December 18, 2013
by Paul Allen Blue Christmas – A Reflection on Psalm 42 “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” – Psalm 42 Today’s Psalm of Lamentation could not be better placed in the Lectionary. Just this past Sunday we heard exuberant joy and gladness in the readings: “…the desolate places shall rejoice; Happy are they…; My spirit rejoices…” But…
December 17, 2013
by Steve Olson When I was younger, not quite a teenager but past childhood my grandmother decided I was old enough to cut her lawn. I think it was so that she could give me money without quite spoiling me. She talked to my grandpa, who had been the chief grass cutter until then. I’m not sure how much cajoling she had to do, but one warm sunny day in July, I showed up at…
December 16, 2013
Advent Hymn – Creator of the Stars of Night Text: Latin hymn, 9th cent.; tr. Hymnal 1940, alt. Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light, O Christ, redeemer of us all, we pray you hear us when we call. When this old world drew on toward night, you came; but not in splendor bright, not as a monarch, but the child of Mary, blessed mother mild. At your…