Grab a cup, a candle to light and a blanket to wrap up in!
Welcome to a new month! Welcome to February!!
A Blank canvas on which to create & celebrate life!
It’s also still winter here in the Northern Hemisphere so not always sunny & hopeful. The dark days of February can be depressing and long.
Be kind to yourself.
Do things that fill your cup & bring you joy!
Pour out the things that deplete you!
I pick a cup each February to remind me to drink in the love of God! And to remind me to pour out that love to other people!
You might want to find a CUP that represents LOVE to you and use it each day this month.
Today, February 2, is known as Candlemas. I didn’t grow up celebrating this festival of the Church Year, but I really believe we all need to reclaim this day! Especially in the dark days of February and in the darkness that seems to weigh heavily on our world.
Candlemas celebrates the cleansing of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. It’s when families brought their candles to the church to be blessed for the year. It’s also the end of Christmastide. It’s an ancient festival that began in the 300s AD.
“The earliest reference to the festival is from Jerusalem, where in the late 4th century the Western pilgrim Etheria attended its celebration on February 14, 40 days after Epiphany (then celebrated as Christ’s birthday), and wrote of it in the Peregrinatio Etheriae. It soon spread to other Eastern cities, and in 542 Justinian I decreed that its date should be moved back to February 2 (40 days after Christmas). By the middle of the 5th century the custom of observing the festival with lighted candles had been introduced, and the name Candlemas developed from this custom. In the Western church, Pope Sergius I (687–701) instituted the festival in Rome. In the East it is primarily a festival of Christ. In the West it was primarily a celebration of the Virgin Mary until the calendar reform of 1969.” Encyclopedia Brittanica
In honor of Candlemas, LIGHT YOUR CANDLE and read Luke 2: 22-40 You might Listen to the Passage in other versions.
Presentation at the Temple (Georgia, 12th c.)
READ THE SCRIPTURE
LUKE 2: 22-40 NIV
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b]
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty- four.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
What do you notice? What does the Holy Spirit highlight for you from this passage? Who do you relate to and why?
The People of Israel had been waiting for the Messiah, and now he is here! I’m not sure Simeon and Anna thought they would see their Messiah in the form of a baby, but they didn’t let his size change or belittle their response. They didn’t miss Jesus even though he didn’t appear as they thought he might.
How do you miss Jesus? What are you waiting for in 2024? Talk to God about these things.
Luke gives us the accounts of two people in this story. A man AND a woman are in the temple EXPECTING the Messiah. Mary and Joseph get more information about their new son! What do you learn about Jesus in these prophecies?
Simeon listened to the Holy Spirit and went to the temple that day, he didn’t skip it, ignore it and go pick up his dry cleaning, or first go to the market. Do you have times when you’ve listened to the Holy Spirit or times you know you haven’t listened and missed something ?
Simeon says that Mary will experience pain because of Jesus. What is piercing your heart these days? What things are breaking your heart? Talk to Jesus about these things and let Jesus hold them for you.
Simeon & Anna were both watching, waiting and looking for Jesus. They were paying attention, watching for the signs. What things help you see Jesus? How can you make time to wait and watch for Jesus this month and throughout 2024?
WRAP UP in your BLANKET!
Jesus is presented in the temple by two parents who love and cherish him. We too are loved and cherished by Jesus. He longs to WRAP US in his great love! Imagine your blanket at the love of Jesus.
PRAY THIS PRAYER OF Dedication over yourself.
We gather to bless this child of God (SAY YOUR NAME OUT LOUD)
Father God wrap ME in your arms of love.
Lord help ME know that you bless me.
Holy Spirit guard me (SAY YOUR NAME) with your protection.
Jesus surround ME with your grace and mercy.
