The shepherds are my favorite group of Christmas characters. I think if I could choose to be at one place during that miraculous event or be one of the characters myself – it would have been the shepherds. I love their enthusiasm. Their willingness to go. How they told others the good news. I have been rereading slowly the Christmas story as part of my Advent preparation, finding new insights and lessons. What did the shepherds show me this year? “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger”. Be open to change – I resist shifts in my plans. I get my to do list ready, my trajectory in line and I start. Don’t stop me once I begin my routine. I hate getting sidetracked. But the shepherds knew better. They knew God likes to surprise us and reminds us He is in charge. And what a gift to follow God’s unexpected leads in life. One night, one moment in time one powerful encounter with God will forever change our lives if we only follow and … [Read more...]
Ordinary People from Little Known Places – Lectio Divina
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1: 26-27 Lord I read the other day that Nazareth was a tiny town with probably 500 residents. Mary was an ordinary teenager with all the hopes and dreams of many a girl. Yet you used both this small village and a common unknown person to change the world. And I doubt that you can use me too? I worry that we can’t make a difference in this shattered, fragile world? I live in a town of less than 900 people. I am not well known, famous or loaded with money and talent. Yet you call on me. You call on all of us – to follow you and live like Jesus. Help me heed your invitation. Understand your ways. Share your good news. Be your love. Show me the wisdom to know where you are leading even if it is only one step at … [Read more...]
Christmas Characters – Who Delivered Jesus?
Did you ever stop to consider who actually delivered Jesus when he was born? This year during Advent I have been slowly rereading the story of Christ’s birth, relooking at some of the characters and listening for new lessons. Many of you know I am an RN and the nurse in me became a bit puzzled, curious and more than a little interested thinking about the actual childbirth scene in Bethlehem that night. We really don’t know the technicalities of Jesus’ birth but this nurse wondered. Who delivered Jesus? Mary was young. This was her first baby. She went into labor away from her home. Bethlehem at that time was quite small – I read some sources saying maybe 200 or 500 people lived there. Who helped her? Perhaps Joseph. After all he was present and tenderly cared for Mary. But men usually didn’t assist with childbirth. Perhaps some other unnamed female traveler provided aid. Perhaps a local midwife. I did read that our perception of the manger scene is unrealistic … [Read more...]
Christmas Characters – Zachariah
Zachariah is one of the Christmas characters we often don’t deliberately ponder this season. I thought this year I would slowly read the story of Christ’s birth, relook at some of the characters and listen for new lessons. Zachariah invited me in to sit with him for a while. I reread his story from Luke. I remembered he served as a priest, was married to Elizabeth, was the father, late in his life, of John the Baptist, and when he doubted Gabriel’s message about the coming baby, he became mute until John was born. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole … [Read more...]
Testify to the Light – Lectio Divina
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. John 1: 6-8 Lord, let your presence burn inside me, casting light onto my path. Pierce me with your presence. Lord let your brillance shine within my heart, guiding my way and helping others see you. As I ponder our Christmas tree, forever pointing heavenward, leading my eyes up to you, may my life, my attitude, my smile, my compassion, my actions all face your wisdom and love. Clean the mirror of my soul to reflect you better. Show me the ways I hid your radiance and help me remove those barriers. The darkness around me and within me has no power in your presence. You are the light of the world. I am only your echo. Help me tell your good news, the story of your never-ending, all encompassing love. May I be open to your brilliant shining in my … [Read more...]
Indecisive Discernment
I had a discernment dilemma this week. I was indecisive. Waffling. Uncertain which to choose. The phone rang about a month ago and the voice on the other end was a long time friend whom I had worked with professionally in my former life in health administration. He knew I was a writer and needed someone on his staff with that skill plus knowledge of community politics and collaboration building. He would pay me well. I could name my hours. A wonderful use of my gifts. Good deal he said. My ego swelled. Someone wanted me. Wanted me back and based on my new role in life. The money sounded tempting too. He was traveling and said he would get back with me. So I pondered. I prayed. I listened. To God. To my heart. To my dreams. To my already packed schedule where I am not spending time on what is truly important to me, but only responding to the urgent and other people’s desires. But my self-conceit … [Read more...]
Pray for Jerusalem
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Psalm 122:6a “Please pray for Jerusalem.” “Pray for peace in our land.” On our recent trip to the Holy Lands, we heard these statements multiple times. Our tour guide asked. An employee at one of the hotels mentioned it. But it was a store clerk in a gift shop that I remember the most. We were visiting the Garden Tomb, a pleasant walk not far from our hotel. A walled green patch in the middle of Jerusalem, its beauty, charm and peacefulness fades the fact it probably isn’t the actual site of Jesus’ burial. A quiet place of contemplation in contrast to the crowded chaos of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A nice way to spend the last day in the Holy Lands. Like good tourists, we entered the gift shop and found a few more souvenirs. As I chatted with the store clerk, I couldn’t help notice her distinctive American accent. I politely asked her and she confirmed she was originally from the U.S. She married a man from Israel … [Read more...]
God of Promise – Lectio Divina
“The Lord is not slow about his promises, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3: 9 I am impatient, Lord. I want you and I want you now. Come, please come to me. Saying this prayer aloud makes me realize how ridiculous I sound. Me? Telling you? Not going to work is it, Lord? I sense you smiling, knowing my foolishness, my ineptitude, the silliness to assume I know better than you – the Lord of the Universe. What I see as slowness in your promises is perfect timing on your part, Lord. I have seen this truth in Bible history, friends’ stories and my own experience. Help me let go of my need to control and relax in trusting your fulfillment of every promise. Every promise. I have no reason to fear. To worry. To take over. To tap my fingers wondering if you will ever show. You will. I have your promise. I know you and believe. You know best. You see the whole plan. You shape the past, … [Read more...]