Advent 1

 Advent 1

Guest Writer Karen Dubert

“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness,

and put on the armour of light,

now in the time of this mortal life

in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility.”—Book of Common Prayer, Collect p. 211.

Advent One

Give us grace to cast away

the things designed to lead astray,

the things that of necessity

distract our hearts most easily,

 

grace to loosen and release

what makes us yearn to live at ease:

the thoughts which thoughtless hearts beset

and lead down paths of word-regret.

 

To cast away the works of dark

that damage soul and dim the spark

of Image faint we should reflect;

instead we manage to connect

 

and cling to comfort, rights and will:

ragged blankets to cover self,

words and phrases all designed

to justify “what’s mine is mine”.

 

I read these words on Advent One

and passed them blithely over.

What works of darkness have I done?

this prayer is for the other.

 

But later in the afternoon

a different light shone through them.

grace to cast away gives room

and space to welcome heaven.

Karen Dubert

Joanna Seibert.   joannaseibert.com. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Dog in the Manger

A Dog in the Manger

“’I want to put Jesus in the manger!”

You did it last year. It’s my turn.”

No, I’m the oldest, I get to do it.”

Well, I’m the youngest, I think I should!”

Maggie grabbed the figure from Jack and accidentally dropped it face down on the hard floor.

“Now you’ve done it,” cried Jack.”’—Jim Simons, A Dog in the Manger and Other Christmas Stories (Rowman and Littlefield 2015) p 1.

Jim Simons is an Episcopal priest who decides to write and tell a story for his Christmas Eve sermon every year, which eventually now births into this collection of Christmas sermons called A Dog in the Manger.   Simons reminds us that Jesus tells stories, and the birth narratives consist of two different stories told by two authors, Luke and Matthew. He reminds us that the Christmas season is a time to tell stories about our roots, parents and grandparents, and early life.

Simon’s stories are entertaining, with a deep and meaningful message of hope that Jesus’ birth brings, signifying the deep love of God for each of us. The stories are fiction, but no doubt have come from his life experiences. The book’s title comes from the first story about a puppy whose passion is going around town, returning home to his new owner, all the baby Jesuses from outdoor nativity displays.

  I bought the book a few years ago when I was preaching more often, looking for material for sermons for the Christmas season. I often preach about Christmas pageants, because I have been involved in so many. At least half of Simons’ stories are related to these dramas that consistently add new and unexpected incarnational wisdom to Christmas.

This past year, I have been reading many spiritual nonfiction writings in preparation for this book and two others. As Advent approaches, I know I have been hungry for stories, and serendipitously, this book appears in my stack for Christmas. My goal has been to read at least one story or at least half a story a day, but I cannot put the book down most days. Indeed, perhaps one factor for this craving has been the months I have put reading fiction on hold. A Dog in the Manger is precisely what I needed at the beginning of this liturgical year. I will share it with you if, by chance, you hear a similar call.

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

 

Morning Devotions

 Morning Devotions

Guest Writer: Kate Moorehead

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life…

                                                                                                            Collect, BCP p. 236

To All Who May Receive This Message,

In March of 2020, the coronavirus came to us suddenly. Like so many, I was alone and frightened. I was praying one morning when I had a very clear thought.

            Go to your prayer desk.

Those were the words that came to my mind.  I immediately understood them to mean that I should film myself at my prayer desk. In other words, bring people with me as I do my daily devotions, so I did, having no idea what I was doing.

In four months, I will have been filming for four years!  And every day, between 450-600 people watch the devotions. I feel that the Holy Spirit is using these devotions to reach out to people so they can digest the Bible in small bites.

If you would like to join me for 4-6 minutes each day, just click this link to sign up https://www.jaxcathedral.org/morning-devotions/

God bless you!

With love in Christ,

Kate+

Joanna. joannseibert.com