Wise Men aWakening

My wise men have been hermetically sealed in bubble wrap for the past 3 months.

Was that necessary? Well, there was really no where for them to reside in safety.

At least they had their favorite Thomas Merton book to keep them company.

And since we are moving into our new digs within the coming week I thought it best to wake them,

after all Epiphany is right around the corner!

Unfortunately I’m bringing them back on the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

This is not their favorite memory as they feel responsible for

Herod killing innocent children in an attempt to kill the Christ.

But how were they to know?

Anyway, here is today’s Collect – Let us continue to pray for the grieving families of Newtown, CT.

We remember today, O God,

the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod.

Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims;

and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants

and establish your rule of justice, love and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

engaging reality

“Mystery

is an engagement

with reality

that is so deep

as to be

incomprehensible

by our minds

except through

God’s revelation.”

- Rev. Randall C.K. Day,

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Teaneck, New Jersey

lots to ponder in this one!

Advent Calendars!

Is it just me, or are Advent calendars becoming very popular these days? 

 Everywhere I turn I see them.  For instance,

You've got your Star Wars Advent Calendar:

 

 

And the Barbie Advent Calendar:

 

 

Let's not forget the Beer Advent Calendar:

 

 

And for all the feline fanciers out there, the Cat Advent Calendar:

 

We currently have four Advent Calendars in our home, though none of the above mentioned. 

This must make us a) obsessed with countdowns b) very into Advent,

c) your typical over-the-top consumer, or d) all of the above.

 

The first Advent calendar is one I've had for years. 

It consists of a wooden box filled with doors behind which the seeker will find 

tiny hand blown glass ornaments that are hung on a small tree. 

 This is always a hit with the little ones.

 

Our next Advent calendar has the ever popular Scandinavian Holy Family - all blondes...

notice there are several windows open:

 

 

Every year we receive the Slow Down Advent Calendar at church, which is on our back door:

Every day there is something to read and you can color on it if you so wish:

 

 

And last but definitely not least is the Trader Joe's chocolate calendar:

 

 

This one has caused some issues with Fredrick who is 2. 

 Once he discovered that there was CHOCOLATE

behind that first door he wanted to punch in all the doors.

And why not?  Why can't he just have it all?

 

 Through his 2 year old eyes he probably saw the calendar looking like this one

(which I stole from here.)

 

 

Um....it's not just 2 year olds who have trouble waiting.

I completely relate to the No Self Control Calendar.

And yet, we are called to wait.

For the birth of the holy one.

 

So no matter what kind of Advent calendar you follow,

enjoy opening one day at a time,

living in the present.

And remember this:

 

Waiting is our Advent spiritual practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

First Candle

 

Welcome to the Season of Advent...

We are 3 days in and I'm not quite feeling it yet...how about you? 

Maybe because waiting has become such an integral part of my life?

I'm finding that all I have energy for at this moment is in

lighting the first candle which represents hope

and just sitting in its presence. 

That is prayer in itself. 

Jesus is coming.

 

Listen to the opening of Sunday's Prayers of the People,

written by Christine Hemp:

 

"We have lit the first candle, Lord.

Green has turned into purple,

and we begin our walk toward Christmas.

Startle us into seeing the journey afresh this year.

Open our eyes to the sun and the moon and the stars

and what Jesus really meant when he told us to pay attention.

Help us to see you face-to-face and restore what is lacking in our faith,

in our vision of who you are and how you reveal yourself to us.

Give us eyes to see and ears to hear."

 

from Prayers of the People for the First Sunday of Advent

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Port Townsend, WA

Author:  Christine Hemp