And from the threads of life we share, weave a covering of compassion, love and prayer that grow as we grow in the months and years ahead. AMEN
(A prayer of Dedication and Christening based on a prayer by Andy Raine in the Celtic Daily Prayer Book 2)
LEARN MORE ABOUT CANDLEMAS HERE
CHECK OUT the Presentation of Jesus in ART
LISTEN: to Michael Card
The painting above is one I did in response to all the sorrow & loss during covid & after george floyd’s murder ! There is still so much loss and suffering in our world. In Gaza, in Ukraine, on the border, in the USA due to politics and prejudice. We need to be and bring LOVE to our world… one cup at a time, one friend, one neighbor at a time! Much love to you all ! Lilly
February 1st we celebrate the life and death of Brigid of Kildare, one of my favourite Celtic saints. One of the things I love about Brigid is her strong emphasis on hospitality. Some of the beautiful Celtic hospitality blessings and runes are attributed to her.
Hospitality was one of the most demanding and often costly tasks undertaken by the Celtic monasteries . Celtic Christians believed hospitality was not only meant to be a custom in their homes, they believed it was also a key into the kingdom of God. The guest house or hospitium, often occupied the best site within the monastic community and, though the monks might live on bread and water, visitors would often receive the best of food and drink. The monastery at Derry is said to have fed a thousand hungry people each day. Brigid, who presided over the monastery at Kildare, often made butter for visitors. Tradition has it that when churning the butter, Brigid would make thirteen portions – twelve in honour of the apostles and an extra one in honour of Christ which was reserved for guests and the poor.
According to Christine Pohl in her inspirational book Making Room, the tradition of hospitality was once an important part of all Christian communities and revolved around the welcoming of strangers into one’s home. “For most of the history of the church, hospitality was understood to encompass physical, social, and spiritual dimensions of human existence and relationships. It meant response to the physical needs of strangers for food, shelter and protection, but also a recognition of their worth and common humanity. In almost every case, hospitality involved sharing meals: historically table fellowship was an important way of recognizing the equal value and dignity of persons.” Making Room p4)
The following litany revolves around the practice of hospitality and incorporates a number of Celtic blessings and prayers. You may like to get together with a group of friends over a meal and discuss how you could become God’s hospitality to your community. Use this litany to focus your minds and hearts on the call to be Christ’s hospitality to our world. Brigid’s prayer which is used as part of this litany, also makes a great grace before a meal. You might like to write out copies for each person and recite it together as you begin your meal
Celtic Hospitality Litany
Leader: The Celtic Christians believed that hospitality was not only meant to be a custom in their homes, they believed it was a key into the Kingdom of God. To offer hospitality was seen as receiving Christ into their midst and fulfilling the law of love. Let us sit in silent prayer for a moment to remind ourselves of the incredible hospitality of our Creator who invites us into the divine presence and into the eternal family.
All stand for lighting of the candle
Leader: The King is knocking. If thou would’st have thy share of heaven on earth, lift the latch and let in the king of Kings. (Hebridean welcome)
All: Christ as a light illumine and guide us
Christ as a shield overshadow us
Christ under me, Christ over us,
Christ beside us, On our left and our right
This day be within and without us
Lowly and meek yet all-powerful
Be in the heart of each to whom we speak
In the mouth of each who speaks to us
This day be within and without us
Lowly and meek yet all-powerful
Christ as a light, Christ as a shield
Christ beside us, on our left and our right (Northumbria Morning Prayer)
Leader: Brigid the fifth-century Irish saint, was famed for her hospitality. The following prayer is attributed to her. As we recite it let us consider our own need to be God’s hospitality to others
All: I should like a great lake of finest ale, for the King of Kings
I should like a table of the choicest food, for the family of heaven.
Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith, and the food be forgiving love.
I should welcome the poor to my feast, for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast, for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place, and the sick dance with the angels
God bless the poor, God bless the sick, and bless our human race.
God bless our food, God bless our drink, all homes, O God, embrace.
Leader: I open my heart to Christ in the stranger,
People: To Christ in the face of colleague and friend,
Leader: I open my heart to the one who is wounded
People: To Christ in the hungry, the lonely, the homeless
Leader: I open my heart to the one who has hurt me
People: To Christ in the faces of sinner and foe
Leader: I open my heart to those who are outcast
People: To Christ in the broken, the prisoner, the poor
Leader: I open my heart to all who are searching
People: To Christ in the world God’s generous gift
Scripture Readings –
Psalm 84
Hebrews 12:28 – 13:8
Mark 12: 28-34
After the gospel reading recite the following Declaration of Faith
We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty.
