Epiphany

The Epiphany-- the recognition of the Christ by the Magi, those 3 kings of the Orient of whom we sing; a most amazing understanding of truth.

An epiphany-- an "Ahh Ha!" moment; a sudden understanding of the meaning of something or insight of perception.

I love those moments of "Oh, Yeah! I get it!" Or "Ohhhhh, I wonder if it's because of...." I'll bet one's brain would light up if one would have such a moment during an MRI of the noggin. 

 I had such a moment this week as I thought about my family and our Christmas celebration.  Even though our daughters are now young adults (AND we even have a son-in-law in the mix) our enjoyment, laughter, and fun is more wonderful than ever.  We still hang stockings on bedroom doorknobs to be opened at whatever time the girls and boy awaken, and the gifts are placed under the tree when they go to bed.  Awakening early, we share our love and gifts for one another as we celebrate Immanuel, God With US!

My "Ohhhh, I wonder if...." epiphany came as I thought about Santa Claus.  Santa has always been "a fun pretend" with our daughters. They knew that some children really believed, but they understood that Santa wasn't real. As a child I was one of the true believers of this jolly elf and was thoroughly devastated to learn the truth about Santa from my friend Bunny on the school bus, although I admit to being relieved Santa couldn't see me in the bathtub! Bunny told me there wasn't really a toothfairy which led me to put 2 and 2 together (I was a bright child), and I came to the realization that Santa, the toothfairy, and yes, even the Easter Bunny was all trickery!  

(Please know I'm not trying to bash your traditions at all! I'm merely wanting to share a bit of my story and thoughts of my own journey.)  My epiphany came as the thought flew into my head, "Oh, maybe our family never lost the "magic" of Christmas, because we never embraced the Santa fairytale."  Our Christmas celebration has always been based on the Jesus story.  Our girls would play Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus all the time during Advent. Perhaps the "magic" of Christmas remains alive and well because it was never lost when the truth about Santa was discovered.

 Whatever your family traditions are, hold to the truth about Christmas.  The mystery and magic of the nativity story and life of our Christ is alive and well!

Brother Mick will be preaching from Matthew 2:1-12 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%202&version=NLT which tells the story about the visit of the wise men to Jesus and the subsequent change in their lives. His message is entitled, "It Starts Here," and we will be challenged to face the New Year with transformation through our relationship with the Christ.

There is no Sunday school this week.  The service will begin at 10:15am.  There will be coffee available preservice. :)

Congratulations to Kevin and Rachel on the announcement of a baby arriving this summer!

It's been great to see many of you home from afar.  Any of you up for coffee or lunch next week? 

Thanks to Laura for joining the senior high youth on the cold, wet, and rainy trip to Central Market in Lancaster. No, we did not spot Lady Gaga.

My prayer for you today: God of mystery and light, touch our lives today that we might experience you in new and transforming ways.  Our journeys are all different, yet you travel with us.  Open our eyes to recognize you. Peace, Hope, Love, Grace, Joy, Light-- envelop us in your Presence--Immanuel-- with us, never to leave us nor forsake us.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too. 
love and light,
carol
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD  

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

 

Photo credit- Jim Lapp


 I wish you could have seen her face.  Joy and light emanated from this dear friend as she lay against the bed, oxygen prongs in place, and although was struggling with the "timeline" of reality and her very breath, she sang wholeheartedly the  "Glooooooooooooooooooooooria" in Angels We Have Heard On High with those of us who were caroling to her Wednesday night. I was reminded of the power and blessing of music, the power and blessing of this tradition, and the power and blessing of a relationship with our Lord. 

 Music is a gift that permeates our hearts and souls unlike any mere spoken word. Forgotten memories awaken as familiar melodies are rendered taking us to other times and places. Although we may no longer be able to create beautiful sound, music can incite our very souls to sing. Joy. Praise. Hope. Love. Peace.

I used to make caroling a priority during the Advent season, singing with various groups several times each season. Busyness has distracted me. I'm not a great singer, but I can hold a tune, and I certainly know Christmas songs. If you think of it next year, keep me accountable.  Ask me, "Carol, how many times are you caroling this year?" or better yet, ask if you can join me! This tradition is one that certainly blesses all the participants and truly is worship. I hope when I am 90 years old someone comes to sing for me!

