Contemplating Grace

The Second Day of Christmas Reading: “God…separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome…the second day.”[1] Reflection: In the Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, the gift of the second day is two turtle doves, which are traditional symbols of love, peace, and sacrifice. One of … Continue reading The Second Day of Christmas

The First Day of Christmas Reading: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One!”[1] Reflection: December 26th begins the Twelve Days of Christmas, the period of time between Christmas and Epiphany, or between the birth of Jesus and his revelation as a child of God. The twelve days of Christmas are … Continue reading The First Day of Christmas

Christmas Day Reading: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”[1] Meditation: Embrace the Darkness Everything in creation manifests in darkness. The Bible’s first creation story reads: “…the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…” All life emerges from under the cover of darkness: … Continue reading Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Reading: “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”[1] Reflection: Beneath the love we … Continue reading Christmas Eve

Season of Advent Love, Day 3 Reading: “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.”[1] Reflection: … Continue reading Season of Advent: Love, Day 3

Season of Advent: Love, Day 2 Reading: “(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”[1] Reflection: The opposite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is apathy – not caring, not seeing another, acting as if the other does not exist or that I have no responsibility for … Continue reading Season of Advent: Love, Day 2

Season of Advent Love, Day 1 Reading: “If I give away all my possessions…but do not have love, I gain nothing.”[1] Reflection: The fourth theme of Advent is Love, a term which so has many meanings and applications in English as to almost be meaningless. With respect to the birth of the Christ-child within, Love … Continue reading Season of Advent: Love, Day 1

Season of Advent Joy, Day 7 Reading: “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them at the inn’”[1] Reflection: Whether we believe … Continue reading Season of Advent: Day 7