December Twenty-Twenty

A couple years ago, I stood in the cave at Greccio, before the stone manger with a little straw laid on top. One light shown on the manger and another on an old peeling fresco on the back wall showing Mary, the baby and a kneeling St. Francis.  The moment hushed me into silence and awe, wonder and thanks. There is something awe-filled about that Italian cave but what I think Francis hoped for was that if Greccio could be a little Bethlehem, then everyplace could be Bethlehem. We can have Bethlehem moments anywhere and kneel in wonder. Even here and now. Maybe, especially here and now as we push again toward birthing love and healing, justice and inclusion for all people in our country and throughout the world. -Larry J. Peacock 

Christmas brings no pressure to be 'up.' The 'hopes and fears of all the years' meet in Jesus; and a 'weary world rejoices' at his coming. Hope doesn't replace fear; it invades it. Rejoicing doesn't replace weariness; it inhabits it. -Scotty Smith 

My soul is so much like a stable. It is so poor and in unsatisfactory condition because of guilt, falsehoods, inadequacies and sin. Yet. I believe if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can also be born in me.  - Dorothy Day

Steadfast Tin Soldier 2020 - see Anna's dance as the Swan here and as the Paper Ballerina here. 

It is Advent again. In his sermon this morning, Oscar Uzin said: "Be alert, be alert, so that you will be able to recognize your Lord in your husband, your wife, your parents, your children, your friends, your teachers, but also in all that you read in the daily papers. The Lord is coming, is always coming. Be alert to his coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord." -Henri Nouwen 

Holy One, into such a world as ours and such a time as this, you chose to enter. Again and again, you visit us in the darkest times of life. Again and again, you surprise us in the midst of hectic schedules, tense cities, global pandemics, and worried lives. Cause us to breathe deeply and receive this amazing good news. -Larry J. Peacock 

Candles of joy, despite all sadness, candles of hope where despair keeps watch.

candles of courage for fears ever present, candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, candles of love to inspire all my living, candles that will burn all the year long.  -Howard Thurman

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” —Henri J.M. Nouwen

And I believe that the Christ child is always born where he is most needed, where he is most cherished, where he is most potent. So wherever in your life you need this babe – that is always where he is to be found.  Whoever listening right now who needs this baby… It is unto you a child is born. Unto you. Unto you the mother without her own children. Unto you an addict who can’t keep clean. Unto you the survivor. Unto you who can’t lose it because you have to keep it together for everyone else. Unto you the bullied kid. Unto you whose family never got you. Unto you who lost your parents this year. Unto you who doesn't know how in the world you can keep going. Unto you. Unto you a child is born. And also unto me.  And also unto me and all who already smell of sheep and grass and dirt.  Because the Christ child is always born wherever he is most needed. Wherever a soul needs to feel its worth. Merry Christmas, family. Amen. -Nadia Bolz Weber, Christmas Eve 2020 

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Giving thanks for the wonderful family and friends who have surrounded us in 2020...