FEAST DAY OF STEPHEN, DEACON AND MARTYR

ANGELICO, Fra - "The Stoning of St Stephen" - 1447-49
Fresco, Cappella Niccolina, Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican

Acts 7:51-60

‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

Who wants to hear such a sermon? As Padre Mickey says, "Stephen was quite a preacher. His sermons brought folks to repentance and to seek baptism, but his sermons could also really anger those in authority. One day he went too far and was stoned by a mob who had become enraged by his sermon."

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.

Forgiveness again. Lovely as an ideal, but not easy to put into practice. Lord, forgive my unforgiveness.

Collect of the Day: St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

"Good King Wenceslas" - York Minster

Image from the Web Gallery of Art.

IN THE SPIRIT OF PEACE AND GOOD WILL?

The Most Rev Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
United States of America

Thursday 15th December 2011

Dear Bishop Katharine,

Advent greetings to you in the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is with a heavy heart that I write you informing you of our decision as a House of Bishops to withdraw your invitation to the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS). We acknowledge your personal efforts to spearhead prayer and support campaigns on behalf of the ECS and remain very grateful for this attention you and your church have paid to Sudan and South Sudan. However, it remains difficult for us to invite you when elements of your church continue to flagrantly disregard biblical teaching on human sexuality.

Find attached a statement further explaining our position as a province.

(Signed)

--(The Most Rev.) Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak, Archbishop Primate and Metropolitan of the Province of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and Bishop of the Diocese of Juba

Peace and blessings to you in the spirit of the holy season, Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul.

Most dioceses in the Episcopal Church will very likely continue their relationships with dioceses and parishes in Sudan. By doing so, they will witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Initial responses from dioceses in the Episcopal Church may be found at The Lead.

H/T to Simon Sarmiento at Thinking Anglicans.

I WALK BY NIGHT

Above you see me modeling one of my Christmas presents, an orange reflector vest. The purpose of the vest is to keep me from being run down by a car when I take my nightly walk.

As you see above, the reflector vest works. I'm not sure what the drivers will think I am, but perhaps not knowing is best, because they may avoid me because I could damage their cars.

UPDATE: A more ethereal view from my daughter-in law. LOL!

THE LOUISIANA GANG IN TWO PARTS

 

The two younger generations.

 

The youngest and the oldest generations.

CHRISTMAS 2011

STORY OF THE DAY - SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAY

Rules for a successful holiday: 1. Get
together with the family 2. Relive old
times 3. Get out before it blows

From StoryPeople.

Pictured above are my grandchildren from holiday gatherings in the past.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!

UPDATE: The bald-haired man is not my grandchild.

O HOLY NIGHT!

CORREGGIO - Nativity (Holy Night) - 1528-30
Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

The Collect

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96

Sing to the LORD a new song; *
sing to the LORD, all the whole earth.

Sing to the LORD and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations *
and his wonders among all peoples.

For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
he is more to be feared than all gods.

As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!

Ascribe to the LORD, you families of the peoples; *
ascribe to the LORD honor and power.

Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his Name; *
bring offerings and come into his courts.

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; *
let the whole earth tremble before him.

Tell it out among the nations: "The LORD is King! *
he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
let the field be joyful and all that is therein.

Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
before the LORD when he comes, *
when he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness *
and the peoples with his truth.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

[When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. ]

O Holy Night: Kings College Choir, Cambridge

I WISH YOU ALL A BLESSED AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

MAY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST, THE NEWBORN KING, PIERCE THE DARKNESS AND FILL YOU WITH JOY!

Image from the Web Gallery of Art.

A TOUCHING CHRISTMAS STORY

A married couple had been out shopping at the mall for most of the afternoon, suddenly, the wife realized that her husband had "disappeared".

The somewhat irate spouse called her mate’s cell phone and demanded: "Where the hell are you?"

Husband: "Darling you remember that Jewelry shop where you saw the Diamond Necklace and totally fell in love with it and I didn't have money that time and I said, 'Baby it'll be yours one day'."

Wife, with a smile blushing: "Yes, I remember that, my Love."

Husband: "Well, I'm in the Bar next to that shop."

Don't blame me. Blame Doug.

TWO STORIES OF THE DAY

ANCIENT KINGS

My grandmother kept a box of old
photos in her attic & we used to go up
there on rainy days & sit on the floor in
the dusty light & go through them & she
would tell about witches & broken
hearts & how we came from royal blood
& it was all there in the pictures, she
said & then we'd lose the light & we'd all
go downstairs for dinner & in our secret
hearts we sat taller knowing once we
had ruled the world.

SEASON OF JOY

She asked me when the season of joy
was supposed to end & I said I didn't
really think there was an exact date, so
we left the tree up till June that year.

From StoryPeople here and here.

BISHOP GEORGE AND BROOK PACKARD INTERVIEW

From Bishop Packard's blog Occupied Bishop:

Though not all are observant Christians, they are respectful of each other's traditions. For example, one OWS member fostered the idea of a full day of carolling starting at midnight and continuing throughout the following day. Now that's "Occupy Christmas"! Others, believers or not, have clustered around this "action" in support.

Read the rest at Bishop George's post, 'Christmas with Occupy'.


H/T to Andrew Gerns at The Lead for the link to the video.

'THE CULTIVATION OF CHRISTMAS TREES' - T S ELIOT

There are several attitudes towards Christmas,
Some of which we may disregard:
The social, the torpid, the patently commercial,
The rowdy (the pubs being open till midnight),
And the childish - which is not that of the child
For whom the candle is a star, and the gilded angel
Spreading its wings at the summit of the tree
Is not only a decoration, but an angel.

The child wonders at the Christmas Tree:
Let him continue in the spirit of wonder
At the Feast as an event not accepted as a pretext;
So that the glittering rapture, the amazement
Of the first-remembered Christmas Tree,
So that the surprises, delight in new possessions
(Each one with its peculiar and exciting smell),
The expectation of the goose or turkey
And the expected awe on its appearance,

So that the reverence and the gaiety
May not be forgotten in later experience,
In the bored habituation, the fatigue, the tedium,
The awareness of death, the consciousness of failure,
Or in the piety of the convert
Which may be tainted with a self-conceit
Displeasing to God and disrespectful to children
(And here I remember also with gratitude
St.Lucy, her carol, and her crown of fire):

So that before the end, the eightieth Christmas
(By "eightieth" meaning whichever is last)
The accumulated memories of annual emotion
May be concentrated into a great joy
Which shall be also a great fear, as on the occasion
When fear came upon every soul:
Because the beginning shall remind us of the end
And the first coming of the second coming.

I love especially the second stanza of the poem, with its description of the wonder of a child at the Christmas tree and the final stanza, perhaps because I am old.

The illustration at the head of the post shows the "Queen's Christmas tree at Windsor Castle published in the Illustrated London News, 1848, and republished in Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia in December 1850." From Wikipedia.