words and music by Carol Dixon
Living as I do in the northern hemisphere in the North of England, days get shorter in winter. Often by 21st December (known as the shortest day or winter solstice) there are only about 6 hours of daylight – and sometimes less if it is dull that day. Not quite as short as in the far north though – when my husband visited the Shetland Isles in winter three or four years ago it only became light in Lerwick at 10:30 am, and sunset was about 3 pm. Little wonder they hold the light festival of Up Hell Ya with flaming torches at the end of the year. In Northumberland too on December 31st in Allendale, they have a festival of light when people parade around the streets swinging flaming tar barrels – an echo of the early settlers trying to banish the darkness and encourage the light to return. You can read more about that here: Burning barrels for the Tar Barl.
Over the centuries many cultures have held Light ceremonies, and it was at the Jewish festival of Light, when the great candelabra was lit in Jerusalem, that Jesus made his great declaration recorded by John (John 8:12 ESV) “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”, harking back to the beginning of the gospel and the words that resonate down the centuries to our own day giving reassurance and hope. One of my favourite songs based on the passage is a hymn our church Folk Group used to sing many years ago (we modernised the words in the verses to be all-inclusive)
As we celebrate the light of the world coming again in Jesus this Christmas may we be light-bringers into our homes and communities helping in our own small way to banish the darkness and welcome the light of the baby born in Bethlehem into our world again today.
Homeless King Carol (Tune: Brahms lullaby)
Baby Jesus, God’s own son,
Y-ou came to this ea-rth
As a humble human child
When you chose to share our birth.
Source of Hope, Prince of Peace,
Word of Truth, Grace of Go-d,
Bringing light in the dark;
Come and shine in our hearts.
Homeless king, in our world,
A-n outhouse your birthplace,
As an infant refugee
Yo-u joined the human race,
Image of the Father’s love
Fo-r all of humanity,
Bringing joy to quell our fear;
Come and shine in our hearts.
Loving Saviour of the world
W-e ask for your blessing
T-o live life to the full,
Helping o-thers in need.
As we learn to share your love
W-ith neighbour and stranger,
Bringing peace to all we meet;
Come and shine in our hearts.
© Carol Dixon 2018 altd
Feature photo by © Mira Kemppainen on Unsplash, Refugees Welcome Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Join Christine Sine and Lilly Lewin on Wednesday, January 5th 2022 at 9am PDT (check my timezone) for our next FB Live happening on our Godspace Light Community Facebook Group! Can’t make it? No worries–we upload the sessions on our youtube channel so you can still enjoy the lively discussions and interesting topics. And catch us live for the next session–happening here every other Wednesday!
Desmond Tutu who died yesterday, was a huge example to me of how to live our lives – full of joy yet with a passionate desire for justice. The Book of Joy which he wrote in conjunction with the DaLai Lama was particularly influential. Joy is a way of approaching the world, he says. “Our greatest joy comes when we reframe our situation more positively, experience gratitude and choose to be kind and generous.” In a nutshell, our greatest joy comes when we focus away from ourselves, and seek to do good for others. I don’t think that we could have any better advise for the world in which we live today.
The artwork above by Scott Erickson vibrates with some of that same joy in life.
As a tribute to Desmond Tutu I adapted a post I wrote in 2015. It contains two prayers associated with Desmond Tutu. The first is adapted from an original prayer by Sir Francis Drake. I first posted this prayer in 2013 years and it continues to be one of the most popular on my blog. I like to post it each year, usually during the season of Lent.
Disturb us, O Lord
when we are too well-pleased with ourselves
when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little,
because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, O Lord
when with the abundance of things we possess,
we have lost our thirst for the water of life
when, having fallen in love with time,
we have ceased to dream of eternity
and in our efforts to build a new earth,
we have allowed our vision of Heaven to grow dim.
Stir us, O Lord
to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas
where storms show Thy mastery,
where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.
In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes
and invited the brave to follow.
Amen
The second prayer is from Desmond Tutu’s An African Prayer Book.
Victory is Ours
Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us.
This has been adapted and put to music by John Bell.
The words for the song are:
Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness, life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours, Victory is ours
through God who loves us.
Victory is ours, Victory is ours
through God who loves us.
Music by John Bell
GIA (c) 1996 Iona Community
And much to my delight later found this delightful rendition of the song.
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At this time of year everyone posts their favourite books from the last 12 months. Part of the reason, I suspect, is that most of us don’t have much brainpower left after our Christmas festivities.
I love reading what inspires my friends but must confess I hate ending up with another long list of must-read books – and from someone who loves reading as much as I do that is quite a statement. So this year I will keep it simple and hopefully not add much to your reading list. There are only three books on mine. These are the books that were most impactful for me. I have read them all, or at least parts of them, several times. Because it’s such a short list, I expanded it to include my three most inspiring quotes from the year as well as the three posts I most enjoyed writing. Hope you enjoy it. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments or on Facebook. I would love to know what inspired you this year – not just books but quotes and blog posts you read.
