On this Epiphany, this d365.org devotional is worth a read. Among many good comments, Meredith Forssman says:

“If the story of the wise men is about the light of Jesus shining out for all to follow, it is also about seeing and recognizing the Lord — often in the most unexpected places. Are our eyes open to recognize Christ among us? The light is shining above the vulnerable, the poor, the refugee, the homeless, the outcast. May the light of our faith be our guide as we seek to see Jesus in our midst.”

What actions among the vulnerable, the poor, the refugee, the homeless, the outcast might we be able to take this upcoming week? A few ideas are HERE

EPIPHANY PRAYER STARTER: the first Scripture prayer for Epiphany 2020 from the Revised Common Lectionary Prayers HERE  includes these lines:

“Radiant Morning Star,
you are both guidance and mystery,
Visit our rest with disturbing dreams,
and our journeys with strange companions.”

May we embrace disturbing dreams and strange companions in the days ahead, filled with the mystery and joy of the journey…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Question: What would have happened if it had been three Wise Women instead of three Wise Men?

Answer: They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practical gifts.

That joke and a few others about Epiphany are HERE

Lectionary Texts for Epiphany – – January 6, 2020:

• Isaiah 60:1-6 
• Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 
• Ephesians 3:1-12 
• Matthew 2:1-12

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It’s good to dream and then act on those dreams when the Spirit stirs. Jackson Browne gives plenty of food for thought in the song Far From the Arms of Hunger (listen HERE.) The full lyrics are HERE including these

When we decide
That all our might just weighs us down
Then will we find
The means to turn our world around

~ Jackson Browne (Far From the Arms of Hunger)

As we continue living into this year, may we find the means to turn our world around on many dimensions…

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 5, 2020:

• Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 
• Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• John 1:(1-9), 10-18

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In THIS devotional from 2015, Joe Lovino shares ideas to jump-start your new year. Not only can this be a new year to take things on, it can be a time to give things up.

What will be on your “give it up” list for the year upcoming? Anything you want to take on?

Enjoy the first day of the new calendar year, filled with the Spirit and the extra energy that the year 2020 can bring!

P.S. In case you want to see what Calvin & Hobbes has to say about taking on and giving up, check it out HERE

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 5, 2020:

• Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 
• Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• John 1:(1-9), 10-18

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Memories. Peace.

Consider clicking HERE and listening to some beautiful music while reading on… [music is a combination of Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) /Auld Lang Syne performed by Chris Botti and Yo-Yo Ma.]

As we finish off 2019 and anticipate 2020 this song combination seems perfect. We remember old times. We seek peace.

How about this for an old-time memory?

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14

And this for what we seek to do in 2020 and forward?

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. ~ Ephesians 1:11-14

POTENTIAL ACTION(S):

• Do you create New Year’s resolutions?
  • If so, in reading the Ephesians verses, what comes to mind that could go on the list to praise God’s glory?
  • If not, what can go on this week’s “to do” list using the Ephesians verses for inspiration?
• Check out a little more about the Scottish history of Auld Lang Syne HERE

Enjoy this last day of 2019, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, January 5, 2020:

• Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 
• Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21 
• Ephesians 1:3-14 
• John 1:(1-9), 10-18

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For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. ~ Isaiah 61:11

Hope is Born Again. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? This song by Jim Brickman has words and tune that are uplifting.

Coming off the Christmas season joy of worship and gatherings with friends and family, we sometimes hit a lull. This song – especially coupled with the Isaiah scriptures – shares the Christian message that we have the opportunity for hope, again and again and again.

ACTION: Listen to Brickman’s tune HERE and let the lyrics soak into your soul

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 29, 2019:

• Isaiah 63:7-9 
• Psalm 148 
• Hebrews 2:10-18 
• Matthew 2:13-23

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“Were it not for a broken organ, there would not have been a Silent Night.” ~ from the book Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan

Tonight marks the 202nd year that Silent Night will be sung at Christmas Eve services. In 1818, Father Joseph Mohr was struggling with music for a worship service since the organ was not working. It resulted in his writing the words to Silent Night and asking his organist, Franz Gruber, to create a tune for guitar accompaniment.

Of all things, it was the organ repairman who may have contributed to Silent Night’s success on more than just that first Christmas. He spread the score and lyrics in the Austrian region where it came to the attention of the Strasser Family singers (sort of like the Von Trapp Family Singers a century or so later.) They sang it around the region and it gained recognition and ultimately was in print, first in a German-language songbook and ultimately in English and other languages.

