15 December 2011

Aloha!       

I have always been a morning person but have not always been so open or extreme about it.  Particularly in college when all of my roommates and dorm mates were burning the midnight oil I would be nodding off at around midnight and would always opt for early morning classes, but would try to force my body to do unnatural circadian gymnastics in an effort not to be thought antisocial or odd.  As an adult, however, I have given free rein to this quirky eccentricity of mine and now make it a habit to get up at 1:00 am on weekdays.

Besides the obvious peace, quiet, and coolness of the morning--the deep indigo of the dawn sky and the thrill of being the only one awake to appreciate God's creation at that hour--what I cherish most about the morning is the refreshing sense of redemption and limitless potential that seem to get drowned out as soon as the rest of the world begins its day.  Problems that seemed insurmountable and intractable the evening before don't seem half as bad and all things seem possible with the rising of the sun.  It is certainly no accident that people wrestling with a major decision are told to, "sleep on it," as David recognized when he wrote in Psalm 30,

Sing to the Lord, you servants of his;

   give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,

   his favor for a lifetime.

Weeping may spend the night,

   but joy comes in the morning.

It should come as no surprise that Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the church year, which I think is true of all morning people.  We enjoy being awake and alert at times that the rest of the world looks askance at and we tend to be introspective and contemplative.  I find that the bracing and refreshing sense of renewal and the hushed anticipation as creation holds its collective breath characteristic of the season are especially keen at some of the more cozy and quieter services that are off the beaten path--Morning Prayer on Sundays, for example, or the Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings.  If you're looking for a break and an oasis from the secular madness of the season, please consider joining us at one of these services to reconnect with your inner morning person and rediscover the serenity of attuning yourself to a creation redeemed and sanctified by the Incarnation of Christ and awaiting with certainty and eagerness his coming again.  You won't be disappointed and you'll discover one of the hidden gems of St. Mark's liturgical offerings.

The rest of the world can have its Black Fridays, Cyber Mondays, and decorations up before Thanksgiving.  I'll take the soft tranquility of a December Advent morning any day.

Blessings,

Michael Ida, ObJN

Sr. Warden of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Honolulu

Ends December 18 

The Giving Tree for the Holy Land is on the front door of the church.  Parishioners may choose from a wide variety of ornaments.  Each ornament has a gift listed for a child in the Holy Land with the appropriate monetary amount. We ask that the ornaments be returned with the monetary amount by December 18. The total amount will then be given to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, benefiting children in the Holy Land. Please consider choosing an ornament and making a donation for this worthy cause.

MORE INFORMATION 

Donations due December 18

Every Christmas St. Mark's has beautiful flowers adorning our altars and wonderful music offered at our liturgies.  You can help ensure this tradition continues.  Envelopes are in the back of the church for Christmas flower and music memorials and thanksgivings.