My Three Best Reads of 2021
Howard Thurman: With Head and Heart: The Autobiography of Howard Thurman. – I did not review this book but do mention and quote from it in the post Six Tips for a Happier Life
Diana Butler Bass: Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks (No re3view but quoted from in Making Gratitude a Lifelong Habit)
Curt Thompson: The Soul of Desire: Discovering the Neuroscience of Longing, Beauty and Community (See God is Creating Beauty in Us)
My Three Most Inspiring Quotes of 2021
From Coley Arthur Riley @blackliturgies:
In Advent we put all our hope in the blackness of a womb. As we wait, we remind ourselves that darkness (which is far too often reduced to a trite symbol for sin and death) actually has the unique capacity to bear the divine. In Advent we reclaim the holy dark.
From Two Hands: Grief and Gratitude in the Christian Life by Lynne Baab.
The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give. If I carry only grief, I’ll bend towards cynicism and despair. If I have only gratitude, I’ll become saccharine and won’t develop much compassion for other people’s suffering. Grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, which helps make compassion possible. (Lynne is quoting from The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief.) (Read more about her book here )
From I Wonder; Exploring God’s Grand Story: An Illustrated Bible by Glenys Nellist.
No one heard the Word. The birds didn’t hear it. The trees didn’t hear it. The mountains didn’t hear it … because they had not been created yet. The Word came soft, like a whisper when there was nothing. The Word came into an empty world where it hovered and hung over the darkness of the deep. And just for a moment, there was nothing but silence. And when the time was just right, God’s voice echoed into the silence and whispered the world into being. (Read more in Glenys Nellist’s post here)
The Three Most Fun Posts I Wrote
The most fun posts I write are rarely the most popular but they often expand my knowledge in unexpected ways. If we can’t have a little fun in our work then I don’t think it is worth pursuing.
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Enjoy this NEW free resource from Ana Lisa de Jong – A collection of poems written in the last year, (most yet unpublished) to draw us to reflect on the Holy gift of God, both in the trinity and in the gift of the Christ Child – Emmanuel, God with Us.
Merry Christmas! We celebrate the Christ Child’s birth today, probably one of the most written and sung about events of all time. Over the years we have collected many lovely prayers, poems, and other resources to enjoy at Christmas and with 12 days ahead of us for joyful celebration we thought you might enjoy a few of these to reflect on yourself.
A perennial favorite is this Christmas Prayer by Henri Nouwen:
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”—Henri J.M. Nouwen
Howard Thurman has written many excellent Christmas poems, several of which we have featured before–such as this one:
“The Work of Christmas”
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
You can find more lists of Christmas resources on our resource page, but here is one to get you started:
Christmas Prayers, Litanies and Liturgies
- Christmas Sacred Space Prayer Experience by Lilly Lewin
- Christmas Liturgy by Christine Sine
- Make Room – A Christmas Prayer by Christine Sine
- A Christmas Creed
- At the End of the Year – A Poem by John O’Donohue
- Aaron Neville – A Christmas Prayer
- Christmas Prayer by Mother Theresa
- Christmas Prayer by Bebe Winan
- Christmas Prayer by Henri Nouwen
- The Mood of Christmas by Howard Thurman
- First Coming by Madeliene L’Angle
- Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou
- Advent Worship – Companions of Brother Lawrence Liturgy
- The Grace and the Impatience to Wait – Walter Brueggemann
Have a blessed Christmas and enjoy!
Enjoy the Gift of Wonder this holiday season! Our newest virtual retreat experience, Walking in Wonder Through Advent, is partly inspired by but separate from The Gift of Wonder. Rekindle the wonder of the Advent season; experience renewal in an online course at your own pace. Look beyond the Advent season with our other Gift of Wonder resources! Explore what childlike characteristics shape us into the people God intends us to be. Be encouraged to develop fresh spiritual practices that engage all our senses and help us to live a new kind of spiritual life that embraces the wonder and joy that God intends for us. Embrace the gifts of Awe and Wonder; gifts that sustain us, practices that are relevant and important in these times. Find it all in our shop!
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7 (ESV)
Let’s take a moment to imagine that innkeeper in Bethlehem at the time when Joseph and Mary were seeking a place to rest. What might it have been like to be him on that particular day? His thoughts, his preoccupations.
He could not have been busier. Bethlehem was bulging at the seams, under the weight of all the extra people in town for the census. He loved it when the inn was full and noisy and vibrant with chatter. People. He was definitely a people person. He did his very best for his customers – he cared about their opinions and their needs, and of course, his reputation.