We believe and trust in Jesus Christ the Son
We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit.
We believe and trust in the Three in One
Leader: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you
Leader: Let us pray
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen
Leader: Let us pray that we may learn what it means to be God’s hospitality to our world
Kneel or stand for the prayers
Leader: That the barriers that divide us may be broken down,
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: That we may live by the law of love in unity, peace and concord
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: That we may come to mutual understanding and care,
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: Upon all who are torn apart by war and by violence
All: Christ have mercy
Leader: Upon all who suffer from dissensions and quarrels,
All: Christ have mercy
Leader: Upon all who are divided in their loyalty and love,
All: Christ have mercy
Leader: That all who work for unity and in the spirit of hospitality may be blessed
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: That all who seek to heal divisions between peoples may have hope
All: Lord have mercy
Leader: That all who lead nations, may seek peace
All: Lord have mercy (David Adam, The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily Prayer, p 82)
Leader: The following blessing is an ancient Celtic rune of hospitality that many think was written by St Brigid
We saw a stranger yesterday, we put food in the eating place,
Drink in the drinking place, music in the listening place,
And with the sacred name of the triune God
He blessed us and our house, our cattle and our dear ones.
As the lark says in her song: Often, often, often goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise
All: I open my heart to be the hospitality of Christ, to all those who come to my door.
I open my heart to embrace the stranger, the friend, the rich, the poor
I open my life to offer a generous heart towards all.
Leader: The blessings of God be upon this house, with plenty of food and plenty of drink,
With plenty of beds and plenty of ale, with much riches and much cheer
With many kin and length of life, ever upon it. Amen
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These cards can be used by individuals for daily meditation or by groups. They can also be used for spiritual direction, counseling and grief therapy. Celtic Prayer Cards with prayers by Christine Sine and crafted by Hilary Horn with Celtic design and contemplative Celtic imagery.
Recently, I read a delightful reflection by a woman, who, constrained by cold and snowy
weather, spent the day sorting through her paint colors. She created a new palette and
spoke of taking the time to explore and play with her colors, especially yellow. Her
reflection ended with an invitation to readers to spend time doing the same. Exploring,
playing and ultimately discovering what it is that sparks joy for each of us.
I immediately put aside her piece and wrote the following question in my journal. “Why
can’t my life be about embracing what sparks beauty and joy; love and peace?” As I sat
with that question, another voice replied, “Indeed, what is holding you back?”
Answering that question, I wrote a long list of things that might be holding me back.
Another voice countered. My True Self and my little ego were having a conversation
with one another! Observing the dialog, I noticed just how much my ego does not like
change, risk-taking, and tries continually to keep me safe. My True Self is much more
spontaneous. I could hear her reminding me of the color yellow.
What does this have to do with a yearly discernment practice? Up to this point, I had
decided that 2024 would be about fulfilling my 2023 intentions—all seven of them. It
was to be a re-do of last year’s discernment process since I had been stalled by
surgeries and breast cancer. Yet, rewriting these seven intentions brought a physical
change in my body.
A verse from Psalm 42 came to mind, “Why are you so full of heaviness, oh, my soul?”
Another voice reminded me, “Put your trust in God, who is the help of your
countenance.” I wondered. Maybe because I am not the same person, I was one year
ago; I should be looking forward not backward?
And so, I began an experiment. Shelving last year’s journal, I turned the page and
decided to practice simply being open to whatever sparked beauty, joy, love and peace.
I imagined a thread, or better yet a piece of string. I decided to see if a new invitation or
two might come my way. Having written that in my journal, suddenly many invitations
came my way! I was reminded of the delightful scene in the first Harry Potter book and
movie when the invitations to study at Hogwarts’s School of Magic were multiple and
irresistible.
Discernment now means that I get to decide whether or not I want to respond to any of
these invitations. And I can choose to follow that string as long as it feels right. Of
course, besides saying yes to some of these invitations, I am learning to say no to other
invitations that are no longer a fit for me. I have changed, and I have to forgive myself
for not completing things that I have started. It is important for me to let go of a string
that does nothing more than tie me into knots! Retirement and my affiliation with the
church may look different from what I had previously imagined.
