a bad, bad time. He is stuck in prison, after all. And the faith and passion with which he proclaimed the coming of Jesus as the Messiah seem to be gone, or at least stretched very thin.

It’s understandable, really. Jesus is not doing what he should be doing, in John’s estimation. He is, in fact, doing everything WRONG. I imagine John thinking, “This is crazy! Jesus can’t be the one, because everything is so screwed up.” He must have felt very desperate to send this message to Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t reply directly, of course. He has performed miracles that the messengers have witnessed themselves, and he advises them to describe these things to John. Unfortunately, the report is not likely to make John feel very much better, because he wasn’t actually hoping for a healer. He was hoping for his idea of a Messiah: a conqueror, a king, a smiter like the one promised in Isaiah 35:4 “He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense.”

John is stuck in an idea of what Jesus was going to do and be. He can’t seem to escape his old plans for the way Jesus’ kingdom would come about. Back when John foretold the coming of Jesus and baptized him, the fire and certainty were fresh in his heart, but now all that seems to be turning to ashes. Hopeless.

It’s sometimes easy to feel that way in today’s world. We get frustrated at the gloom-and-doom news channels, the machinations of the institutional church and some individuals representing Christianity. Wars, violence, starvation…the list could go on and on. We get stuck in our own self-righteousness and sin, and wonder where God is, and whether we’ve made a mistake. Like John, we get rusty in our faith.

The Episcopal collect (the prayer “collecting” all the lectionary scriptures) for this Sunday begins, “Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us…” Jesus’ work was to stir us up, to un-stick us, and the divine method for that seems to be: do everything exactly backward from the world’s way.

John provides a hinge (albeit a creaky one) connecting old, worldly expectations of the kingdom of heaven to the Kingdom that Jesus is creating.

In answering who He is, in responding to the Big Expectations, Jesus reminds the questioners of what they have seen him do.

What has Jesus seen you do lately? Or me? Last weekend marked the official first day of shopping madness in the US. I personally forewent shopping, but that’s absolutely not a stretch for me, because: I hate to shop. So, what am I going to DO, actually get up and do? I have some ideas. I will be helping with a Christmas party at the local retirement home with members of my church, for one.

For Reflection: In a season like Advent, a very busy one for clergy and engaged laity, adding more things to do can be difficult. I commend to you the idea of taking time to think about something different, whether large or small. Maybe it’s occasionally paying the toll of the person behind you. Maybe it’s putting money in every Salvation Army kettle you see. Maybe it’s taking daily time for prayer or Advent study. Take some time now, and ponder it.

Prayer: Blessed One, we thank you for coming to be one of us, for knowing how it is to be hopeless, rusty, and stuck. May we do your work in the world this season so that your glory shines forth as good news is brought to the poor.

May you be blessed this Advent season, stirred up and unstuck, and may you sing with Mary:

(Art credits: John the Baptist in Prison at Bible Explained; Hinge: Tony Howell photos)

Join in! Share comments or thoughts in the comments section here or on your own blog. Final installment of this retreat coming later today, by LutheranChik

 

Advent Retreat 2A

You can see the complete meditation by my friend, Singing Owl, here. 

She refers to "Fear of the Lord" and explores what that might look like and mean in our lives, using as an example the passage from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe where Lucy and Susan wonder about the nature of Aslan...is he safe?  Is he a tame lion?  The Beavers quickly clarify.  "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king, I tell you!"

Aslan and much of Lewis' other fiction informs a large part of my theology, and it helps me to have this passage on which to reflect.  Part of me protests the idea that Jesus would never want me to be a mindlessly submissive, cringing thing.  And the other part of me sure does see that faithfulness to Jesus/Aslan would require submission. Whether I like the word, or not. 

I've been struggling seriously for a long time with some issues of doctrine, and have considered searching elsewhere for a faith community that would meet some of my needs in that area.  Of course, the problem is the people in my parish.  I could not leave the people. 

And so on a Friday in October I took myself to lunch and made a list of pros and cons.  And then I said, "God, I don't know.  Please show me what you want me to do."  I lay down my will.  I ate my pad thai.  And then I walked back to work. 

Within an hour of my return, I received an e-mail offering an opportunity that, at first, threw me into a tizzy, and then (when I calmed down a little bit) solidified before my eyes into a path.  A way to stay, to be obedient in the place where I am. 

And I said, "this desk is holy ground." 

 

Virtual Advent Retreat: Stream of Consciousness

Today is the RevGalBlogPals Virtual Advent Retreat.  Three reflections will post throughout the day.  I've taken the day off, largely to participate in this event.  I've done it for the last few years and it's been very meaningful for me. 

