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Thursday, December 6, 2012
Advent Reflections
Christian Formation Commission
St. Nicholas Day
Nicholas is famed as the traditional patron saint of seafarers and sailors,and, more especially, of children. As a bearer of gifts to children, his name was brought to America by Dutch colonists in New York, from whom he is popularly known as Santa Claus.
Almighty God, in your love you gave your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness both on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
from Holy Women, Holy Men-Celebrating the Saints
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Greetings!
Thank you for joining us as we begin the journey of Advent. Each day you will receive a scripture reading, a reflection on that reading and a short prayer. Join us as we journey together in anticipation of our Saviour's birth.
As you begin these daily Advent meditations, consider adopting some type of "rule of life." Consider spending a brief time each day in Bible reading, reading these meditations, exploring the "family worship section" of the Book of Common Prayer or any of the Advent themed links shown at the bottom of this email. If we continue an activity for 21 days, research shows, it becomes a habit.
Christian Formation Commission
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"The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The idols shall utterly pass away. Enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away to the moles and to the bats their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts in the crags, from the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth."
Isaiah 2:17-21
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Reflection
Not long ago, I heard that some people have attributed the ravages of Super Storm Sandy to the wrath of God. Yesterday, a 30-something, "non-affiliated" (with any religious body) person asked me if I thought God was angry with us. Isaiah's description of "the terror of the Lord" probably resonates with some who were in the midst of Sandy's devastation. Are we being judged and punished by an angry God? It seems to me that God doesn't need to pour down torrents or cause floods. We humans are quite capable of causing climate change on our own, thank you very much!
The value in contemplating God's role in disasters is contemplating God; turning to God, looking for help from God, making meaning out of loss with God, learning from our experience through God's wisdom, giving thanks to God for what is saved, or creating something new with the God who always makes new. Perhaps then we will see "the glory of his majesty."
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Prayer
Creator God, in whom what is cast down is being raised up
and in whom what has grown old is being made new;
help us to partner with your good power to accomplish your loving will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Christian Formation Commission invites you to explore these resources:
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