conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

saturday prayers

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

-- Luke 2:25-32 (ESV)

__________________________________
The Revelation of God is not a book or a doctrine, but a living Person.

... Emil Brunner (1889-1966)

When in doubt, pray. This is what I relearn every morning as I rise. I need to still myself, to quiet my heart and mind and listen for God...even in the midst of unbelief. And unbelief comes to be certain. Even as a pastor, and a Baptist one at that (Ah, America.), unbelief comes.

I made good headway on the Advent Four sermon. It is good to hear that others are also doing well. I am going to type up the handwritten stuff and see where I am. Then I'll go to the office to work some more. I have the Christmas Eve meditation on the back burner. It should be ready this afternoon...if all goes well.

I was praying the morning service from Oremus and these passages came to the fore for me.

A Song of the Covenant (Isaiah 42:5-8a)

Thus says God, who created the heavens,
who fashioned the earth and all that dwells in it;

Who gives breath to the people upon it,
and spirit to those who walk in it,

'I am the Lord and I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

'I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind.

'To bring out the captives from the dungeon,
from the prison, those who sit in darkness.

'I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other.'

It is good to know that Mary is in such wondrous company.

If we are so consumed with thinking about Christmas
that we have little consideration
of the meaning of the first Christmas,
forgive us and give us insight.

And thus it is this year. I hope that with each following year, this will become easier, a little more automatic. But we'll see.

Simeon has words of wisdom, and the quotation is a great reminder as well. This baby that we honor this weekend, he is not an idea. And for most Christians, he's not just an interesting and intelligent man from two thousand years ago. This is God, the person, the manifestation of the being whom God has always been. And as hard as that is to recall in the midst of worship planning, that is the truth of it...and that is the burden of it.

Peace to you all today. If the weather is threatening, drink cocoa. That's my plan.

Posted by tripp at December 23, 2006 06:41 AM