Advent, Day Seven of the Christmas Season
Every time I try to meditate on a sacred event such as this [the Presentation at the Temple], I find myself tempted to think about it in an intellectual way. But today I realized more strongly than ever before that I simply have to be there. I have to travel with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem, walk with them on the busy temple square, join the thousands of simple people in offering their simple gifts...and listen to two unknown old people who have something to say, something that sounds very strange and even frightening. Why do we want more?... But the story is so simple, so crystal clear, so unpretentious. I do not have to do anything with it. I do not have to explain or examine these events. I simply have to step into them and allow them to surround me.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 128
Scripture:
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved
by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought
in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:22, 25-32
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Advent, Day Six of the Christmas Season
Advent, Day Six of the Christmas Season
Becoming a child [of God] is living the Beatitudes and so finding the narrow gate into the Kingdom... Isn't the little child poor, gentle, and pure of heart? Isn't the little child the peacemaker hungry and thirsty for uprightness and the final victim of persecution? And what of Jesus himself, the Word of God who became flesh, dwelt for nine months in Mary's womb, and came into this world as a little child worshipped by shepherds from close by and by wisemen from far away? The eternal Son became a child so that I might become a child again and so reenter with him into the Kingdom of the Father.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, pg 54-55
Scripture:
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.Luke 6:20-21
===
Becoming a child [of God] is living the Beatitudes and so finding the narrow gate into the Kingdom... Isn't the little child poor, gentle, and pure of heart? Isn't the little child the peacemaker hungry and thirsty for uprightness and the final victim of persecution? And what of Jesus himself, the Word of God who became flesh, dwelt for nine months in Mary's womb, and came into this world as a little child worshipped by shepherds from close by and by wisemen from far away? The eternal Son became a child so that I might become a child again and so reenter with him into the Kingdom of the Father.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, pg 54-55
Scripture:
20 Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.Luke 6:20-21
===
Monday, December 29, 2025
Advent, Day Five of the Christmas Season
Advent, Day Five of the Christmas Season
True ministry goes far beyond the giving of gifts. It requires the giving of self. That is the way of him who did not cling to his privileges, but emptied himself to share our struggles. When God's way becomes known to us, and practiced by us, hope emerges...
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 85
Scripture:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
True ministry goes far beyond the giving of gifts. It requires the giving of self. That is the way of him who did not cling to his privileges, but emptied himself to share our struggles. When God's way becomes known to us, and practiced by us, hope emerges...
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Gracias! A Latin American Journal, pg 85
Scripture:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Advent, Day Four of Christmas Season
Advent, Day Four of Christmas Season
A friend once wrote: "Learning to weep, learning to keep vigil, learning to wait for the dawn. Perhaps this is what it means to be human." It is hard to really believe this because we constantly find ourselves clinging to people, books, events, experiences, projects and plans, secretly hoping that this time it will be different... The few times, however, that we do obey our severe masters and listen carefully to our restless hearts, we may start to sense that in the midst of our sadness, there is joy, that in the midst of our fears there is peace, that in the midst of our greediness there is the possibility of compassion.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 24
Scripture:
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12
====
Book of Common Prayer
A friend once wrote: "Learning to weep, learning to keep vigil, learning to wait for the dawn. Perhaps this is what it means to be human." It is hard to really believe this because we constantly find ourselves clinging to people, books, events, experiences, projects and plans, secretly hoping that this time it will be different... The few times, however, that we do obey our severe masters and listen carefully to our restless hearts, we may start to sense that in the midst of our sadness, there is joy, that in the midst of our fears there is peace, that in the midst of our greediness there is the possibility of compassion.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 24
Scripture:
4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12
====
Book of Common Prayer
The
Collect.
ALMIGHTY
God, who hast given us thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him,
and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we being regenerate,
and made thy children by adoption and grace. may daily be renewed by thy
Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth
with thee and the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
NOW
I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from
a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors
until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children,
were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness
of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive
time adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the
Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou
art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an. heir of God through
Christ. Galatians 4:1-
THE
birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused
to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the
Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing
to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But
while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying. Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take
unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, arid thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for lie shall save his people from their sins. Now all this
was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring
forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted
is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel
of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not
till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew1:18-
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Advent, Day Three of the Christmas Season
Advent, Day Three of the Christmas Season
It is not we who pray, but the Spirit of God who prays in us... When our hearts belong to God, the world and its powers cannot steal it from us. When God has become the Lord of our heart, our basic alienation is overcome...
