The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
It has been a day of reflection and preparation
A wonderful afternoon of music and laughter
A meaningful and deep time of worship
Fellowship around the table with family and friends
The shortest day and the longest night
Solstice reflections and blessings
And now, as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you, Lord
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
The Solstice Full Moon was rising in the East as I made my way to church tonight. It had been a day of mixed emotions. In part it was frantic and hurried preparations for family arrivals. In part it was wonderful music with dear friends. Then the drive to church and preparations for the Blue Christmas Service.
As I began the liturgy, my throat caught as I read and led the first prayer. This is the second Christmas without my Mom. This is the first Christmas without my Mother-in-Law.
As we lit candles, remembered, sang, and prayed my mind went back. There have been so many who we have lost in the last year. There have been so many who I have buried in the last three years here. So many friends, classmates, and colleagues to remember as the candles were lit.
Now as I contemplate and pray, I seek the light which shines even in the darkness. As preparations for Sunday worship and Christmas Eve continue, help me, Lord, to seek out and find moments of quiet contemplation.
As Howard Thurman reminds us in his poem, Christmas Returns:
Christmas returns, as it always does, with its assurance that life is good.
It is the time of lift to the spirit,
When the mind feels its way into the commonplace,
And senses the wonder of simple things: an evergreen tree,
Familiar carols, merry laughter.
It is the time of illumination,
When candles burn, and old dreams
Find their youth again.
It is the time of pause,
When forgotten joys come back to mind, and past
dedications renew their claim.
It is the time of harvest for the heart,
When faith reaches out to mantle all high endeavor,
And love whispers its magic word to everything that breathes.
Christmas returns, as it always does, with its assurance that life is good.
May it return in your hearts with the same reminder, dear reader. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A wonderful day in your creation, Lord
Sacred moments simply being still
Your creation does indeed reflect your glory
As preparations continue
For Blue Christmas
For the arrival of family
For Sunday worship
For Christmas Eve worship
May your sense of calm prevail
Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis
Lord, may the perpetual light shine
In your mercy, Lord, hear this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“We are approaching the Winter Solstice, that day when in the northern hemisphere, the womb of darkness has expanded as large as possible.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year- A Self-Study Online Retreat
A beautiful and poignant reminder, Jake!
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
In the midst of the busyness of the season
Be still
In the midst of the preparation
Be still
As I pray for family
Be still
As I walk with friends through the Valley of the Shadows
Be still
As I pray for the nation and world
Be still
In the midst of it all
Be still
For when I take the time to be still
The Spirit brings renewal and strength
Be still and know
For it is in those moments that I find peace
I find the way to continue
I find the way to minister in the midst of it all
I find the way to truly lift this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“Humility reminds us that we have limitations, and we can’t take on everything, which also enables us to commit to something and do it very well. Humility is really a dance between embracing our limits and our giftedness. It means finding humor in our shortcomings and foibles and learning to take ourselves less seriously. But it also means seeing the world through this lens and learning to see things from another perspective.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD Illuminating the Way: Embracing the Wisdom of Monks and Mystics
A sneak peek at Michelle’s new book!
“Hustle!!!” I hear my father’s voice over the clash of shin pads and the scuffle of cleats. “Hustle, Shelly, hustle!!” And I do, I hustle, springing after the soccer ball, challenging defensive opponents twice my size, refusing to flinch when the ball is kicked square at my face….
The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
A busy day with appointments and travel
The Christmas arrivals began this afternoon
Even thought it was below zero in Rocky
There was lots of laughter and a good picture or two
As the firelight flickers and our eyes grow heavy
I lift to you this humble prayer
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
“Over time we may begin to discover that feelings often come in waves. If we stop resisting the intensity of our experience and instead soften into it, we can allow it to move through us. It no longer becomes stuck but is allowed to have its movement, and so the intensity rises and then naturally recedes, often leaving a sense of deeper calm in its wake.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD The Wisdom of the Body: A Contemplative Journey to Wholeness for Women
