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On Being
Episcopalian
A Series
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Advent Meditation December 25
The Nativity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ
John 4:10 If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you “living water.”
What were the sounds in your household when you opened your eyes this morning? Did you awake to small feet running to see the gifts Santa left? Did you listen to the quiet of a still sleeping household where older children would stir later to find their gifts? Maybe you awakened at a relative or dear friend’s home where the sounds are all different. Perhaps, you awakened to the echoes of Christmas Mornings past, holding in your heart the many blessings and gifts of dear ones not present. Wherever this Nativity Morning finds you, the Gospel of John tells us of God’s gift to each of us, Jesus.
John’s Gospel is different from Luke’s Nativity Gospel where the story of Mary, Joseph and the Infant Christ’s coming into the world is told. John doesn’t have shepherds, cute, cuddly lambs, or singing angels. Nonetheless, this Gospel is also about a wondrous gift. John’s Gospel encourages us to receive the gift of Jesus’ Life for ourselves. John’s story of Jesus’ conversation with the notorious woman drawing water takes us into our own hearts and souls where our deepest longing for God is found. Jesus shows us by His own action of engaging in conversation with the woman he has come into the world to break down all the barriers that keep us from a full and loving relationship with His Father. Jesus is the LIVING WATER; His Life is our path to our souls’ desire. This one gift is the most life changing present you will ever receive. Open and embrace the gift of Jesus’ life, given for you. It has your name on it.
THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS...... (For a more complete meditation of John’s Gospel, obtain a copy of William Barclay’s The Daily Study Bible Series and read his commentary concerning LIVING WATER.)
Psalm 2, 132
Zech. 2:10-13
1 John 4:7-16
John 4: 3-15
Advent Meditation Christmas Eve, December 24
“... and so, in honor of the name of Jesus, all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below, will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God ...”
As I write this piece some two months prior to December 24th I wonder what Christmas will hold for each of us. Children always wonder what gifts St. Nicholas will deliver. In my family my sisters and I pondered what three presents we would receive on Christmas Day and what surprises each of the 12 days of Christmas would reveal. As challenging as it sometimes was, my parents always tried to keep Mary Scout, Leah and me focused on the birth of Christ. This year being with Bishop Samuel and the one thousand plus people that will gather at midnight at All Saints Cathedral in Nzara, South Sudan there might be once again a challenge for me to stay focused on the birth of Christ. The challenges might be for me not be focused on Christmas past – Christmas Eve worship at St. Timothy’s with my mom’s preaching, the choir singing, Mrs. Bice playing ... and not to be focused on presents under the tree or the turkey dinner and more. Isn’t this always the challenge? To let Christ be the focus of Christmas Eve? Christmas Day? The next 12 days? And beyond? On that I “will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord ...”
I send best Christmas wishes to all of you that gather at St. Timothy’s. In Christ’s Love, George
Isa. 59:15b-21
Phil. 2:5-11
Matt. 1:18-25
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 89:1
Advent Meditation December 24
Galatians 4:4-5 But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.
In today’s Gospel, Matthew traces the family tree from Abraham who had Isaac all the way to Joseph, Mary’s husband, “the Mary who gave birth to Jesus, the Jesus who was called Christ.” In the rural Midwest, we still identify people by their parents and grandparents, their aunts, uncles and cousins.
Matthew also thoughtfully provides the historical context of this genealogy, noting when David became king and the Babylonian exile’s beginning and end. Matthew seeks to show Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promise to the children of Abraham and to establish his credibility as God’s Son.
We read it today in anticipation of the birth of the babe tomorrow and the transformation of the world.
But Paul reminds the Galatians this transformation is also very personal – from being children or slaves who are guarded, protected, even held prisoner, by Mosaic law, to “being mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God.” We are no longer slaves, but the sons and daughters of God to whom he sent the Spirit of his Son who tells us we can pray, “Father!”
What a gift! God in human form. A baby who will teach us to turn to our Creator and call him not just Almighty Lord but Father!
FATHER, help me to experience the wonder of this birth as a child while accepting its significance as the spiritually mature being you created me to be. Amen.