When God has become our shepherd, our refuge, our fortress, when we can reach out to him in the midst of a broken world, and feel at home while still on the way. When God swells in us, we can enter in a wordless dialogue with him while still waiting on the day that he will lead us into the house where he has prepared a place for us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 106
Scripture:
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7
It is not we who pray, but the Spirit of God who prays in us... When our hearts belong to God, the world and its powers cannot steal it from us. When God has become the Lord of our heart, our basic alienation is overcome...
When God has become our shepherd, our refuge, our fortress, when we can reach out to him in the midst of a broken world, and feel at home while still on the way. When God swells in us, we can enter in a wordless dialogue with him while still waiting on the day that he will lead us into the house where he has prepared a place for us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
Reaching out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, pg 106
Scripture:
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7
Friday, December 26, 2025
Advent, Day Two of the Christmas Season
Advent, Day Two of the Christmas Season
There is a much more human option to reevaluate the past as a continuing challenge to surrender ourselves to an unknown future. It is the option to understand our experience of powerlessness as an experience of being guided, even when we do not know exactly where... We can see that a growing surrender to the unknown is a sign of spiritual maturity and does not take away autonomy. Death [of a loved one] is indeed an invitation to surrender ourselves more freely to the future, in the conviction that one of the most important parts of our lives may still be ahead of us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
A Letter of Consolation, pg 51-52
Scripture:
18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”. John 21:18
There is a much more human option to reevaluate the past as a continuing challenge to surrender ourselves to an unknown future. It is the option to understand our experience of powerlessness as an experience of being guided, even when we do not know exactly where... We can see that a growing surrender to the unknown is a sign of spiritual maturity and does not take away autonomy. Death [of a loved one] is indeed an invitation to surrender ourselves more freely to the future, in the conviction that one of the most important parts of our lives may still be ahead of us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
A Letter of Consolation, pg 51-52
Scripture:
18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”. John 21:18
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Advent, Day One of the Christmas Season
Advent, Day One of the Christmas Season
The conviction that Francis Avenue, on which Harvard Divinity School stands was named after St. Francis... I must have suppressed my inclination to verify this conviction out of fear of being robbed of another illusion...
Names tell stories, most of all the names which is above all other names, the name of Jesus. In his name I am called to live. His name has to become my house, my dwelling place, my refuge, my ark. His name has to start telling the story of being born, growing up, growing old and dying--revealing a God who loved us so much that he sent his only child to us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journal, pg 60
Scripture:
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. Luke 21:15-18
===
The conviction that Francis Avenue, on which Harvard Divinity School stands was named after St. Francis... I must have suppressed my inclination to verify this conviction out of fear of being robbed of another illusion...
Names tell stories, most of all the names which is above all other names, the name of Jesus. In his name I am called to live. His name has to become my house, my dwelling place, my refuge, my ark. His name has to start telling the story of being born, growing up, growing old and dying--revealing a God who loved us so much that he sent his only child to us.
Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journal, pg 60
Scripture:
15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. Luke 21:15-18
===
Prayer
A Prayer for Christmas Morning
Every person who takes breath throughout the earth is invited to pause and celebrate You, Jesus, God’s Son incarnate. You left your throne in heaven and chose to come to earth and take on human form. You set aside your limitless magnificence and chose to live the life of a servant.
Yet, You were not just any servant – You chose to serve sinful people in need of a Savior. You humbled yourself entirely, obeyed God completely, and allowed Yourself to die for the sins of all people – for my sins – so that I could now enter the heavenly home that you left. Breathtaking! Thank you, Jesus.
Help me this morning, and all throughout the day, to embrace the amazing love You have for me. I will quiet my heart and mind before You to think about that love. You demonstrated Your love by being born in a humble stable, living a sinless life and offering Yourself as the perfect sacrifice.
What a gift You have given to me, to my loved ones, to the world! Jesus, You are my gift this Christmas morning. Help me to focus on Your gift of love more than anything else I might receive today. Help me to remind my family, my friends, and all with whom I will be celebrating that this day, Christmas day, is a gift of love like no other.
My heart celebrates the gift of You this morning.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23
Scripture
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)