Dec25
December 25, 2011 (The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ) Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12) John 1:1-14 When I was the young curate at St. Matthew’s, Evanston, the then rector used to like to tell his version of Clement Clark Moore’s Christmas Story both to the parish children and any adult who would listen. His version began in the usual way: “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stocking were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”...
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Dec24
December 24, 2011 (Christmas Eve) Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14(15-20) (From The Lectionary Page) It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m filled with wonder. Not just the kind of wonder that’s akin to awe, but also the kind of wonder that . . .well . . . wonders. I wonder what Christmas 2011 means to a mother who has lost her husband, who must take care of 3 or 4 children, working every day, never quite getting everything done, never making ends meet? What does Christmas mean to her? I wonder what Christmas means to the little man in...
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Dec18
December 18, 2011 (Fourth Sunday of Advent) 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Canticle 15 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 (From The Lectionary Page) In my early morning perusal of faith-based websites earlier this week, I came upon one of the most arresting contemporary images of Mary of Nazareth. She is depicted holding in one hand a home pregnancy test, while her other hand is clapped over her mouth. Her face registers a range of emotions: astonishment, joy, fear, hope. If you belong to the sisterhood of motherhood – even if your “baby” now has children of his or her own – you...
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Dec14
From Grady Sanford: The House Abraham Builds started its regular work schedule December 3. We are on track to build Wednesday through Saturday each week for 10 weeks with time off to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Building a house is a large undertaking and workers are welcome. So, if you are wanting to get involved this is an ideal time. It is the beginning of the build so things move quickly and you can really see your hard work paying off. Check your calendar for that week or any of the following weeks through February and let me...
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Dec11
December 11, 2011 (Third Sunday of Advent) Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Canticle 15 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 (From The Lectionary Page) It is the third Sunday of the Holy Season of Advent, a time of joyful anticipation in the Church and sometimes not-so-joyful experiences in the secular ‘holiday’ world. For a few days last week Grady and I joined a group on retreat in a monastery in western Arkansas. Subiaco Abby sits like a medieval stone fortress high on a hill, surrounded by fertile fields and grazing cattle. If you imagine that it is easier to maintain a prayerful...
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Dec04
December 4, 2011 (Second Sunday of Advent) Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 (From The Lectionary Page) My ancestors in England raised Dorset sheep. Journals and letters that have survived through the generations mention a variety of chores related to this particular kind of animal husbandry; among other things, sheep-shearing, an event which apparently happened in late spring, after lambing season and before what passes for summer heat in England set in. But before the sheep were sheared, apparently, they had to be washed. Nearly two hundred years ago, this involved herding the flock into the...
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