Psalms 45, 46
Galatians 3:23 – 4:7
Matthew 1:1 -17
Advent Meditation December 23
Luke 1:67-80. And the child (John the Baptist) grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
As we near the birth of Jesus this story in Luke unfolds. Zechariah and Elizabeth are older and without children. Much the same situation that Abraham and Sara found themselves in. In both cases they are blessed with a son. A culmination to their prayers. God has answered...now what? As we know Isaac was the first child of the promise and with Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist is the first to suggest forgiveness of sin through baptism and repentance not sacrifices. What did these parents want for their child? Trust in God, health, happiness, knowing they were loved. Just as all parents they had dreams. What do we as parents want for our children? Similar things I believe. So what are we doing to instill lasting values for our children? It is our responsibility to make sure our children are a part of the solution not a part of the problem. And how do we do that? A good start is to instill the love of God and a need to give back or in today’s language – pay it forward. On this day and every day make it a point to let your children know what is important. We are not to be their friends but their coaches until they leave home. Make sure their hard drive is full of love and sure direction to be successful and understand their role in helping others. The greatest gift is not under the Christmas tree but the knowledge we impart to them. May the gifts God has given them be fully developed and utilized for good.
Baruch 4:21-29
Gal. 3:15-2
Psalm 148, 150
Advent Meditation December 22, 2011
Luke 1:57-66
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. 59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Being the first isn’t always easy. For John this was no exception. He was the first person to go and baptize people in the name of the Lord. He was always unique though, even from birth. His father was made mute until the day he was circumcised, and the Holy Spirit made his presence known loosening his tongue. He became the first to do what he did and went into the wilderness to escape persecution from people who didn’t agree with what he had to say. It took guts for John to do all he did. He lived in solitude and ate locust and wild honey. He walked around barefoot and wore a robe from camel’s hair. He was the first to really step out and fully preach and take on the word of the Lord, and that’s really scary.
Being the first to try to do anything, especially in the church, is very intimidating and is often a challenge. You don’t have a guide book to follow, no footsteps to lead you, and no advice from others before you. You often stumble, and there is no one there to pick you back up. You have to rely on yourself to stand tall and not look back. John was not afraid because he knew God had his back. God watched over John, and John had total trust in Him.
When we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place we do not always turn to the Lord first, but we need to. We often hear in church about how the Lord has to be first in our hearts and often, he isn’t. It is a full pledged commitment to be that binded to God, and we are all aware of that. But to be first, and to have as much confidence as John had and to be as successful as he was, we must turn to God fully and be completely open. It is not always easy being the first, but with the Lord’s help, it can be.
Psalms 80 & 146, 147
2 Samuel 7:18-29
Galatians 3:1-14
Luke 1:57-66
Advent Meditation December 21
Luke 1:48-49
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me.
Today the gospel focuses on two female Bible heroes. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, was old and barren and “in disgrace among the people” when pregnancy changed her whole life. Her relative, Mary, mother of Jesus, was young and an engaged virgin when pregnancy changed her whole life. The two women spent three months together as sons grew in their wombs. Perhaps Elizabeth imparted wisdom to Mary that helped prepare her... just as her son, John would prepare the way for Jesus. Perhaps the wise older lady helped the young inexperienced lady to understand that God’s plans for her were bigger and better than the plans that she had for herself. The angel, Gabriel asked Mary to let God grow within her. Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, let it be.” Isn’t that the same desire that God has for all of us? How do we respond?
In the 2 Samuel lesson, David wanted to build a house of cedar so God would have a place to dwell, but actually we are God’s home. The dwelling place of God is in humans.
Today, we remember the wise elder Elizabeth figures in our lives that have molded and mentored us and helped us along the way. We also strive to be the wise mentors who assist those younger inexperienced generations to come.
We are grateful, too, for the Mary figures in our lives that show us humility and the joys of a life where God is invited to dwell and to grow.
Luke 1:28 The Lord is with you.
Psalm 111:10 Reverence of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 111, 113
2 Samuel 7:1-17
Titus 2:11—3:8
Luke 1:39-56
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