Yet, I am feeling confident because I have greater clarity when my soul is speaking and
when my ego is simply trying to hold me back. How is this accomplished? By feeling the
tug.
There is a story about a child who takes a kite to a distant hill and sets it flying high in
the sky. The child gazes at the kite, holding its string tight in his hand, and as the
weather cools and clouds move in, the bright colored kite is hidden by the darkening
sky. Still, the child clutches tight to the string of his kite above the clouds. Eventually the
child grows older and hands the kite on to his child, who after many years passes the
kite to his child, and he in turn to his. One day a man approaches a boy holding tight to
a string that reaches to the stormy clouds and he asks, “Boy what are you doing?” The
child replies, “I am flying a kite.” “What do you mean you’re flying a kite?” the man said,
“Have you ever seen it? I believe that you are simply holding a string to make sure the
clouds will not blow away.” The boy’s response was calm, “No, I am flying a kite.” But
the man remains skeptical, “But how do you know there is kite? How can, you be sure?”
The boy says gently, “I know there is a kite because I can feel the tug. Do you
understand, sir? I can feel the tug.” (Citation lost)
I can feel the tug when God is inviting me to make beauty, joy, love and peace the rule
of my life. Surrendering to being ruled by those four virtues means that am finished with
writing intentions, mission statements, setting goals, practicing the skills of highly
effective people. Tuning into the feeling of God gently tugging on my hearts strings is
how I will practice discernment this year. That might involve doing certain things, but it
will also most certainly involve simply being. As I move toward my eldering years, I
realize that a shift from “doing less” to “being more” must take place.
And when I do not feel the tug, I will check in with my ego. Am I being held back by
some old story? Or is the invitation now to wait until God’s clarity becomes mine? God’s
presence is often revealed as soon as I accept and wait in the midst of God’s apparent
absence. One of my breath prayers is “Presence. I am present.” When I am fully
present, I know that God is present because I feel the tug. May the joy of the tug be
yours!
Photo: Pixabay Images, used with permission
With its focus on social justice, sustainability and simple living as an expression of faith, this guide features daily reflections and weekly challenges that dare readers to creatively engage the communities in which they live, making it a great asset for both personal reflection and group study. Above all, A Journey into Wholeness is a daring invitation for readers to undertake the journey from brokenness to wholeness. “Let all who are thirsty, come.”
Discernment as a way of life is very liberating. No more resolutions and far fewer goals. This paying attention to the journey, looking for God in the world around and in my life re-orients all that I do. It encourages a slower place in which we find satisfaction not in our accomplishments or consumption but in a growing depth of relationship to God.
At the retreat “Spiritual Discernment in a Confusing World” on Saturday, we discussed a few of the ways that God speaks to us, signposts that if adhered to help us find direction and peace in spite of the chaos around us. I focused on one of these in this week’s Meditation Monday: Read the Book of Nature. I talk about nature and how it becomes a contemplative companion, and a means of discernment for us. Paying attention to nature and listening to when it tells us to slow down, let go or change direction, helps us to relax into the world in which we find ourselves rather than the ideal world we imagine in our minds. Through nature God is revealed, gives us permission to slow down, and encourages us to take notice of all that is around us. Celtic Christians were very aware of the God revealed through nature, something that is important to remember as we celebrate Imbolc and the life of St Brigid, this week.
Lent is also coming fast. This year I plan to return to a theme I used several years ago. Lent begins on Valentine’s Day and April 1st is the day after Easter (the last time we did this it was on Easter Sunday but being a leap year throws this off.) So the theme is…. (Drum roll) For Love of the World God Did Foolish Things. When we look at the Easter story, so much of what happens seems foolish. It seems foolish that God does not intervene to prevent a much beloved son dying a painful death on a Cross yet it was the most powerful event of history. That it happened, not at the heart of power in Rome, but in what seemed like a little backwater part of the empire, Palestine, seems just as foolish. So many “foolish things” done by a loving and caring God. that I hope that this is a theme that appeals to you as much as it does to me.
Don’t forget to check out the rich array of resources including prayers, reflections and liturgies available through Godspacelight for the season. Some of you might like to work through the retreat Lilly and I recorded a couple ago – “Finding Beauty in the Ashes of Lent.” I return to the practices we talk about here every Lenten season. There is much to help us begin the journey.
