Sky Dancers

Yesterday while on my way to the grocery store just past Ranck's United Methodist Church, the mundane suddenly became extraordinary.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw them, sky dancing in perfect harmony. Setting the fourways, I pulled my subie onto the shoulder, and for about four minutes I stepped into a John Denver song where the air was still and clear, the sky was blue, and beauty was the spoken language. A pair of bald eagles were sky dancing over the fields; synchronized, dipping, soaring, twirling, mirror images of one another. I gazed until they flew beyond my sight, and then I continued with my daily tasks. What took less than 5 minutes filled me with awe, joy, thanksgiving, and inspiration affecting my actions and attitude for the rest of the day.(Sadly, I didn't capture any pictures!)
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; the voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Ps19:1-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcSJnDoAAg  For those of you too young to know who John Denver is, here he is singing "Eagle and the Hawk." :)

This week as we celebrate the manifestation of the Christ to the Magi, open your eyes and see! There are epiphanies, those understandings and manifestations of God, all around, perhaps even dancing in the sky! Brother Mick's message this week is called "Real Gifts to Give" with the scripture text from Matthew 2:1-12 exploring what insights and challenges this story has to share. The worship service begins at 10:15a with the Christian formation hour from 9-10a for which Brother Mick will be joining you in the Upper Room. There will be singing in the Rec room from 9-9:15a.
Here is a link to this week's bulletin for more info. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf

What a joy it was to see some of you I hadn't seen for quite some time!  A special thanks to Rick and Gwen for hosting a fun Christmas party. :) Peace and blessings to those of you who are returning to classes, work, and training this week. Keep in touch!

Prayer for today: You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. Ps 104:10-13
We praise you, Creator God. Open our senses to your Presence.  Open our hearts to your love.  Open our minds to your thoughts. Open our arms to draw those who are in need, lonely, hungry, and hurting to your merciful embrace. 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

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