Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Soon And Very Soon
Soon and Very Soon
(text and music by Andrae Crouch, adapted by Wm. F. Smith)
Since I've now learned to upload videos, I had to do this one again, because soon and very soon, we are going to see the king.
Advent is my favorite season of the church year. I love the daily readings which call us to account for falling short in doing justice and loving kindness, and walking humbly before our God, but at the same, the readings give us hope in the great love and mercy of God.
This year, especially, I have experienced a true sense of expectancy, a sense of waiting. I put up my decorations, which are fewer than in years past, including my Charlie Brown type Christmas tree, which has so many ornaments on it that it doesn't look at all pitiful. I do this mainly for my grandchildren.
Our church has no decorations at all, except for the large Advent wreath, which hangs down from a ceiling medallion on a chain which can be raised and lowered. We have flowers on the altar, but not Christmas flowers.
Last Sunday we sang one verse of several Christmas carols during the children's Christmas pageant, but other than that, we have sung no Christmas carols.
Other churches choose to decorate earlier and to sing carols earlier, and I don't mean to disparage the practice, but I do like that we wait until Christmas Eve. On that holy night, upon entering the church, we're greeted with a burst of color, red and green from poinsettias, holly, and other greenery against the soft cream of the walls, and red candles in brass candle holders with glass chimneys in the tall windows. It's a lovely, exciting, and sudden transformation of our church on the eve of the celebration of the birth of Our Lord.
I'm waiting.
I'm expectant.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Video from YouTube.
Your President On The Mortgage Crisis
Here's my attitude on housing: one, the government should never bail out lenders; two, some people bought a house that they shouldn't have been in the market; three, there are speculators who thought they could get -- buy nice, one of these reset mortgages and flip it, make some money -- I'm sure none of them are in the chamber, but nevertheless -- that's what happened.
....
I remember going down to the savings and loan and sitting down with the savings and loan officer and negotiating with the savings and loan officer. Well, this day and age you're going to use -- mortgages have been bundled, so the savings and loan doesn't own the mortgage anymore, or the bank doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore, the local lending institute doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore: it's owned by some international group, perhaps, or it's been bundled into an asset. And so there's hardly anybody to negotiate with. And so some lenders [sic] aren't sure where to turn
We're not bailing people out -- we're helping them refinance their money, we're helping them, you know -- we're helping them stay in a part of the American Dream is what we're doing, and it's worthwhile to do that.
That clears things up considerably, although to me the American dream has turned into the American nightmare. OCICBW.
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work.
....
I remember going down to the savings and loan and sitting down with the savings and loan officer and negotiating with the savings and loan officer. Well, this day and age you're going to use -- mortgages have been bundled, so the savings and loan doesn't own the mortgage anymore, or the bank doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore, the local lending institute doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore: it's owned by some international group, perhaps, or it's been bundled into an asset. And so there's hardly anybody to negotiate with. And so some lenders [sic] aren't sure where to turn
We're not bailing people out -- we're helping them refinance their money, we're helping them, you know -- we're helping them stay in a part of the American Dream is what we're doing, and it's worthwhile to do that.
That clears things up considerably, although to me the American dream has turned into the American nightmare. OCICBW.
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work.
AMDG
The letters above are an acronym. What do they stand for? I know that all of my readers are honest folks, and I'm putting you on your honor not to use Google. I'll give you one hint. The acronym is from the pre-computer age.
A Profile In Courage - Chris Dodd
I want this man for my president. Chris Dodd's threat of a filibuster caused weenie Harry Reid - who was supposed to be the Democrats "Give 'em hell, Harry", (but, alas! is not) - to back down from pushing through a new eavesdropping bill that would give the Telecom industry immunity for helping the powers to spy on you and me. You and I can't get retroactive immunity if we break the law, so why should the Telecoms? Quest refused to go along with the request to spy on its customers in 2001. The other Telecoms could have, too.
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON — In a setback for the White House, Senate Democrats on Monday put off until at least next month any decision on whether to give legal protection to the phone carriers that helped with the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program.
The Bush administration had pushed for immediate passage of legislation to grant immunity to the phone companies as part of a broader expansion of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping authorities. But that will not happen now.