New Beginnings was the theme of several posts this week. Carol Dixon gave us a beautiful liturgy to help us focus our own thoughts on the new beginnings God might intend for us. June Friesen is about to move, a chance for new beginnings in a different way. Don’t miss her inspiring reflections and poem about this move in New Beginnings Once Again. Lilly Lewin in Freerange Friday – Open the Gift reflects on another form of new beginnings, that which birthdays bring. I love her list of gifts – beauty, silence, listening, friends, play and others. It’s a great post to reflect on, even if you do not have a birthday coming up. I think that Karen Wilk’s post Elder vs Older was the most thought provoking for me. “What does it look like to not just get older but to get elder?” A great question for us to think about.
As I contemplated the God revealed in nature this week, a poem I wrote a few years ago in response to meditating on a river winding through the landscape came to mind. It was inspired by Psalm 32: 8,9 and Psalm 94:23. So I reread these scriptures, reflected on the photo that focused me and updated it. I thought you might enjoy it.
My life twists and turns
Through the landscapes of this world,
Like a river flowing
Through the curves of time.
Tumbling fast, meandering slow,
Looping back upon itself.
Time lost, time gained
Aware, but not aware
Of what passes by.
Yet as from a mighty tower,
God’s eyes guide.
From a place that is all seeing, all knowing,
God looks down to show the way.
Loving eyes, compassionate eyes,
Often filled with tears of pain,
God’s eyes hold me,
Within the bank of the river’s flow.
…….(C) Christine Sine
Many Blessings
Take some time to explore Godspace Light’s Lent and Easter resources. You can find liturgies, activities, prayers and past posts to enrich and enliven your Lent and Easter season.
Nature speaks to me of God and of God’s purposes for me. Our interactions with nature are a wonderful contribution to our discernment process.
“Nature can be a contemplative companion. Instead of trying to control and manipulate the circumstances of your life and the world around you, you become more receptive to God in the world. You no longer ignore or grab nature as if it were a thing to dominate or own, but rather caress it; you no longer examine but admire it. In return, nature reveals itself transformed and renewed – no longer an impediment to prayer but a means of discernment; instead of an invulnerable shield, a veil permitting a preview of unknown horizons. (Discernment; Nouwen 56)
Celtic Christians believed that creation was translucent and the glory of God shone through. A raindrop, a ripe strawberry, even a broken branch reflect something of who God is. My love of creation grows every year, and the beauty and the wonder of God’s world fills me with awe. Unfortunately, especially in the winter it is easy to let go of this focus. I still need to take time to look and listen and touch, to allow the glory of God reflected in creation to seep into my being. I also need to allow it to guide my steps as I discern God’s direction for me.
The great Irish teacher John Scotus Eriugena taught that God speaks to us through two books. One is the little book, he says, the book of scripture, physically little. The other is the big book, the book of creation, vast as the universe….
Eriugena invites us to listen to the two books in stereo, to listen to the strains of the human heart in scripture and to discern within them the sound of God and to listen to the murmurings and thunders of creation and to know within them the music of God’s Being. To listen to the one without the other is to only half listen. To listen to scripture without creation is to lose the cosmic vastness of the song. To listen to creation without scripture is to lose the personal intimacy of the voice… In the Celtic world, both texts are read in the company of Christ.
J Philip Newell in Christ of the Celts
There is within Celtic Christianity a deep appreciation of the natural world that grew out of the belief that all creation was birthed not out of a void of nothingness but out of the substance of God. Creation is translucent, the glory of God shines through it.
What difference would it make if we viewed everything as a translucent curtain through which the glory and wisdom of God shines? Grab your journal or a sheet of blank paper, a coloured crayon or pencil and a pen and head out into your closest green space, even if it is raining. Look around. What immediately catches your attention? Perhaps it is a rock of a certain shape, or a leaf of a special colour. It might even be a weed that you want to pull out! In what ways does the glory of God shine through it? Take a few moments to pay attention to the object and reflect on it in your journal. What aspect of God does it enhance for you? In what ways is God using it to nudge you in the right direction?