It had been a bit unusual, but at the time, he had thought nothing of it. He had been in a rush, as usual. He had put them in the outhouse where he stabled the donkey and the goats – what else could he have done? At least it was dry there and fairly private. From the looks on their faces, it seemed that their baby was on its way.
Oh God – when have I relegated you to an outer room? I know that I sometimes leave you on the sidelines, while I busy myself with ‘more important things’ – juggling one distraction with another, as they vie for my attention and time.
Forgive me when I fail to remember that you alone ground me, you define me, you sustain me. Not the other stuff.
Quietly, tucked out of the way, on the edge and in the margin, Jesus slipped into our world, 2000 years ago. And now again, we celebrate God With Us, and remember His coming, this year – this strange year.
In my own life, I wonder, do I, too, say that there is no room for more of Him? Or is it that there is no more room for Him?
I allow these thoughts to tumble over themselves in my mind.
Have I dismissed the whisperings of something more, something bigger, and beyond? Am I too content with the little that I’m familiar with … the crumbs under the table, when He has laid before me, before us all, a feast. Like the innkeeper – missing the glorious significance of his smallest and tiniest of guests, content with attending to the familiar.
As in that most famous of all birth stories, God today continues to hide Himself in plain sight, waiting–longing, even, to be sought and found.
‘Draw near to me’, He says ‘and I will draw near to you.’ Perhaps we have drawn as close as we can bear, but then, again perhaps we have not…
Let’s determine to move over, make some space, place more importance on coming in closer to the Saviour – taking time to listen, to watch, to be awed, to be reminded. Not rushing away.
I will make room. I must make room.
‘Tis the season to celebrate the Reason–the Light of the World born in a humble manger. Explore Advent and Christmas alongside Christine Sine and others in one of our Advent devotionals, bundled with beautiful Prayer Cards! Waiting for the Light: An Advent Journal + Prayer Cards is more than a devotional; it is a complete guide to the Advent and Christmas season, providing liturgies, weekly activities, and daily reflections to equip and nourish us all through the season. Lean Towards the Light This Advent & Christmas is our newest resource, perfect for the times we are living in, and comes in several bundles, including downloadable forms and bundles that include a journal to enrich your quiet time. A Journey Toward Home: Soul Travel from Advent to Lent + Prayer Cards approaches the rich seasons of Advent to Lent playfully, yet with yearning and determination, providing daily reflections from many theological and cultural perspectives, shared family activities, and recipes that will enrich the season for all seekers. All these Advent resources, Christmas resources, and more can be found in our shop.
We are opening the TRUE Gift of Christmas tomorrow. The GIFT of God with us, Emmanuel.
The Gift of a a Baby Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes and lying in a manger. That was the sign that the angels announced to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem. They would find a baby, wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger….
What was this GIFT announced by the angels…a BABY…innocent, vulnerable, born in obscure circumstances, not in a palace or a sterile hospital. Born into the messiness of animals and hay. Born into the messiness of an unexpected pregnancy. Born into the MESS of two young people on a road trip, not in the familiar surroundings of home. Born into the MESS of a people occupied by a foreign power. Born into a time of conflict and uncertainty much like our world today.
OPEN THE GIFT
How do we OPEN the GIFT of God with us in the MESS of our lives? Are we willing to receive the GIFT of EMMANUEL ? Are we willing to RECEIVE the gift of GOD WITH US?
As you look around your house, consider the messes…maybe you have places of mess… dishes to do, laundry to fold, a pile of wrapping supplies or decoration boxes still to put away, or the stacks of mail and paperwork that seem to multiple over night at our house! Jesus is with us in the MESS and he really isn’t concerned about it! He came to be with us despite our messes….
Jesus was born into the messiness of life….Jesus is with you and with me in the MESSES of our lives right now!
How do you need Jesus to be with you in the Mess of life?
Can you believe and open the GIFT of GOD with YOU in the messiness of your life? In the sorrow, in the pain, in illness and uncertainty of our world? Will you choose to OPEN the GIFT of EMMANUEL in broken relationships, in in the conflict with relatives, in the craziness of Covid?
So much has happened in our world just in the last week! Omicron and break through cases shutting down travel and Christmas gatherings. More harsh weather, political conflicts, refugees dying in the Mediterranean and on the border. These are just some of the messes we are living through.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Breathe in the GIFT of GOD with us
Breathe out uncertainty
Breathe in the PRINCE of PEACE
Breathe out fear
Breathe in the MIGHTY GOD
Breathe out uncertainty and conflict
Breathe in EMMANUEL,
Breathe out the stress and mess of today!
OPEN THE GIFT of JESUS, GOD with us in the MESS of Christmas. In the MESS of LIFE!
AMEN.