We cannot relax. This is only a reprieve until January. Harry Reid looked shell-shocked in the video of the announcement of the postponement. Good. Maybe hearing from the people of the country will help him grow a backbone. The citizens are so far ahead of some of the Democrats in the Senate that it's pathetic.
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON — In a setback for the White House, Senate Democrats on Monday put off until at least next month any decision on whether to give legal protection to the phone carriers that helped with the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program.
The Bush administration had pushed for immediate passage of legislation to grant immunity to the phone companies as part of a broader expansion of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping authorities. But that will not happen now.
We cannot relax. This is only a reprieve until January. Harry Reid looked shell-shocked in the video of the announcement of the postponement. Good. Maybe hearing from the people of the country will help him grow a backbone. The citizens are so far ahead of some of the Democrats in the Senate that it's pathetic.
Unlikely Pick?
From the Associated Press via the Kentucky Herald-Leader:
PIKEVILLE --President Bush's pick for a top Department of Energy post is a former executive from Massey Energy, a company with a lengthy history of mine safety and environmental violations.
Bush last week nominated Stanley C. Suboleski to be the point person in developing policies related to coal and other fossil fuels.
My local paper ran this story with the headline that Suboleski was an "unlikely...pick". Where has this headline writer been for the last seven years?
PIKEVILLE --President Bush's pick for a top Department of Energy post is a former executive from Massey Energy, a company with a lengthy history of mine safety and environmental violations.
Bush last week nominated Stanley C. Suboleski to be the point person in developing policies related to coal and other fossil fuels.
My local paper ran this story with the headline that Suboleski was an "unlikely...pick". Where has this headline writer been for the last seven years?
Magnificat
"Annunciation" by Donatello - c. 1435 - Gilded pietra serena, Santa Croce, Florence
Mary’s Song of Praise
And Mary* said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’
The rector used the quote below in his Sunday sermon, and that put me in mind of the magnificent Magnificat.
"Here we have a passage which has become one of the great hymns of the Church - the Magnificat. It is steeped in the Old Testament and is closely related to Hannah's song of praise in 1Samuel 2:1-10. It has been said that religion is the opiate of the people; but it has also been said that the Magnificat is the most revolutionary document in the world.
....
He scatters the proud in the plans of their hearts. That is a moral revolution. Christianity is the death of pride. Why? Because if people set their lives beside that of Christ, it tears away the last vestiges of their pride."
The Gospel of Luke by William Barclay
And a modest offering from me - an O Antiphon of sorts.
O Blessed One
Mother of God, O holy one,
Inside your body, the Word made flesh,
As an infant, suckled at your breast.
The God-child, cared for gently, lovingly,
Grew in wisdom and in grace.
Mother of God, what did you know?
Were you sad? Were you fearful?
Midst the joy of family life,
Did you feel a piercing in your heart?
O blessed Mary, pray for us, sinners all.
Grandmère Mimi - 7/17/07
Image from the Web Gallery of art.
Monday, December 17, 2007
O Adonai
December 17
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel,
Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush,
and gavest him the law in Sinai,
come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!
Latin
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Isaiah 11:4-5
But with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
Once again, one day off from the Roman Catholic Church with the medieval Anglican Sarum Use dating.
Video from YouTube. Antiphon sung by the Dominican student brothers at Oxford.
Text from Fish Eaters.
UPDATE: Once again, check out Vicki Black's post on Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Café. I now know to link each day before I post on the antiphon.
Letter From Jesus About Christmas
Ann at What the Tide Brings In received the following in an email. She made it part of her sermon yesterday, which I think was a lovely idea. We should all be prepared with printed copies to hand out to folks who complain about the war on Christmas. We can have the letter saved on our computers to copy and send to those who email us about the war on Christmas.
Letter from Jesus about Christmas (slightly edited for Episcopalians)
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are removing My name from the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year -- it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually the time of pagan festival. Of course, I do appreciate being remembered at any time.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, here's how: GET ALONG WITH EACH AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on... If it bothers you that the town where you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen in your own front yard and put out your own Nativity scene. If all of My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for a display in the town square because there would already be so many all around your community.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made ALL trees. You can remember Me any time you see ANY tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten what I said, look up John 15: 1- 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wishlist.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President to complain about the wording on the White House cards this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then do it! It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. People in your town will attempt to take their own lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless. Since you don't know who they are, give everyone you meet a warm smile -- it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what retailers call this holiday, be patient with the people who work for them. Give each a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support organizations like Episcopal Relief and Development, who are working for better lives for refugees, prisoners, people suffering from diseases that are easily curable with a small amount of money, giving tools and resources so people can support their families.