This view of the earth is so important. How we view God’s creation reflects our attitude towards it. If we believe this world is just a place to build our houses, drive our cars and dig for oil we will have a very utilitarian attitude towards it, with little respect or concern for its preservation. If we believe that it was created from the substance of God and reflects the glory of God, we see it as sacred, a beautiful tribute to the God who created it and loves it. It is to be reverenced (not worshipped) cared for and protected.
In Slow Seasons, Rosie Steer draws on experiences growing up in Scotland, and guides us through the old Celtic calendar. She encourages us to slow down and tune into nature’s rhythms to get back what is important. She comments
“Maybe it’s because the world is so complex and busy that we cling to goals and achievements to carve out a sense of control, to shape our own narratives…. Foraging a new path in the forest of life takes time and effort. You need to muster your commitment to new patterns of thinking, exposing yourself to new experiences – and yes, sometimes the attendant anxieties they bring – to create a healthier path that, over time will become well-trodden. (Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer., 11)
Paying attention to nature and listening to when it tells us to slow down, let go or change direction, is an important part of discernment. Through nature God is revealed, gives us permission to slow down, and encourages us to take notice of all that is around us.
It is not only the Celts who were aware of the beauty of God shining through creation. The Hebrews too were aware of this as is expressed in the following responsive prayer from Psalm 65. This prayer is part of this longer litany for creation.
God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
God our Saviour you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
You are the hope of the farthest seas,
When morning dawns and evening fades
You call forth songs of joy
God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
You care for the land and water it;
You enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
To provide the people with grain,
For so you have ordained it.
God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
You soften it with showers and bless its crops.
You crown the year with your bounty,
And your carts overflow with abundance.
God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
The grasslands of the deserts overflow;
The hills are clothed with gladness.
The meadows are covered with flocks
And the valleys are mantled with grain;
They shout for joy and sing
God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
What is your response?
Pick up a leaf. Place it behind the next clean sheet of paper in your journal and make a rubbing of the leaf with your coloured pencil. Be gentle but press hard enough that you begin to see the outline of your leaf’s shape and its stem and veins. Take time to study your leaf closely. Smell it, rub your fingers across its surface. Touch it to your skin.
Next to your rubbing reflect on the following thoughts: What does this leaf tell you about the God who created it? What does it tell you about yourself as a created being? Your thoughts may have come together into a prayer or poem. Write that down too.
Now read through the prayer above several times. What other thoughts come to mind? Are there ways that God is prompting you to show your respect for creation in new ways? What other lessons do you sense God wants to teach you through your interaction with nature?
by Carol Dixon
Opening words: The early part of the year is a good time to think about new beginnings – new challenges and new choices. Our first hymn takes up the theme.
HYMN: Every New morning
1.Every new morning God gives us freely
hearts that are thankful, strength for the task,
people who love us, joy in our service,
all we have need of if we but ask.
2.God will be with us in all our thinking,
in all our speaking, in all we do;
and as we praise him by all our actions,
he will be with us, seeing us through.
3.God in the morning, God in the noontide,
God in the evening, throughout the day;
God is within us, and all around us,
behind, before us all of the way.
© Carol Dixon 1998
Church of Scotland Hymnary 4
Opening Prayer:
Glorious God, we praise you for your presence with us
Each and every day –
In the vastness of the universe
and in the minutiae of our ordinary lives,
in the beauty of the world around us,
in the freshness of each dawn
And the golden glory of each sunset.
We praise you for your presence
with us here and now in Jesus
Our Friend and Saviour who through
His gift of the Holy Spirit
Gives abundant life
To all who love him and seek to follow him
And share his peace with all around.
Glorious God,
We praise you for your presence with us
In our worship and in our lives, now and forever. Amen.
Reflection: Now that January is half way through I wonder how many of you have kept to your new year resolutions (if you made any)? Just after new year I came across a much more interesting way of starting anew in a beautiful poem by Sally Coleman called New Year Choices. We’re going to hear it now.
Choices
I pause…
To reflect, looking ahead to a new year
Looking with hope,
I choose not to make myself,
Or anyone else
False promises.
I choose not to set
Unrealistic goals.
