Day #364

December 30, 2014

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, God gave to me….six text messages from different folks who care about me and others. What a joy to have community!

Blessings.

Day #363

December 29, 2014

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, God gave to me….five months (or so) of waiting until spring and fly-fishing. Just had an invitation I can’t wait to take the person up on. Something to dream about when it’s in the minus degrees tonight. :-)

Blessings.

Day #362

December 28, 2014

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, God gave to me....four hours of unscheduled time to use getting caught up.

There were thank you notes that needed to be written for things that go back for weeks. Having the extra time today allowed me to realize again how blessed we have been during this relocation. We are so thankful for all the cards, gifts, notes, calls, encouragement, hugs, etc. And I’m especially thankful for the time today to write and let folks know how appreciative we are!

Blessings.

Day #361

December 27, 2014

 

On the Third Day of Christmas, God gave to me....the assurance that there is always prayer:

• When things happen I cannot control
• When things happen I cannot fix
• When things happen I am too far away to attend to myself

Yes, there is ALWAYS prayer, because God is present with us yesterday, today and forever (oh, another three!).

 

Blessings.

Day #360

December 26, 2014

The day after Christmas. Blah! Or so the world says. It’s all about getting back to normal as quick as possible. Trees begin to disappear, lights come off the roof and bushes, presents get returned and leftovers are devoured.

But wait! In the church we just finished Advent, not Christmas. Christmas is just beginning! What about those twelve days of Christmas – right up until Epiphany (the visit of the Magi celebrated January 6th)? That would make today only the second day of Christmas. 

Think of the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Well, it seems a long time ago someone took the items in the song and applied biblical or Christian themes to the different days (as a help for Confirmation instruction). It goes like this:

• One Partridge = Jesus Christ
• Two Turtle Doves = Old and New Testaments\
• Three French Hens = Three things that remain
• Four Calling Birds = Gospels
• Five Golden Rings = Torah
• Six Geese A-Laying = Days of Creation
• Seven Swans A-Swimming = Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Eight Maids A-Milking = Beatitudes
• Nine Ladies Dancing = Fruits of the Holy Spirit (different than Seven above)
• Ten Lords A-Leaping = Commandments
• Eleven Pipers Piping = Apostles Jesus left to carry on message
• Twelve Drummers Drumming = Points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed

Okay, I thought, I believe I can come up with my own Twelve Days of Christmas – things that apply to The Daily Intersection. So here goes (with the first obviously being Jesus, which cannot be improved upon!):

On the Second Day of Christmas, God gave to me....a ‘double-take’ based on the number of “likes” and “responses” to the Christmas wish I posted on FaceBook. It must have struck a chord with folks, because I was overwhelmed at how many folks liked it or commented. It made for a very Merry Christmas!

Here is what I posted: “Merry Christmas, one and all! Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace!”

Blessings.

Day #359

December 25, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #26 of Photos for the Season

APPEARANCE

Glory to God in the Highest - who made his appearance on earth. Not just an appearance, however, but a dwelling place, an incarnation, a human/divine life, death and resurrection - so that creation might come to more fully know the love of God and be saved through Jesus Christ. Glory to God in the Highest and a very Merry Christmas to all!!!

Blessings.

Day #358

December 24, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #25 of Photos for the Season

NAME

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11, NRSV)

"The name of Jesus charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease" (from Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing). Glory to God in the highest!

Blessings.

Day #357

December 23, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #24 of Photos for the Season

PROPHECY

"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'" (Luke 1:26-33, NRSV)

Blessings.

Day #356

December 22, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #23 of Photos for the Season

JUBILATION

What joy there is in announcing the birth of the Savior! While jubilation is not a word we often use today, happiness, gladness, festivity, and merriment all bring voice to the joy of the angels. It must have been glorious.

What words might describe our announcement of the Good News?

Blessings.

Day #355

December 21, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #22 of Photos for the Season

PEACE

 

This ornament hangs on the tree in the sanctuary. While the dove is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit, it is also a symbol of peace, the two being connected. The Holy Spirit is peace, along with assurance of God's love and mercy, etc.

 

May your final days of this Advent Season be filled with peace!

 

Blessings.

Day #354

December 20, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #21 of Photos for the Season

SING

 

This is the choir rehearsing for the Advent Lessons and Carols worship last Sunday. And SING they did!!! Beautifully and with all their heart!

Blessings.

Day #353

December 19, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #20 of Photos for the Season

COMFORT

 

What demonstrates comfort more appropriately on a cool day than a quilt? This one was made for me by a dear friend as I left for seminary many years ago - with my initials even embroidered in the corner. Wrapping up in it has brought warmth, comfort, peace and remembrances for years - just as being wrapped in God's love through the Light of the World brings comfort and peace in the midst of darkness and doubt.

Blessings.

Day #352

December 18, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #19 of Photos for the Season

FILLED

 

Is your glass half-filled this Advent Season, or half-empty? Or as I once heard, is it always full - just sometimes with water and sometimes with air, but blessed nevertheless!

 

Blessings.

Day #351

December 17, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #18 of Photos for the Season

SPEAK

I must admit, "speak" was the most difficult word to settle upon an illustration. This picture reminds me, however, of words my father used to say to me often: "Engage your brain before you engage your mouth!"

Perhaps the "speak" for Advent would be more appropriately the angel's words to Mary or to the shepherd's about the coming of the Lord, yet the Kingdom of God today might benefit as much from this "THINK" reminder as at any other time.

Blessings.

Day #350

December 16, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #17 of Photos for the Season

VISION

These glasses spend precious little time on the shelf. I need them to see clearly, to read well, to drive safely, for almost everything. How fortunate that I have them and I am thankful for them. But what about other types of vision: seeing the big picture, looking toward the future instead of focusing on the past, watching for ways to share the Good News and help those in need? For those I need other "assists" than glasses: prayer, worship, study, conversation, dreaming, being open to the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God we have those...and I am thankful for them!

Blessings.