9. There are individuals and families in your town who will not only have no "Christmas" tree, but also no presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, take some food and gifts to a charity who will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do or say things that you wouldn't do or say in My presence. Remember -- When you speak badly of my children, you are speaking badly of Me; when you treat each other badly, you do the same to Me. Let people know by your words and actions that you are one of Mine.
Don't get so worked up about what you think are slights about me that occur in the material world. I am God and I can take care of Myself. I am not diminished by those things.
Instead, simply love Me and do what I have asked you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.
AMEN.
What would I do without help from my friends?
Letter from Jesus about Christmas (slightly edited for Episcopalians)
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are removing My name from the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year -- it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually the time of pagan festival. Of course, I do appreciate being remembered at any time.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, here's how: GET ALONG WITH EACH AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on... If it bothers you that the town where you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen in your own front yard and put out your own Nativity scene. If all of My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for a display in the town square because there would already be so many all around your community.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made ALL trees. You can remember Me any time you see ANY tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten what I said, look up John 15: 1- 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wishlist.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President to complain about the wording on the White House cards this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then do it! It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. People in your town will attempt to take their own lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless. Since you don't know who they are, give everyone you meet a warm smile -- it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit-picking about what retailers call this holiday, be patient with the people who work for them. Give each a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support organizations like Episcopal Relief and Development, who are working for better lives for refugees, prisoners, people suffering from diseases that are easily curable with a small amount of money, giving tools and resources so people can support their families.
9. There are individuals and families in your town who will not only have no "Christmas" tree, but also no presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, take some food and gifts to a charity who will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do or say things that you wouldn't do or say in My presence. Remember -- When you speak badly of my children, you are speaking badly of Me; when you treat each other badly, you do the same to Me. Let people know by your words and actions that you are one of Mine.
Don't get so worked up about what you think are slights about me that occur in the material world. I am God and I can take care of Myself. I am not diminished by those things.
Instead, simply love Me and do what I have asked you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.
AMEN.
What would I do without help from my friends?
Why Do I Bother?
Here's Ruth Gledhill at the Times Online, on the Archbishop of Canterbury's letter to the primates of the Anglican communion, which the headline characterizes as calling the American church to account because of its "pro-gay agenda".
I bother because of the comments. There were several that made me laugh.
The very first comment says that not only is same-sexuality sinful, but just thinking about it is sinful. Can you write about same-sexuality without thinking about it? Just askin'.
Another says that he thinks he might be gay, so he's joining the priesthood to get the thought out of his mind.
In the UK, there are 26 million Anglicans, but only 1 million attend church. The commenter asks how the other 25 million are known to be Anglican and says that he hopes they're not counting him.
I bother because of the comments. There were several that made me laugh.
The very first comment says that not only is same-sexuality sinful, but just thinking about it is sinful. Can you write about same-sexuality without thinking about it? Just askin'.
Another says that he thinks he might be gay, so he's joining the priesthood to get the thought out of his mind.
In the UK, there are 26 million Anglicans, but only 1 million attend church. The commenter asks how the other 25 million are known to be Anglican and says that he hopes they're not counting him.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Advent Letter From Bishop Jenkins
From Churchwork, the publication of the Diocese of Louisiana, from The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins:
"Do we think that God participates in the life of the world? Do we believe that God has taken flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? The revelation of God in Holy Scripture is that God has become one of us, taking human nature from the Blessed Virgin Mary and at the very same time maintaining the Divine nature. This is the incredible good news for which we both prepare during Advent and celebrate in Christmas. In the testimony of the fourth Gospel we read, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." And the Good News continues, for God's taking of humanity, though done once and for all, is not the end of God's dealing with us. The Holy Spirit has been given and is given to us for the salvation of the world.
