12.24.2005
I'm sitting watching midnight mass from the Vatican on TV. Drinking my (imitation) Bailey's and ice. The girl in Rome is reading the same verses I read in church tonight (except in italian). The tree has been stripped bear of its presents and they are strewn about the living room in various piles.Sometimes I think, I only like Christmas on Chritmas Eve. When everything is magical and holy. The consumerism doesn't seem that bad when you recieve your gifts and when others enjoy the gifts you bought for them. Christmas Eve is one of my favorite times at church. Tonight, youth group kids played a saxophone and trombone duet, we sang carols and calypso music and Lance Benson played his quiet music nice and loud. The sermon was missing, being replaced by nine bible readings and a Christmas litany from Ireland. And BUMC tradition was observed with the singing of Silent Night while the lights were dimmed and everyone held a candle.
My favorite verse, which was read this evening:
And the verse I read:John 1:1-3, 14 (The Message)
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it...
14The Word became flesh and lived among us.
Isaiah 9:2-7 (The Message)
And a little Christmas Song from Dave Matthews2The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.For those who lived in a land of deep shadows--
light! sunbursts of light!
...
5The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!6For a child has been born--for us!
the gift of a son--for us!He'll take over
the running of the world.His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.7His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
She was his girl; he was her boyfriend. She be his wife and make him her husband. A surprise on the way, any day: one healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy. The wise men came, three made their way. To shower him with love, while he lay in the hay.
Shower him with love love love. Love is all around.
Not very much of his childhood was known. Kept his mother Mary worried, always out on his own. He met another Mary for a reasonable fee, less than reputable as known to be.
His heart full of love love love. Love love is all around.
When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree, he said "Oh, Daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be. I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene, instead I fear I've spill the blood of my children all around".
The blood of our children all around
So I'm told, so the story goes, the people he knew were less than golden hearted. Gamblers and robbers, drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers.
Like you and me
Rumors insisted he soon would be, for his deviations taken into custody by the authorities less informed than he. Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers. Searching for love love love. Love love is all around
Preparations were made, for his celebration day. He said "eat this bread and think of it as me. Drink this wine and dream it will be the blood of our children all around. Father up above, why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, love, love. Love love's all around. Father up above, why in all this anger do you fill me up with love, fill me love love love. And the blood of our children all around.
12.18.2005
12.16.2005
Grandma Hutchinson died on Thursday night. She was with family and has finally been relieved of her suffering.
She was my favorite grandma, a wonderful pianist (she played by ear), a master gardener, and the most liberal, loyal, yellow dog Democrat I know. The only ill she ever wished on anyone was George Bush, and even him, she just wanted him to go back to Texas and stop messing up her country.
She had a great witt even until her last days. For years she would write and put on holiday shows for the residents at Northview Manor, where she lived with my grandpa.
My foundest memories of her are visiting her and my grandpa at their lake cabin on Kabekona. All the kids and grandkids would sing and dance along with her piano playing after a day of swimming and eating her awesome cooking.
Genesis 3:19
19All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return."
She was my favorite grandma, a wonderful pianist (she played by ear), a master gardener, and the most liberal, loyal, yellow dog Democrat I know. The only ill she ever wished on anyone was George Bush, and even him, she just wanted him to go back to Texas and stop messing up her country.
She had a great witt even until her last days. For years she would write and put on holiday shows for the residents at Northview Manor, where she lived with my grandpa.
My foundest memories of her are visiting her and my grandpa at their lake cabin on Kabekona. All the kids and grandkids would sing and dance along with her piano playing after a day of swimming and eating her awesome cooking.
Genesis 3:19
19All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return."
12.12.2005
12.11.2005
12.09.2005
12.06.2005
It's the second week of advent and the day before the Immaculate Conception, so we are focusing on Mary. She was his girl; he was her boyfriend
She be his wife and make him her husband...
We light the second candle of Advent to celebrate the young girl, Mary, bearing the glory of the Godhead to a waiting world.
Hail Mary, full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.
Amen.
Reminder: 6-7pm (come at 5:30 for dinner) United Methodist Church, 9th St. and Beltrami Ave. All are welcome, because God blessed the whole world, no exceptions.
12.05.2005
I'm so confused and torn. If I'm logical, I wouldn't go back. But, if I'm emotional, I chose otherwise. I feel like my life is a country song. Ack.
He said
Take me back won't ya
I'll change my ways
He said
Take me back won't ya
I'll change my ways
12.04.2005
I've been trying to practice what I preach: slow down, make advent a season of waiting, contemplation, meditation. Instead of hectic chaos and frantic shopping. I'm not succeeding very well. I blame the end of the semester. And if it's not homework, its politics or religion. The latter two I seek out, because I love to do them. It just seems like everything will fit better in my life when this pestering school thing is out of the way.
I am succeeding very well at not buying any presents though:)
I am succeeding very well at not buying any presents though:)
It was a Sunday for Eucharist, which I usually miss. I love the sacraments.
Tradition/ceremony
The Peace
Not an easy peace, not an insignificant peace, not a half-hearted peace, but the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now. May you share it with others.
Hanging of the greens.
I wanted to post about this earlier in the week, but homework and politics and hockey got in the way. Wednesday evening youth group, little kids and parents gathered to eat cookies, make cheesy ornaments and decorate the church. I had a jolly good time making and helping little kids make stuff and chatting with everyone. As Kari said "We have our too-cool, goth-wannabe teenagers making pipe cleaner ornaments. Big kids helping little kids make God Eyes. Adults getting a chance to slow down and chat with other adults. We share a meal and enjoy each others company. It truly is Advent now."
Check out our church's Advent Blog for a little inspiration/meditation.
Tradition/ceremony
Holy holy holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hossanna in the Highest.fused with everyday.
We cannot hear your words of peace and forget the violence in the world. Show us quickly, Lord, how to turn weapons into welcome signs and the lust for power into desire for peace. We cannot celebrate the feast of your family and forget our divisions. We are one in spirit, but not in fact. History and hurt still dismember us. Lord, heal your church in every brokenness.
The Peace
Not an easy peace, not an insignificant peace, not a half-hearted peace, but the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now. May you share it with others.
Hanging of the greens.
I wanted to post about this earlier in the week, but homework and politics and hockey got in the way. Wednesday evening youth group, little kids and parents gathered to eat cookies, make cheesy ornaments and decorate the church. I had a jolly good time making and helping little kids make stuff and chatting with everyone. As Kari said "We have our too-cool, goth-wannabe teenagers making pipe cleaner ornaments. Big kids helping little kids make God Eyes. Adults getting a chance to slow down and chat with other adults. We share a meal and enjoy each others company. It truly is Advent now."
Check out our church's Advent Blog for a little inspiration/meditation.