December 29, 2021

We have a Christmas tree ornament – made by one of our children when in elementary school – in the shape of a star. Written in gold on the star is the word “star.” With all that is uncertain, unknown, and unsettling in the world, it is helpful to have pieces of life that are clear and simple and certain. This star ornament is clearly a star.

Never changing is the clarity, simplicity, and certainty of the Gospel.  We are sinners in need of grace. God is a God who loves sinners and flings out grace with reckless abandon. Here is one of our “comfortable words” from John’s first epistle.

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

Written in red on the hands and feet of Jesus Christ is the word “Savior.”

“Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Collect for Holy Name – BCP)

December 28, 2021

The word “adventitious” means “"coming from another source”. When used in botany, it means "arising or occurring sporadically in other than the usual location."

The grace of God is adventitious. It comes from outside us. As St. John says in his famous prologue, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)

Amen!

“Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (First Sunday after Christmas – BCP)

December 27, 2021

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)

A Christmas night showing of Les Mis brought home the powerful message of St. Paul in Romans 10. Javert is the Law (literally), hunting down Jean Valjean, who is the essence of grace. Valjean forgives and frees Javert, knowing that he – Valjean – will pay the price for Javert’s release. 

Finally, the Law gives way – Javert allows Jean to pass to safety. This totally undoes him. Having transgressed his own law, Javert despairs and jumps to his death. Law and Grace cannot co-mingle. As Javert sings, “There is nothing on earth that we share
It is either Valjean or Javert!”

St. John tells us that Moses brought the Law; Grace and Truth have come through Jesus Christ.

“Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (First Sunday after Christmas – BCP)

December 24, 2021

“When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.” (Titus 3:4)

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given / For God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven / No ear may hear His coming / but in this world of sin / where meek souls will receive Him still/ the dear Christ enters in.”

This stanza from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” gets me every Christmas. God works in silence, off stage, surreptitiously. Like Santa, no ear may hear his coming. But, Lo and Behold, in the light of morning the stockings are stuffed and the plate of cookies gone!

He comes without you knowing. And He comes with the blessing of His heaven. Merry Christmas, Almost Daily Friends!

“O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)

December 23, 2021

I talked with someone this week who met God. She was hit by a car, pronounced dead, and met and talked to God. She was overwhelmed by a sense of profound peace. He told her that now was not her time to die and that everything would be okay. 

She told me, “I don’t just believe in God. I know God. He’s more real than this anything in this world.” She’s right. As C.S Lewis said, our world is “the Shadowlands.”

Everything is going to be okay. That is the wonderful shorthand message of the gospel, especially at Christmas time. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 13-14)

“O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)

December 22, 2021

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Luke 2:7-8)

In the morning, when left unattended, Birdie, our Parson’s Jack Russell, jumps up on the bed and laps up my wife’s leftover tea from her mug on the bedside table. Everyone – all creatures great and small – should have a treat, especially this time of year. How many of you pet owners will have a stocking or a treat for your furry friends on Christmas morning?

Ox, ass, (foretold in the O.T., the latter ridden by Mary), sheep (the flock by night), camels (the Magi) all play a prominent role in the Nativity. And His birth inaugurates the age of lion and lamb laying down together.

Come, O Prince of Peace.

“Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)

December 21, 2021

“And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love.” (1 John 4:16)

The opening lines of Elizabeth Browning’s famous sonnet are an apt description of what God has done at Christmas.

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height…”  The theme picked up by Christina Rosetti her poem turned Christmas hymn.

“Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.”

God loves you so very much. I wish I could say this in a way that you and I both could truly hear and receive it. Can we look now to the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and believe it?

“O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)

December 20, 2021

Our collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent describes you as a “mansion.” Have you ever thought of yourself as a mansion? Or are you more an A-Frame? A squat brick ranch? Those with more developed senses of self might think of themselves as a stately Georgian. But a mansion?

The idea is biblical. St. Paul says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you are bought with a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

You are of immeasurable, unquantifiable value; ransomed by the blood of Christ.

“Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 17, 2021

“And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.” (Micah 5:4-5)

In this messianic prophecy from Micah we see that Jesus shall feed us in the strength of the Lord and that we shall “live secure.” Isn’t security a universal longing? Secure finances, a secure job, secure relationships, a secure home, a secure sense of identity.

The insecurity we have experienced since March of 2020 has only highlighted the need for security. I pray that you will experience security in all the ways that I listed above as well as many others. But in the end our only real security is in Christ – the One of Peace.

“Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Fourth of Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 16, 2021

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’” (Matthew 19:26)

Problems that seem intractable to us are not intractable to God. I wonder if it even occurs to Him to consider a situation a problem? Even Jesus’ death was no problem, for He was raised on the third day.

What is happening in your life today that seems impossible? How about we pray right now for God to remove that stone? With Him, all things are possible – even that! In fact, our “stirrup” collect is just the ticket.

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 15, 2021

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer, reminds us that “time like an ever-rolling stream bears all our years away; they fly forgotten like a dream dies at the opening day.”

Have you noticed how longed for moments come, are experienced, then fade? Sometimes even in that moment you realize how transient it is? How quickly “forty winters shall besiege thy brow and dig deep trenches in thy beauty’s field”?(Shakespeare’s Sonnet 2)

For the believer, there is comfort in the evanescence of life. After all, Watts also tells us that “under the shadow of Thy throne, thy saints shall dwell secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.”