Instead, I choose to choose life
Having to acknowledge
That I am unsure
What I mean by that,
So perhaps I am choosing
To give myself to the unfolding of new days,
To the unfolding of this moment by moment existence,
Not striving for what might be, nor
For what I might be…
So I choose not to be
Competitive
With either my own demands,
Nor the demands of the culture that
Constantly shifts in its definition of what is,
Or what is not acceptable…
I choose love,
Knowing that I have only paddled
In the shallows of it
But long to strike out into the deep…
I choose these things
Awake to the inevitability
That I will fall and fail in them,
But trusting that I am
Held in the shelter
Of a greater power,
Who I know so little of,
But who knows me completely…
In this I rest,
All will be well, All will be well,
All manner of things will be well… ©Sally Coleman
Christine Sine (the founder and Facilitator of Godspacelight) in her introduction to the poem invited us to consider which lines in Sally’s poem resonate particularly with us and what our response to them would be. The lines that immediately jumped out at me were the end of the poem where she quotes the words of Mother Julian of Norwich – All shall be well. Our next piece of music is based on Mother Julian’s words and I invite you to read through the poem (on the back of the hymn sheet) as we listen.
Song: All shall be well
All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.
All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.
God’s love protect you, God’s love enfold you,
God cradle you in the palm of his hand.
All shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.
So what is your response to Sally’s ponderings on new beginnings? Which line of her beautiful prayer leapt out at you? Perhaps you have a different choice of your own as your intention for this year? (Responses)
Another part of the poem that caught my eye as I read through it were the words ‘The unfolding of new days’ and ‘the unfolding of this moment by moment existence’. One of the Bible readings that speaks to me of this newness of life is in Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthians Ch 5 (vs 17-21) & Andrew going to read it for us now:
Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Good News Translation
17 Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new is come. 18 All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. 19 Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends. 20 Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends! 21 Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.
Reflection (cont) One of the wonderful things about the reading that always jumps out at me is the fact it’s in the present tense – we are ‘being made new’ all the time. No matter what happened yesterday of even 5 minutes ago we have the chance to start again in Christ – as we head earlier in our opening hymn (Every new morning God gives us freely hearts to be thankful strength for the task.) An old hymn that speaks of God’s renewing love is Great is thy faithfulness. Let’s sing it now to lead into our prayers.
Hymn 76. Great is thy faithfulness
Prayers of intercession: Gracious God,
In Jesus you make all things new.
Your mercy is all encompassing
And you offer new life to all who ask in faith.
So much is wrong in our world today –
So much sorrow, so much strife,
People and planet suffering through greed –
For power, for more than our fair share,
We don’t know how to begin to pray.
Send your Holy Spirit t to us so that
In the quietness of our hearts
We can bring our prayers to you
For our families, for friends in need,
for our world and for ourselves….. (silence)
Gracious God
We thank you for hearing our prayers
Even before we form them;
Thank you for renewing us in heart, mind and spirit
To love and serve all we meet
In Jesus’ name. Amen. (The Lord’s Prayer together)
Our closing hymn picks up on the final words of the Lord’s prayer in each verse. I wrote it at the beginning of a new year just before the turn of the new century when we celebrated 2000 years since the birth of Jesus.. 24 years later it is still relevant.
HYMN Give us the vision
1.Give us the vision
for the coming year,
as we look to the future –
to overcome our fear,
and boldly take a stand
as we seek to make each land,
a kingdom fit for you.
2. Give us the vision
for the church, your bride,
to be pure, strong and holy –
to overcome our pride,
and humbly understand
we receive with open hand,
the pow-er from you.
3. Give us the vision
for our exploited earth
as we watch our planet suff’ring,
and see the peoples’ hurt;
spur us on at your command
until each and every land
gives glory to you.
♥Carol Dixon 1998 ‘Songs for the new millennium’ Methodist Publishing House
Blessing: (from Psalm 121)
The Lord guard you and protect you
Every day and every night of your lives
In the burning of the sun, in the coolness of the moonlight.
May God keep you safe as you go out and as you come in,
This day, every day, and always. Amen
We have Lent and Easter resources we have collected over the years. Feel free to explore them here. Ash Wednesday is in just a couple of weeks!