The day has started differently from my plans, however.  "A retreat day" meant, in my fluffy imagination, that I would get up and wander around in a wafty nightgown with coffee, start my day with prayer in my library room, then begin the work of the retreat, undisturbed. 

Umhum. First, I have no wafty nightgowns.  And...

First thing, I took out the trash, then was out in the driveway trying to retrieve a hose to wash em' out from WAY over by the work truck, where it'd been dragged to fill up a power washer tank.   It got stuck under a car tire, under a tree, then under a wheel stop, causing me to shout "F WORD!" loudly.  Ah, I'm feeling more spiritual already. 

I am immensely fortunate to have a room of my own, one with a full wall of built-in bookshelves (one of the reasons I wanted This Old House).  It has a door in one of its 2 doorways, so a modicum of privacy.  Of course, the home also  contains my husband's office, that enterprise which makes it possible for us to HAVE This Old House, so so this morning we have, in and out, an accountant and two other employees. Not so meditative-y.

Also, this morning I noticed that the ceiling tiles in the dining room have, at last, begun to fall.  That's the peril of an Old House (1924)...there's always something you should be fixing, and if you leave it too late, well, it's harder work to fix than it would have been.  Dangit. 

The tiles are probably made of asbestos and should be completely replaced.  All I can think is, "what a mess!" 

Yes, I know.  Job from which to take vacation day:  Hallelujah!  Home to repair: a big plus.  Husband (with job) to whom I will mention it, but who will still not fix it:  Also a pretty good thing.  So:  Home Retreat, 0.  Whining, 3. :) 

I'm off to Jazzercise (with my favorite teacher) and will try again when I get home.  :)  Adventy Peace and stuff, everyone! 

 

Advent II Friday Five

 
(Image from Amazon.co.uk)

From Sally, posting at RevGalBlogPals:

I am reading a wonderful little book for Advent.  Its title: Do Nothing...Christmas is Coming.

So this week's Friday Five is simple.

List five things you won't be doing to prepare for Christmas.

Hmmmm...I won't be:

• Putting together anything. (As far as I know.) We are beyond the putting together toys stage, hooray!
• Shipping packages to anywhere but Navajoland (see below)
• Sending Christmas cards (but New Year's cards are a definite maybe)
• Shopping a single minute more than I absolutely have to
• Buying stocking stuffers.  People get things they want or need, but there is no "fill up the sock" this year.

I WILL be:

• Taking Ken to buy gifts for our Navajo Angel...our church sponsors kids each year in the Episcopal Diocese of Navajoland and has had mission trips there for 25 years.
• Resting
• Thinking about meaning of Christmas

Aaahhhhh!

And while you are doing nothing play the bonus, put your feet up and listen to your favourite Advent Carol, and post it or a link to it.  Simple!  Thanks for the simple, Sally!

(apparently "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming" is Christmas, not Advent.  So sorry.  I'm posting it anyway.)

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
of Jesse's lineage coming,
as those of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
when half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory
was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
and in the manger they found him,
as angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere;
true man, yet very God,
from sin and death he saves us,
and lightens every load.

Christmas Eve Items

The dogs are playing and tumbling on the floor.  The sun is shining for what seems like the first time in forever!  We expect temps in the 50's today, lows in the 30's tonight - good Christmas weather, I think.  (It's supposed to get to 74 on Friday; let's not talk about that for Boxing Day atmosphere...)

Ken is very sick with a chesty cold.  He has three services to sing tonight, but at this point I can't see him getting out of bed, much less out of the house.  He broke down and went to the doctor yesterday, which tells me how exceptionally bad he was feeling and how much he wants to be well to participate tonight.  Please keep him in your prayers.  I myself have gotten a little sniffly and throat scratchy, but I think it might just be all the dust from packing the office...

And on that note, finished with the office yesterday.  Left it for the last time.  Very strange.  I have only worked in two places in my professional life, so the last 21 years have been spent in two office suites; the one in January will make the third.  I know this makes me a complete anomaly, but there it is. 

My house is very pile-y.  I hope to approach some of that today (I first wrote "attack" but I really don't want to do anything that violent...). 

I have cookies to make for the between-services buffet tonight - for the altar party and choir.  A few gifts to wrap.  Dogs to play with in the front yard (they LOVE the front yard!!)  A spouse to cosset.  Two services to sing (7 and 11).  A good day. 

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Friday Five: Countdown to Christmas

Songbird says at Revgals: 

It's true.

There are only five full days before Christmas Day, and whether you use them for shopping, wrapping, preaching, worshiping, singing or traveling or even wishing the whole darn thing were over last Tuesday, there's a good chance they will be busy ones.

