See you at the New Blog Site

This blog has moved to a simpler address: http://footprintsfromthebible.blogspot.com/ See you there for future meditations, including one for each of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Friendship and Accountablity

The Christmas season reminds us of the value and love of friends. We each need to have a circle of friends to share experiences with. Sometimes those friends are members of our family. Sometimes we find them at work or church. Sometimes they are people we grew up with or share common experiences with.



I have a group of women whose friendship I treasure. We have supported one another through many life changes. There have been traumas with children, health issues, job changes, challenges to faith, and just life in general. Some of these women have moved away, but we still keep in touch. Most important is the way we hold each other accountable for our actions. When someone makes a plan, we help her remember what it was. If one of us is discouraged, we offer support and let her know she isn't alone. When anyone in the group is seeking answers, we pray with her.

Even Jesus had his closest companions—the 12 disciples. And within that group were the ones nearest his heart—Peter, James, and John. There were many who followed him as Rabbi, but it was these special few that He entrusted with His true identity and mission. Do you follow Jesus as a wise Rabbi or as the One whose birth we celebrate in 3 days--the "God Incarnate, Man Divine" (as the hymn puts it)?

Hopefully you, too, have friends you can laugh AND cry with. You will find your life journey enriched by the friends who walk with you. I’m sure you already know how much they support you and hold you accountable to your calling in life. Take time to say “Thanks” to the special ones in your life, this and every season.


See you tomorrow.

Advent Four

This is the Fourth and final Sunday of Advent. All the candles are lit in anticipation of the imminent arrival of our Lord.

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The prayer for today from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer reminds us that God comes to us daily, not just at Christmas. We are also reminded to be a dwelling place -- and not just any dwelling, but a MANSION. Think about what images come to mind when you consider 'mansion'.

Is it a place where the rich and famous live?

Is it a medieval castle?

Is it an old haunted place?

Is it, like the photo above, a house that has been turned into a bed and breakfast? (http://www.themansioninn.com)

What about your own Mansion--what space do you have in your heart for our Lord?

See you tomorrow.

Don't forget yourself

The weekend before Christmas can be a hectic time with everyone trying to do all the last minute things: shopping and decorating and baking and cleaning and polishing and on and on. All this can leave us stressed and exhausted before we ever get to the actual Day.

To be counter cultural and not ‘do’ any of these things is probably not an option for too many of us. Children and family members and friends all seem to have expectations. And it is fun to see the surprised or delighted faces when they open a special gift.

I would suggest, though, that you carve out a time for yourself. Give yourself the gift of an hour or two where you can sit quietly and hear the angels sing.

Maybe that will involve sitting down to watch a favorite Christmas movie.
It could be a walk through the zoo or along a nature path.
How about reading “The Gift of the Magi” or some other lovely old Christmas story?
Perhaps simply ordering pizza instead of cooking dinner is what you need.
Soaking in a warm bubble bath with scented candles in the room can be relaxing.
You could read the Bible account of the birth and sit with the story for a while, thinking about how you would have felt if you were present.

My husband and I plan to go to the River of Lights this weekend--a display of figures all made of strings of lights. Some seem to move and it's always fascinating to see the craftsmanship.

See you tomorrow.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree has a long history. Like the luminaria, the symbolism originated in the darkness of the change of seasons. The evergreen branches were used to ward off evil spirits and to bring prosperity. These customs were esp. important to the Roman December celebration of Saturnalia. For centuries the Church prohibited use of evergreen boughs in Christian celebrations because of the pagan connection.

The current custom of Christmas trees seems to have originated in Germany. Legend has it that Martin Luther noticed how lovely the stars looked amid the evergreens in the forest and brought one home for his children to remind them of God’s creation. Despite opposition by Calvin and other Reformers, the tree was here to stay.

The Christmas tree came to England when Prince Albert (of Germany) gave Queen Victoria a tree in 1841. German immigrants to America brought the tradition to the United States. Soon ornaments, paper chains, candles (and then electric lights) were found on the trees.

Whether your tree is artificial, freshly cut or living, the beauty and symbolism brighten homes and businesses throughout the season. The addition of a few baubles and tinsel transforms the most scrawny tree into a thing of beauty.

As Linus so eloquently put it, "I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love."

Maybe we all need the reminder that we are not ‘bad little trees’, all we need is a ‘little love’ to become beautiful in adoration of the Holy Child.

See you tomorrow.