"There is an unmistakable and necessary moral and social implication to the Incarnation that is sometimes lost in the rush of holiday festivity. In the Incarnation, God did not simply "come down" but has also "raised up" humanity to the Divine. This action of God, known in the New Testament and in classical theology as theosis, is one of the foundational truths upon which rests the baptismal affirmation of the dignity of every human being. The missio dei, or "mission of God," with which we are engaged is not simply about us only, but about all humanity. Indeed, we who are of the Faith continue the journey of sanctification (holiness) nourished by the Sacraments, encouraged in Community, guided by the Holy Spirit, grounded in Holy Scripture. and assured in Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Our journey to holiness of necessity includes the missio dei which is the perfect goal of our ministry. There is nothing selfish about the missio dei, for it is instead about the generosity of self-offering.
"The ministry of our diocese has changed greatly over the last two years. The generosity of others has enabled our self-offering in this ministry. We should all know of our common work in feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, caring for the sick, seeking quality education for all children, cleaning up the destroyed homes, and even rebuilding those homes. Yet there is another quality to our ministry which I think also speaks to the missio dei. We are involved in a ministry of advocacy for those who have no one else to speak with them and for them. This ministry is not associated with any political theory, movement or party as such. Instead, our work of advocacy for the dignity of every person is based in Scripture, theology and common prayer.
"I cannot come to the altar for my Christmas Communion without a lively sense of this ministry of advocacy. As others advocate for us so, must we take up and continue that ministry on behalf of the world.
"You will find Christ and be found by Him in your Christmas Communion. You will be nourished with the bread of angels. Let us not leave God's altar unchanged and uncritically accepting of the social situation in which we live. May the blessings of the "Word made flesh" be yours this Christmas and for all time, and may we be a blessing to the world in which we minister.
+Charles E. Jenkins"
Amen. May the blessings of the "Word made flesh" be also with you, Bishop Jenkins.
"Do we think that God participates in the life of the world? Do we believe that God has taken flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? The revelation of God in Holy Scripture is that God has become one of us, taking human nature from the Blessed Virgin Mary and at the very same time maintaining the Divine nature. This is the incredible good news for which we both prepare during Advent and celebrate in Christmas. In the testimony of the fourth Gospel we read, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." And the Good News continues, for God's taking of humanity, though done once and for all, is not the end of God's dealing with us. The Holy Spirit has been given and is given to us for the salvation of the world.
"There is an unmistakable and necessary moral and social implication to the Incarnation that is sometimes lost in the rush of holiday festivity. In the Incarnation, God did not simply "come down" but has also "raised up" humanity to the Divine. This action of God, known in the New Testament and in classical theology as theosis, is one of the foundational truths upon which rests the baptismal affirmation of the dignity of every human being. The missio dei, or "mission of God," with which we are engaged is not simply about us only, but about all humanity. Indeed, we who are of the Faith continue the journey of sanctification (holiness) nourished by the Sacraments, encouraged in Community, guided by the Holy Spirit, grounded in Holy Scripture. and assured in Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Our journey to holiness of necessity includes the missio dei which is the perfect goal of our ministry. There is nothing selfish about the missio dei, for it is instead about the generosity of self-offering.
"The ministry of our diocese has changed greatly over the last two years. The generosity of others has enabled our self-offering in this ministry. We should all know of our common work in feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, caring for the sick, seeking quality education for all children, cleaning up the destroyed homes, and even rebuilding those homes. Yet there is another quality to our ministry which I think also speaks to the missio dei. We are involved in a ministry of advocacy for those who have no one else to speak with them and for them. This ministry is not associated with any political theory, movement or party as such. Instead, our work of advocacy for the dignity of every person is based in Scripture, theology and common prayer.
"I cannot come to the altar for my Christmas Communion without a lively sense of this ministry of advocacy. As others advocate for us so, must we take up and continue that ministry on behalf of the world.
"You will find Christ and be found by Him in your Christmas Communion. You will be nourished with the bread of angels. Let us not leave God's altar unchanged and uncritically accepting of the social situation in which we live. May the blessings of the "Word made flesh" be yours this Christmas and for all time, and may we be a blessing to the world in which we minister.
+Charles E. Jenkins"
Amen. May the blessings of the "Word made flesh" be also with you, Bishop Jenkins.
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