My dear sister Frances has lived her life in relationship with her Lord even spending time in the convent as a teen considering if her call was to dedicate her life as a nun to her Jesus (I use the possessive pronoun "her" Lord, "her" Jesus as that is how she discusses her relationship with God.) She is very human and like all of us has struggled with living out this relationship in ways that honor God. Yet the depth of joy that radiated from her on Wednesday was more than the music; her very soul was praising the Lord  with all her being and the glory of God radiated from her face.

"Rejoice in the Lord!The fullness of time has come.  As the earth brings forth its shoots, so God sent the Son, born into the human condition, to set us free to live as beloved children.  The unexpected has happened. We belong to God."

Brother Mick will be sharing the message, "This Is Real Life" from Luke 2:1-7 reminding us of the harsh reality to which Jesus was born, yet with him the glimmer of light and hope of all.  There will be no Sunday school classes, so the service will begin at 10:15am with coffee, cookies, and fellowship time beginning at 9:30am.  

Christmas Eve service will begin at 7pm here at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville PA. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/ 

My prayer for today:  Creator of the stars and sun, you are the one true light. You are the one hope. You are the living joy, the heart's home, the breathing love. You call each of us by name to dwell with you. O God, powerful and mighty, you became one of us that we could gaze into your eyes and know life and true love. Thank you. Bless each reader with a reminder of your loving presence today and always.  Peace. Love. Life. Joy. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too. 
Love and Light,
Carol

   "Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD
    

"Haves" and "Have Nots"

 Have you seen the photo image that has been making its rounds on facebook depicting a split picture with half showing emaciated children reaching upward as if for food and the second part displaying women with overflowing shopping carts filled with games and stuff? None of the photo subjects appears happy.  The caption reads, "Define Necessity."

I must confess, as one of the "haves," these images cause me to feel really uncomfortable which I would guess is the intention of the post. I enjoy the overflow of gifts we have under the tree. I have a lovely home with a bit of land. I have warmth and clothing. I have clean water, hot water, and running water. I have cars (plural) to drive, an education, books, bikes, electricity, a piano, toys, phones, computers, and a few extra pounds.   Many of us glance at the images of these dear children and quickly skip to the next post because we don't want to be reminded of the want and need in the world. Many of us look at the images and say, "Wow, this is a good reminder of how blesssed we are," and yes, that is true but is that where we stop?  I am more and more convinced  as I mature (aka get older) that for those of us who are followers of Jesus, it is worship when we feed and clothe the hungry.  God's way is not our comfortable way. Afterall, God came to the earth as a "have not"  and was even an "alien" for a while in Egypt. Is not the best way to honor and praise our Lord to model the sacrificial love exemplified by our Jesus?

Mother Teresa's statement of "We cannot do great things on this earth, only small things with great love" helps me when I feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the pain and despair in the world. 

Small things--Great Love.

Mennonite Central Committee  http://www.mcc.org/ has urgent needs for hygiene and school kits. There are cloth bags on the MCC table which you can pick up, fill, and return to the table.

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/missions.htm  We are helping to feed the hungry children in our community. If you live locally and would like to help pack or deliver the food packs, sign up in the lobby.

http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1528  If you spend time on the computer, why not play "freerice" and feed the hungry at the same time?

Small things-- great love-- Doable--Today--Tomorrow-- At home--At shopping centers--In cars--With family--With friends--With strangers--With adults--With children--At church--At school--At work--At play. Small things--Great Love--NOW!

Whoo! Got a little preachy there!

Brother Mick, with his knee securely in a brace, will be preaching a message he's calling, "Let It Be." In Luke 1 Mary responds to the angel with "let it be with me according to your word." Do we trust God to be in control of our lives? Additional scriptures are 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Romans 16:25-27.

College students, I hope to see you in the Upper Room this Sunday at 9am! I've been praying for you as you've completed papers and taken exams!

Blessings to Craig who is back in Minnesota after having blessed us with his presence this fall. Craig, you added much thought and wisdom to our discussions. Thank you!  Keep us posted on life!

On Wednesday, Dec. 21 I plan to take a group Christmas caroling to Manor Care Health Center on the west side of Lancaster where Frances and Albert, and Amanda reside.  Would you like to join me? :)

My prayer for you today: Creator God, you are present in this new day.  In fact, you have a plan for this day and for each of us.  Help us to pay attention to your schedule. Help us to see people as you see them. Help us to enter your plan even if it messes up our own activities. Grant us courage to act. Let us do small things with great love so that others will see YOU in us. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here, on earth as it is in heaven.  In Jesus' name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too.
Love and Light,
Carol
"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD