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How the Light Comes - A Blessing for Christmas Day                       by Jan Richardson

12/25/2019

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I cannot tell you
how the light comes.
What I know
is that it is more ancient
than imagining.
That it travels
across an astounding
expanse
to reach us.

That it loves
searching out
what is hidden
what is lost
what is forgotten
or in peril
or in pain.

That it has a fondness
for the body
for finding its way
toward flesh
for tracing the edges
of form
for shining forth
through the eye,
the hand,
the heart.

I cannot tell you
how the light comes,
but that it does.
That it will.
That it works its way
into the deepest dark
that enfolds you,
though it may seem
long ages in coming
or arrive in a shape
you did not foresee.

And so
may we this day
turn ourselves toward it.
May we lift our faces
to let it find us.
May we bend our bodies
to follow the arc it makes.
May we open
and open more
and open still to
the blessed light
that comes.



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The Light Shines...

2/20/2018

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Once again we have a school shooting and it breaks my heart to hear more children have been killed. Sometimes it feels like there is darkness all around us. Most people say they are praying for the families, emergency and rescue workers as well as the medical teams who work tirelessly to save, repair and console the injured who have experienced this tragedy. Often times when the world seems dark, chaotic and out of control, I open my Bible to the first chapter of John, verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Why? In a world of evil, fear, and desperation I need light and hope. For me, Jesus is the light and hope that shines into the world. How does Jesus bring the light into a sometimes dark world? Simply by his constant and abiding love for us. A love so great it overcomes all of the dark places in which we find ourselves. We have just entered into the Lenten season in which we focus on his death and resurrection. In this tragic time of sorrow, confusion and frustration we can walk alongside of Christ on his journey to the cross filled with unbelievable pain, betrayal and death.

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Hello 2018...

1/2/2018

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Happy New Year!!
I am looking forward to 2018 because it offers a fresh start to the next 365 days and because it is an even number. I like even numbers and it so happens that 18 is my favorite number. I have no good reason why it is my favorite, it just is. I am happy to let go of this past year and look forward to a more positive year ahead.


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Robust Hope...

11/29/2016

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Thanksgiving is over and now we can look forward to the Christmas holiday season. The retail shopping experience seems to start earlier and earlier each year as the decorated Christmas trees have adorned the store aisles since before Halloween. It is a holiday filled with lights, beautifully decorated trees, Christmas carols, parties, and a time of buying gifts for people we care about. Little children are excited to see Santa and insist that they have been nice rather than naughty and excitedly hand the jolly bearded one their long wish lists. The adults scramble from store to store searching for just the right present to put under the tree. It can a fun but hectic four weeks!


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Mary Did You Know

12/21/2015

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The Advent season, which starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving, is a time of preparation and expectation for the Christ child, which culminates on Christmas Eve. Most churches are filled with bright red poinsettias, nativity scenes and Christmas trees filled with meaningful ornaments. Often times the service ends with everyone holding a candle and singing the carol Silent Night. The ambiance of the whole experience fills me with warmth and blessing that God’s is faithful in sending his son, the promised Savior.
Like most people, Christmas is a special time of year for me. I love the colors that shine brilliantly on trees, on homes and in store windows. It is a festive time filled with the hustle and bustle of shopping, Christmas programs and people greeting each other with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” One of my favorite Christmas experiences is the Christmas Eve church service. 

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