Wed. Dec. 23, I have the privilege of sharing a brief homily/reflection for the 7 A.M. service at St Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage, AK. My inspiration for that talk is a reading from Isaiah 43:19 which proclaims: "Thus says the Lord... I am about to do a new thing. Now it springs forth! Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Through Advent, we've been walking together with Mary and Joseph for days now. As we approach Bethlehem, its just 24 hours or less until we arrive. Soon we will hear the proclamation that: A CHILD IS BORN ! And then the fulfillment of Isaiah 43:19 will occur: a new thing will spring forth into the world ! And the deserts of our hearts and lives will be reminded of the rivers of life that Jesus Christ brings.
Imagine being at the stable: companioning Mary and Joseph.
We sing of it.
We hear the story told in scripture and sermon.
We watch pageants.
And yet, do we grasp the depth, in our own hearts, of this NEW THING? As Isaiah asks: Do we perceive it?
What does the child in the manger represent in your life? Is it a new endeavor? Is it a new commitment? Is it humbling yourself before your God to serve Him in a new way? Does the child represent the birth of some new way of being? Possible recovery from an addiction? Healing? Freedom to be who you really are in Christ ?
Third Day, a Christian rock band sings to us and encourages us to PERCEIVE IT ! Their song titled "Feels like I'm born again" and its lyrics ignite such joy and passion for living as a NEW VIBRANT BEING because of Christ! Some lyrics from the song: "I wasn't looking for something that was more than what I had yesterday. Then you came to me and you gave to me, life! and love! that I had never known. .. Feels like I'm born again!!" What I get from that song are lots of memories of my own walk with Christ and times when I have felt healed and invigorated. But also I get that the baby Jesus opens the way in the wilderness of 2010 for each of us to walk forward as NEW -- NEWBORN - creatures ! Thanks to God's provenient grace: Christ makes us new each morning!
Daily, our city of Anchorage has new opportunities to address old issues because Christ flows NEW like a river in the desert admidst us.
Daily, moment by moment, our own lives and souls have opportunity for conversion -- conversion from old to new life in Christ.
As a Benedictine Oblate, my favorite daily meditation is a book by Attorney John McQuiston II, titled ALWAYS WE BEGIN AGAIN. His message is that each day we can offer ourselves as something NEW -- springing forth -- beginning again.
May the new thing that is upon us this Christmas week cause us to rejoice !
May the new thing that springs forth cause us to listen deeply for ways to be an expression of Him!
Just as baby Jesus emerged into the world humbly ... May we emerge as the NEW CHURCH and begin again EACH DAY as new Lights for Christ in the new year.
"Thus says the Lord ... I am about to do a new thing ! NOW it springs forth ! Do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
Third Day - Born Again ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fw9EDKGHTU
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Your reflection guided me to a few resolutions for today. #1 I am going to imagine being in Bethlehem. And #2 I am going to seriously look at what the NEW THING needs to be for me in the new year.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, It is 8:30 AM so you have already delivered your beautiful homily. I am so excited about the "new things" that are welling up in your life. You are ripe. : ) The time is soon. Love....
ReplyDelete