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...]
Christmas Clamor
Does December seem noisy for you this year? More Christmas clamor than usual? I am hearing tons of holiday preparation holler over the internet and piles of buy-buy-buy in my mailbox, television and radio. Why do we have to go crazy, getting bigger and bigger, and expanding more more more? Isn’t this supposed to be a peaceful preparation time for Christmas? My inbox tings with another post about Advent. I don’t know if you noticed but many wonderful bloggers are writing about Advent this year. Great ideas. Seems like every one has something to say about Advent. Some with wonderful visuals and videos. Others with new music. Many with profound thoughts. All with the goal of opening my heart for this wonderful time of the year. I want to consume them all. Explore all of them. Yes, I end up being distracted and not tuning in my inner spirit to listen to God but only outwardly to what others are saying. But like that overstuffed feeling you get after the Thanksgiving feast – I am too … [Read more...]
Unexpected Surprises from the Holy Lands
This is a series of reflections following my trip to the Holy Lands this fall. What a profound and life-changing experience to walk where Jesus lived. Visiting Israel opened my eyes and refreshed my heart on so many levels – historically, politically, biblically and spiritually. Unexpected surprises filled the trip to the Holy Lands. I am discovering more of them now that I am at home – eagerly looking at photos, summarizing notes in my journal, talking with God about that sacred land. Ever noticed how we humans love to mark special places? We want to honor, remember locations of significance. We may erect simple cairns – a pile of rocks - to note this is a space where someone encountered God or we build huge cathedrals – often on top of older churches on top of other historical sites on top of a once simple location full of God’s presence. Since home I am realizing the places in the Holy Lands that have lingered most in my heart haven’t been the grand manmade churches, … [Read more...]