Advent

Struggle of Waiting!

We struggle to wait, whether that be in a shopping line, a ticket line, at a bus or train stop, even at a red light! When everything seems so instant waiting for the tea kettle to boil can be a struggle. Advent is a season of preparation and hopeful waiting. Today, I share with youContinue reading “Struggle of Waiting!”

Advent – a time of waiting. We often think it is us who do all the waiting, but perhaps it is God who is waiting for us to come to our proper sense of soul and it is God waiting for our prodigal return. I wonder! On the subject of Advent and Waiting, James K.Continue reading “ADVENT”

Kenosis – Self-emptying of God

Sadly, what I wrote this time last year seems to be the most appropriate words to post today. With one small edit I repost from last year. – The spontaneous ceasefire on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1914 came about as British, Belgian, and French soldiers put down their weapons and climbed out of theirContinue reading “Kenosis – Self-emptying of God”

That time of year! Three for One!

This is a week when many travel to be with family and friends at the time of Thanksgiving. For many it is a return to the place of their birth, their childhood. These places hold so many memories, Yet when we return it never looks or feels quite the same or as we expected. EvenContinue reading “That time of year! Three for One!”

And is it true?

The English poet John Betjeman’s poem “Christmas” has been part of my Christmas celebration each and every year, along with Eliot’s Journey of the Magi. I often used his poem in worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Eliot’s poem will be my next post! For now, just 6 days away from Christmas, it isContinue reading “And is it true?”

Waiting!

In the Christian calendar December 3rd marks the first Sunday of Advent. This is a season of preparation , a season of waiting, a season of hoping, a season of expectation. Today in our war torn world many people and nations wait, hope and expect something better than the present. Those of us in theContinue reading “Waiting!”

White Christmas

As I prepare to post this poem the snow has begun here in St. Louis. We are expecting a possible 2-4 inches as the storm moves west to east. As always weather proves somewhat unpredictable We are prepared, though we hope the snow will pass quickly. So today I invite you to take time, don’tContinue reading “White Christmas”

Inside the Miracle!

“Rise Up,” a stained glass window bank by Cbabi Bayoc at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion in University City, Missouri. Photo source: Episcopal Church of the Holy Communio In this the second week of Advent, we move ever closer to the celebration of Christmas and the retelling of the story of Christ’s birth.Continue reading “Inside the Miracle!”

Lo! faithful Virgin

Madonna and Child possibly 1230s Of solemnly hieratic beauty, this is one of only two works that can be confidently assigned to Berlinghiero, the leading painter in the Tuscan city of Lucca. It follows the Byzantine type known as the Hodegetria (“She who shows the way”), familiar from icons that arrived in Italy following theContinue reading “Lo! faithful Virgin”

Kyrie eleison

Suddenly we have arrived in month of December. In the Christian church we are in the season of Advent – the period of waiting and preparing to herald the Good News of Christ’s birth. This season presents us with such a wonderful choice when it comes to poems. Like me, you no doubt have yourContinue reading “Kyrie eleison”