“O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 12 – BCP p. 231)

December 14, 2021

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:46-53)

This is Mary’s song – the Magnificat – after the angel Gabriel comes with the news of her role in God’s great rescue plan. Mary, as is well-known, is the epitome of powerlessness: an unmarried, pregnant, teenaged girl in the middle of a moralistic patriarchy. Were it not for Divine Intervention, Joseph would have called off the wedding.

Here is what Martin Luther says about Mary’s song in one of his Christmas sermons.

“God allows us to be powerless and oppressed so that everyone thinks we are done for, yet even in that very moment God is most powerfully present, though hidden and concealed. When our power fails, the power of God begins.”

He is with you today!

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP)

December 13, 2021

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Doing my annual Yuletide reading of A Christmas Carol, and struck this year by Fred’s (Scrooge’s Nephew) articulation of what we like to call “the Christmas spirit.” 

“I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they were really fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

Dickens’ classic is a classic for a reason. If you have a spare 90 minutes, you’ll be richly rewarded. Incarnational grace is a beautiful thing to behold!

“Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday of Advent – BCP) 

December 10, 2021

Do you ever fail to complete what you start? A book? A project? Sometimes I don’t even start what I start. I announced that I was going to take up needlepoint so I could make myself one of those cool needlepoint belts with trout on it. But then I looked at what was really involved and decided not to start what I started. Ditto with pipe-smoking, mandolin playing, and home brewing. (I don’t live in Brooklyn, so I guess this makes sense!)

What about self-improvement projects? Is there an unused Peloton hanging about? A gym membership that you have now ghosted? Do you ever feel like you have gained some ground then – whoop zoop sloop – you are back at Square One? Well, I have some good news for you today.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) St. Paul reminds us that your “progress” is not your job. It’s God’s job. And He is faithful to bring you to completion. God always finishes what He starts. And with you He has already started what He starts!

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 9, 2021

Our American Christmas is rife with Dickensian England. We say and do things this time of year that don’t normally enter into our regular life. For instance, I’m going to go a-wassailing with some neighbors tonight. You don’t go a-wassailing in July. What even is a-wassailing? What does one wear to go a-wassailing? Breeches?

The way I reckon things, this is all to the good – wassailing and all of its yuletide kin. It is the ripple in the pond effect of the Incarnation. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Seems like going a-wassailing is the least we can do!

“O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Christmas Day – BCP)

December 8, 2021

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”  Isaiah 55:12

Isaiah is the Advent prophet, always peeking into the What Shall Be. Maybe today’s verse isn’t metaphorical, but literal. How fun would it be to hear the mountains and hills singing? Earthen bass and rolling alto praising God. 

And of course trees would clap along – what do you think their limbs are for? Keeping time with the mountain chorus, as well as inviting little children to climb up in their arms for a better view. With God all things are possible.

The joy and peace the prophet foretells are possible right now. Joy and peace are already ours in the first coming of our Savior. I pray that you will experience both today.

“O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (For Joy in God’s Creation – BCP p. 814)

December 7, 2021

“And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him…” (Mark 2:15-16)

I get real pleasure watching someone do what they do when they do it with excellence. To wit, Tony Romo is the best in the business. He is the Dallas Cowboy Quarterback turned lead Color Commentator on CBS. Romo prognosticates the play ahead with freakish accuracy. He knows football inside and out. (He happens to be a scratch golfer too!)

I wonder what it would have been like to see God being God. Because, that is what happened when Jesus came to us. If we want to know what God is like, all we need to do look at Jesus. How cool would it have been to see Him “sit at meat” with people just like us?

Advent reminds us that we will find out for ourselves one day. O come, O come Emmanuel.

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 6, 2021

“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:18-19)

The gospel is in the “yet” and the “but.”

From the Rite I Communion Prayer: “And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

And from the Prayer of Humble Access: “We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. Butthou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy.”

Thank God for the Yet and the But.

“Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”  (Second Sunday of Advent – BCP)

December 3, 2021

Here’s a light little diddy from Sean McConnell and the Wood Brothers to kick off your weekend. It’s from his new song, The 13th Apostle.

I'm the 13th apostle, just by the hair of my chin
Cause I doubt more than Thomas and I make my own bathtub gin
Barely made the fold, but Jesus told me he'd go out on a limb
So I'm the 13th apostle, bet you never heard about him

Well I'm a first hand witness of the trinity
I've seen a dead man rise and a blind man see
Yeah but that ain't the reason I'm a devotee
No I believe in him cause he believes in me

Here’s what Jesus says about doubting more than Thomas.  “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20)

And the limb He went out on was in the shape of a cross. Why? He believes in you.

“Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (For the Mission of the Church – BCP p. 816)

December 2, 2021

“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” (Luke 15: 3-6)

In this deeply touching parable there is no note of scolding or recrimination directed at the wayward sheep. The shepherd doesn’t lecture the lost lamb: “Do you realize how much I worried about you! Did you even think about the danger you were in?! Or how I had to leave your 99 brothers and sisters to come all this way to find you!?? I mean, what were you thinking!? Believe me, there are going to be consequences for your actions, young man.”

Instead, He joyfully puts the sheep on His shoulders and carries it home. The only consequence? A big party.

“O God, whose glory it is to always have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday in Lent – BCP p. 218)