So let's make this easy, if we can: tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve.

I'll start by saying that the RevGals Advent Retreat gave me the opportunity to be intentional about what I wanted this Advent to be.  And what I wanted it to NOT be was about panic and stress and pressure and retail madness.

And it hasn't been. 

Most every morning this month, I followed this routine:  Wake up and say, "Lord, let it be to me today according to Thy word."  Then I breathe for a few minutes and head off to the next thing - usually exercise class. 

God's Word to me this year has not indicated to me that I needed to panic, stress, feel pressure, or shop.

So I have bought gift cards from the church Manna Money program (benefits the church as well as gift recipients).  I have bought Heifer International gifts for my work colleagues.  I have had a Christmas party at my home without substantial Christmas decoration being done (no tree up!).  I have spent about an hour, total, in retail stores (mostly buying wine glasses for last night's party!).  I have sung at Lessons and Carols, helped with a reception for afterward, done a Vestry of the Day stint. 

I have not been stressed one time about Christmas.  Work, yes.  Packing to move my office, yes.  But Christmas, no.

Not having a child at home has helped me to not feel the pressure to decorate, etc.  Also, Nineteen's mother is the UBER DECORATOR for every holiday of the year...so he'll get lots of it with her.  :)  And, unlike most of the RevGals I don't have preaching, worship, and leadership responsibilities during the next week! 

I will probably get a small tree put up this weekend, when I will have the time to enjoy doing it.  My husband and I will probably also go shopping together for each other's presents.  I'll sing two services Christmas Eve and I'll share gifts with my parents and sister and family when I go to West Texas after Christmas Day. 

So, what I need to do before Christmas:

1. Put up a tree and other decorations as the Spirit moves me

2. Help with "greening" the church on Sunday after service

3. Shop with my sweetie

4. Bake for the Christmas Eve buffet at church

5. Continue the daily prayer:  "Lord, let it be to me today according to Thy word." 

O Sapientia - December 17

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,

reaching from one end to the other,

mightily and sweetly ordering all things:

Come to teach us the way of prudence.

The O Antiphons are traditionally recited or sung at Evening prayer in the last days of Advent.  Each one is both a name of the Christ and a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.  See here for more information.

Turn again to the Christ Child

Lessons and Carols was just glorious.  Especially since our ensemble only sang about 6 pieces plus the carols (hymns). 

It's been called "Christianity's Greatest Hits," that service.  The scriptures from the Old and New Testaments, the great prophecies and promises.  "In the beginning was the Word." 

Glory! 

We had a small ensemble directed by our friend Brad and he did an incredible job of music selection - 10th century Spanish chant, 'O Magnum Mysterium,' Herbert Howells, gorgeous things.  We had a good crowd, too (ads on WRR will do that!)  Afterward, a reception with holiday goodies and spiced cider. 

AND, a friend from my work showed up (my church is in the next town, so this is not a just around the corner thing).  I'm so so glad she came!!  She said, "keep inviting me, you never know when I might show up!"  A good word for us all! 

In the announcements that morning, Father Court called it "a chance to re-focus on Christmas."  I appreciated that thought and participated in that mindset.  Lessons and Carols includes some actual Christmas carols, which is nice (otherwise we only sing Advent hymns until Christmas Eve). 

I haven't done ONE- SINGLE - THING in the way of Christmas decorations!  I'm having a Christmas party at my home Thursday, so between now and then there'll have to be some decor accomplished!!  :) 

How are your Advent observations going?  Have you done your decorating yet? 

Guest Blogger: Boudreaux

Well, Mama and Daddy went away for a long time.  They went to ride a motorcycle in Galveston.  They didn't take Josie and me!  :(  Last time I went to Galveston they wanted me to swim in the ocean.  No thank YOU!  Josie likes it but I do NOT.

Mama is back now and Daddy is on the way.  (Mama went in her Bug car).

Get this: the motorcycle rally was at a beach.  The Southern edge of the continent.  And guess what they had there?  SNOW!  All over Galveston Island.  Go figure.  I told them not to go off and leave me...!

They have pictures and Mama said she will post them later.  Whatever!

My tummy is upset because of them being gone.  Mama had to give me a bath when she got home yesterday and another one after church today.  I don't like baths so I am shivering, rolled up in a towel in her lap. 

Mama was Vee-Pod today and went to church for TOO LONG.  Then she came home (and the bath) and soon she is leaving again for Lessons and Carols.  She is making a party for after, with cider.  I hope she comes home soon. 

What are all you pets doing for Advent?  I think I will not take any more baths, personally.