As I said last week, Christine Sine and I share a birthday week! Both of us are January babies. As a kid, I didn’t like having a birthday in January because I usually had exams on my birthday and often my parents and others had given so much at Christmas that January was light on gifts.
This year I’ve had a lot of fun celebrating my birthday with last minute trip our to visit my sister in the Pacific Northwest. I greatly apologize to all of my friends who I didn’t get to see. I had planned to host a coffee with Seattle friends but due to the snow and ice in Nashville, I didn’t get to leave when I’d planned and almost didn’t make the trip at all! I actually ended up taking my suitcases down our hill on a sled to meet my Lyft driver. (that’s a great story for another post! ) It was a working trip so I didn’t have a lot of time to play. But it was a great GIFT to get to see the mountains and the snow up in Lynden where my sister lives. My work was helping her decorate after a long remodel project! Got to use my atmosphere architecture gift in a different way!
Since I was blessed with birthday gifts this week, here are a few I want to give to myself and to you and our world this year!
The Gift of Beauty…taking time to notice and discover the beauty around us. Take time to notice the clouds, the colors, the smiles on people’s faces.
The Gift of Silence…taking time to listen …to God, and for God. Turning off the noise of life and really being still. Creating a space daily for silence and making a way for a longer retreat time of silence.
The Gift of Listening… to each other! Truly taking the time to notice and know the people in our world. AND taking time to listen to ourselves. What are we needing? What is our heart longing for?
The Gift of CURIOSITY…learn something new every day! Be like Ted Lasso…Be curious and not judgmental. What do you want to learn more about? What is something you’ve dreamed of learning but haven’t gotten around to YET?
The Gift of OUTSIDE….taking time each day to get outside and breathe fresh air. When you are spinning inside or anxious, take a walk! Invite a friend to join you!
The Gift of ALL our SENSES…goes along with beauty and curiosity and getting outside! We have lost a lot of our senses due to staring at screens all day long! Touch taste smell hear, see! EXPERIENCE life! What is your favorite thing to smell? What are tastes that bring you joy? Notice textures and colors too! Color with crayons!
The Gift of PLAY…What brought you JOY as a kid? How can you do more of that? Sledding last week was so joy filled for me!
The Gift of FRIENDS and Community. We’ve all gotten out of the habit of being together. We all get really busy and don’t take time to call or plan a coffee date. Let’s change that this year and make some new friends too!
The Gift of REST! You know that’s my favorite! Did you know there are seven kinds?
The GIFT OF KINDNESS to ourselves as well as to one another! What if we talked to ourselves in a kind and nurturing way each day rather than beating ourselves up when we lose our keys or forget an appointment or a birthday? Notice what your self talk is like and give yourself the gift of kindness!
The GIFT OF HOPE
I feel like I am just getting started on this new year, even though it’s already the last week of January!
I seem to have lots more questions than I have answers and my calendar has a lot more empty space than it usually does. Some of that is good and some of that feels really scary. I need more paid work but what is mine to do this year?
If I’m being honest, the fact that it’s an election year here in America is very unnerving….and fills me with dread. And then there are all the wars and suffering….it’s A LOT!!! I feel we all NEED THE GIFT OF HOPE!
READ THE PSALM and let Jesus speak to you…
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.3 How long will you assault me?
Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?4 Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place;
they take delight in lies.With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or put vain hope in stolen goods;though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God and with you,
Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
PSALM 62:1 NIV
This Psalm gives me hope!
How are you doing as this year begins? Are you feeling hopeful or anxious?
What gifts do you need to receive?
What GIFTS do you want to OPEN in this new year? Pick a couple to open this week!
As my friend Scott Erickson reminds me ….we don’t have to…WE GET TO! Life is a Gift we get to open each day!
Thank you Jesus for the Gift of a new year! Thank you for birthdays and friendships and hot tea on a cold day! For snow fall and sledding and laughter, and tears too. You are in the celebrations with us and in the sadness. Help us all to remember that you hold us in the palm of your hand and love us more than we can understand or even imagine! Thank you that we GET TO open our hearts and our lives to you each day.
We love you Jesus! AMEN
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
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