Saddle up your Camel

-

Some of you may be getting tired of Christmas Carols, the red and green palette, and white-bearded reindeer racer already. Some of us have been finding ways to wait and watch in eager preparation before we welcome the Christ Child on the first day of Christmas. Then for 12 Christmas Days we keep the party rolling until the the arrival of the Magi from the East. They came to welcome the newborn king, which was more than a little disturbing to the nearby authority who was in the habit of calling himself king. 


There are a variety of estimates of how long the Magi, or wisemen, or three kings traveled, following yonder star to pay homage to the child of Mary. They all agree it was a haul; probably more than 12 days, but it helps us to tell the story this way. Our Magi figureines are already making that journey. Now they are settled near the doors of our church and they will hop from the oblation table to the piano, then to the baptismal font, and finally to the nativity scene set in our altar where they will remind us who the true king of all Creation is. 

Years ago, some of my friends hosted a annual 12th Night party, at which people would bring eastern-inspired foods to share, and at some point three party guests dressed up in sparkling robes and would walk though singing that favored hymn (128 in our Hymnal.) "O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!"

Even if you are worn out by world's version of Christmas, find a way to mark that 12th Night of Christmas on January 5. Read the story of the arrival of the Magi (it comes early in Matthew's Gospel) and how it unsettled powers and principalities. Take is as an opportunity to refocus your homage away from whatever power or principality distracts you so that you can reorient to follow the star to the perfect light. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

plastic: a spiritual perspective

-
Image
Plastic bag in front of Trinity by the Sea On a recent trip to Austin, I was surprised and delighted not to be handed a plastic bag when I checked out of a grocery store. I wasn't buying much, so I was able to carry out my things without remembering to bring in my reusable bags. For some time now, I've gotten in the habit of turning down plastic bags in convenience stores when they try to put my humble bag of sunflower seeds, lonely, in another bag. The plastic grocery bag has become like a handshake at the end of the deal: it seems to make the shopping experience complete. It is such an ingrained habit, that the person behind the cash register sometimes gets a suspicious look when I ask for no bag, as if thinking, "This yahoo is threatening our way of life!" I think about habits a lot, as a Christian of the Episcopal persuasion. Our practices and our experiences in everyday life shape the way we understand our relationship with God, with others, and with ours
Read more

movin' the tide

-
Image
I recently saw a performance by Shinyribs Russell and heard him tell the background story on his song, " Who Built the Moon ." He told a funny story about a conspiracy theorist's idea the moon was built by someone. I like the song for what it is, never mind the conspiracy. That song went through my head again and again this weekend as the Super Moon rose from the gulf horizon, sailed across the sky, and set over the bay. The moon, "hangin' in the sky, shakin' the oceans, and movin' the tide" has long shaped our human lives. It has helped us mark time, it can guide us in our fishing habits, and it inspires artists, musicians, and fireside philosophers. Life looks different in the moonlight. On Sunday morning, as I finished writing my sermon, I took a break to walk outside to see the Super Moon set, and I caught it hanging in the porch of the church. That night, Laura, Eli, and I went to the beach to watch it rise again. Someone told me it's t
Read more
-
Image
For the past three years, I have preached the Gospel Easter Morning including a pop song. The first year it was Widespread Panic's Diner . Last year Prince's I Would Die For You , and this year, the Grateful Dead's Ripple. Music is so inspiring to me, and it is an easy connection to relate to God, Resurrection, and new life through some of my favorite songs, even when they don't use traditional church language. Easter Morning 2023 My earliest impression of the Grateful Dead was as a pre-teen, staying the night at long time friends of my parents and sharing a room with Monroe their son. Earlier in the day Monroe had sent me down a fairly steep hill on his old bike which had no brakes. I managed to stop by veering off the road into the open arms of a magnolia tree. Monroe was so cool. So that night, after having some Neapolitan ice cream we watched MTV. If you remember MTV, you’ll understand how excited he was that a music video of one of his favorite bands, the Grateful
Read more