JESUS IS WITH US IN THE MESS
LIVING THIS OUT:
As you take our your waste, you trash this week, and clean up stuff, THANK JESUS for being present with you and loving you right here in the MESS of life!
CHOOSE a Name of God to carry with you this week… Allow Jesus to show you how he is this NAME in your life!
- WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
- MIGHTY GOD
- EVERLASTING FATHER
- PRINCE OF PEACE
READ THIS PASSAGE …What do you notice? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today?
ISAIAH 9: 6-7 NIV
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
LISTEN TO ONE OF THE SONGS and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through the MUSIC! What NAME do you need to carry with you today? What is the GIFT for you in this name of GOD?
Take it with you into the 12 days of Christmas. The Christmas Season of the Church year begins today and continues until Epiphany on January 6th. So we get to live into Christmas and enjoy it longer! We get to experience the wonder of God with us…in our real lives. We get to OPEN THE GIFT OF GOD WITH US IN THE MESS!
by Sue Duby
No other morning on the calendar holds such delight. Wonder. Surprise. Giggles. Pajamas ‘til noon. Coffee and chocolate chip scones by the fire. Ribbons, piles of wrapping paper and of course half-eaten “for Santa cookies”. Satisfied sighs (and maybe a few sighs of exhaustion!). That morning of mornings … Christmas.
My favorite one as a young girl may very well mark the beginning of my love for investigating, discovering, sleuthing, and figuring out mysteries. Triple star on my wish list that year were new clothes for my doll. Somehow, a few weeks before the big morning, I realized my Mother had been tucked away in the bedroom during school hours, hand-sewing those clothes. And somehow, I discovered where the work-in-progress lay hidden. Under her dresser. Almost daily, I crept into her room, quietly pulled out the secret box, examined the clothes, and tucked it all away before being discovered.
Though knowing what was coming, I still found myself full to the brim of excitement for the big morning. Then and only then, would the finished project be mine to open, mine to embrace, and mine to keep. It proved to be a grand morning indeed!
I never confessed my deception to my Mother, but I’m sure my squeals of delight gave her the satisfaction of a job well done. Looking back, I realize the sacrifice of her time and energy to give me joy … and how her gift, in a very personal way, said “I love you so much!” For that, I’m so grateful.
As the years go by, we now have every-other-year quiet Christmas mornings. Where kids and grandkids celebrate with their in-laws. Where Chuck and I still enjoy coffee and pastries by the fire. Where only two stockings spill over with surprises. Where the magic still hovers over us. And we remember … why anticipation fills us in all those December days. Because He came and He is near.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
Anticipation is guessing or being aware of what will happen. Of preparing for something upcoming. Of looking forward to an event. And so it is with those of Advent. Waiting. Letting our hearts be tenderized, ready to receive. Expecting fresh wonder in the ways of His affection and love.
Jesus. The one “given.” Bestowed, entrusted, committed to us. God’s intentional, thoughtful, sacrificial, love-laced, forever gift to us. Speaking deep, loving relationship. Provision for us. A way to the Father.
Our “weight-bearer.” “The government will be on His shoulders.” So many worries, unfixable struggles, confusing times, and mysteries. Yet, He promises that “rule and dominion” will be on HIS shoulders … not ours. Such freedom in trusting His word to do just that … carry it all for us, as we just follow Him.
Anticipation of refreshment in seeing who He is in new ways, as the year closes and a new one begins.
- Wonderful Counselor. Not just one with a few good ideas and clever thoughts. But a marvelous, extraordinary giver of life-changing wisdom and direction.
- Mighty God. Not just one of many gods. Not just so-so in strength. But STRONG. Able to fight our battles. To stand firm in any situation. To be trusted … always.
- Everlasting Father. Not just for some of our lives, grateful as I am for my own Dad’s 94 years. No need to wonder when His timeline will finish. But forever. Before I was born. All my life here. After I’m gone. No expiration on His care. He is Father.
- Prince of Peace. Not just a peace-making ambassador, who comes and goes. Not just a skilled negotiator, nor a savvy politician. But the chief overseer of peace. The one who rules over all. Who promises His peace will absolutely reign one day. The one we can trust to bring perfect peace.
As the coming days unfold, may we anticipate His birth with wonder. May we remember His promises for today and all days to come. May we exhale, knowing He desires to be our weight-bearer. And may we continue to trust His love-laced wisdom in directing our future steps.
Looking for some inspiration or a last-minute gift? Consider one of our courses! Most offer 180 days of access, perfect for working through a virtual retreat at your own pace. Find retreat with one of the Advent courses; perfect for a weekend Christmastime activity. Prepare for a coming season, or revisit Wonder. You can find them all right here! And did you know? We offer discounts if you have purchased a course or virtual retreat from us before or are buying for a group. Email us before check-out for the code!
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