May we, like that organist, share the joy of Silent Night, in song and spirit and action.

Enjoy the day – and night – filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 29, 2019:

• Isaiah 63:7-9 
• Psalm 148 
• Hebrews 2:10-18 
• Matthew 2:13-23

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“I recently read yet another article on the importance of religion for a child’s healthy development. I put the argument this way: Our children are being raised in a society where the dominant “religion” is not the one found in the Bible, but the competitive, consumer culture. This religion produces anxiety because it convinces us to put our trust in ourselves—our accomplishments, status and overall performance. ” ~ Roger Green HERE

 As usual, Roger’s blog posting has thought-provoking commentary. With technology increasingly invading lives with social media comparisons, anonymity comments, bullying and more, is it any wonder that anxiousness follows?

POTENTIAL ACTIONS: Are there ways you can stir up yourself or others to  actively engage in one or more of these ideas for the younger generations based on Roger’s discussion?

• “When we bring our children to Sunday worship and invite them to rely on a God who is with us in spite of our ‘performance,’ we give our children a durable foundation for their lives.”
• “When we take them to funerals and tell them that God’s love is stronger than death, we address their fear of mortality.”
• “When the church community relentlessly loves them, we remind them of the Good News that their worth is God given.”

PRAYER: Creator – when we begin to feel anxious, stir in us so that we might better know your way for that moment and all our days! Amen.

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 22, 2019:

• Isaiah 7:10-16 
• Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 
• Romans 1:1-7 
• Matthew 1:18-25

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The CP Christmas Youtube channel continues to accumulate more wonderful Christmas songs to play during this wonderful season.

Today’s focus song is Angels Are Making Their Rounds. Here’s what the JW Pepper website says about the song:

“In this original anthem from Pepper Choplin, the angelic appearances and reassurances to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph are musically chronicled in a warm and easy folk-style, that is both endearing and memorable.”

This link connects us to a recording of the 2012 Candlelight Christmas Concert with Grace Baptist Sanctuary Choir and Praise Orchestra sharing the song. Enjoy!

POTENTIAL ACTION: Peruse activity listings in your area to see if there is a carolfest, singing of Messiah or other Christmas concert/performance that you might attend in the week ahead to enjoy musical/spiritual works during this Advent season

Enjoy the day and the Christmas season, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 22, 2019:

• Isaiah 7:10-16 
• Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 
• Romans 1:1-7 
• Matthew 1:18-25

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But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~ Matthew 1:20-21

Fearless? Faithful? Peaceful? Wow – it’s not clear that anyone in Joseph’s position could be any of those things, especially in those times with very different cultural norms.

Yet the reported actions later in Matthew make it appear that Joseph allayed his fears and was faithful to his marriage promise. How filled with peace he was is likely anyone’s guess, though I’m certain Biblical scholars have opinions <smile>.

Faithfulness is the word Pamela C. Hawkins chooses for this week in her Advent book Prepare the Way. As one exercise she encourages us to write a brief prayer “to help you grow in trust and love of God.” Maybe you’ll want to try out your own?

PRAYER: Emmanuel, strengthen my resolve this season and in the years ahead, that I might be peace-filled, fearless and faithful. Amen

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 22, 2019:

• Isaiah 7:10-16 
• Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 
• Romans 1:1-7 
• Matthew 1:18-25

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Are Christmas songs putting you in the mood for the holiday? This Guideposts article discusses how the author found peace in an unlikely Christmas song. That song – All is Well (sung in this link by Carrie Underwood and Michael W. Smith) – has a beautiful melody and the “all is well” message promotes calm in the midst of stress.

Highlighting “Christmas songs” will continue for the next few weeks.  For many, these songs help in Christian understanding of the season and also evoke emotions of today and days gone by.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS: think of a favorite Christmas song.

• search for that song on the internet using the song title plus “youtube” -> maybe listen to one of the versions that show up in the search?
• share the name of the song in the comments section at the bottom of this post -> perhaps that will prompt CP commentary about that song during this or a future Christmas season?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for Sunday, December 15, 2019:

• Isaiah 35:1-10 
• Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55 
• James 5:7-10 
• Matthew 11:2-11

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