Presby-Musings

Where do I turn to when there's no choice to make? And how do I presume when there's so much at stake? I was so sure of it all - Marcus Mumford It's Christmas Eve.  Perhaps more than most days of the year, today is when many of us come face to face and realize that what we believe to be true- what we desire above all--doesn't mesh with what we see around us.  It's called "cognitive dissonance"-the feeling you get when you are experiencing is exactly opposite to what you believe to be true. For some of us, the feeling is a mere shiver of uneasiness, but for others, it's a full-on, constant shudder that doesn't want to go away.  We know the world isn't as it should be.  Not by a long shot.  And there are not enough cute animal videos on Facebook to improve it. So, we retreat into our traditions, gatherings and exchanging of gifts.  We may even decide to shutter our windows to what's happening "out there," or even within us, for that...

As we journey through the season of Advent, we find ourselves in a unique space of waiting—a time that invites us to pause, reflect, and anticipate the joy of Christmas.  In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook this season's profound lessons, especially the power of hope. The true essence of Advent lies not merely in the countdown to Christmas but in what we cultivate within ourselves while we wait. In George Herbert's evocative poem “The Sacrifice,” he reflects on the tension of our yearning and the divine promises we anticipate. Herbert writes: "Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a way as gives us breath, Such a truth as ends all strife, Such a life as killeth death." These lines urge us to seek a path illuminated by hope and truth. In the context of Advent, they remind us that waiting is not merely about the absence of Christmas but about embracing the journey of preparation and spiritual renewal.  The "way" we walk during this season can rejuve...

As we navigate the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it’s too easy to get lost in the whirlwind of shopping, parties, and relentless expectations.  Everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with advertisements showcasing the latest gadgets and must-have gifts, creating pressure to conform to an increasingly materialistic culture. Yet, Christmas calls us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters — love, generosity, and connection. The Advent season is a powerful reminder that the most valuable gifts aren’t found wrapped under a tree, but in the moments we share with our loved ones. A meaningful Christmas is defined not by the extravagance of our celebrations but by the depth of our relationships and the sincerity of our intentions.  The insightful book  Advent Conspiracy challenges us with a profound declaration: “We want to be people who are committed to a different kind of Christmas.”  This statement encapsulates the essence of the holiday—encour...

As the Advent season comes to a close in these last days before Christmas, it beckons us to embrace an attitude of wonder and joy.  This special time of year, brimming with lights, decorations, and the warmth of community, serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty surrounding us and the joy that can be found in the simplest of moments.  However, as we grow older, the relentless demands of daily life often cloud our sense of wonder, leaving us in a routine that can feel tedious and uninspired. It is in this loss of wonder that our joy can also diminish. Children possess an innate ability to experience wonder—a quality that shines brightly during the Advent season. For them, the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree are not merely decorative but a magical display that transforms their world.  The anticipation of Christmas morning fills their hearts with excitement, turning every day into a countdown filled with potential and surprise. Their laughter and awe remind us tha...

As we journey through the Advent season, we find ourselves in a sacred space characterized by anticipation and reflection, preparing for the joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth.  This time of waiting is not merely about counting down the days; it serves as a powerful reminder that hope is alive—a beacon illuminating our path toward a new and better world. The Advent season invites us to connect with our deepest longings and fears and to seek the hope that the birth of Christ promises. Walter Brueggemann beautifully captures this sentiment in his book, Celebrating Abundance , where he writes:   “We are called to convert our hope into action, to dare to believe in the possibilities of life and abundance.”  This profound statement urges us to recognize that hope is not a passive emotion but an active choice that requires our engagement. As we prepare for Christmas, we are invited to see ourselves as agents of that hope, nurturing it within ourselves and our communities....

As we step further into the season of Advent and closer to Christmas, many of us find that our schedules are beginning to tighten a bit more than usual.  So much so that we might be feeling a wee bit stressed.   I've been feeling the pinch of that tightening as I've juggled work, family responsibilities, and many other things, including holiday gatherings with friends, co-workers, and the like.  As an extroverted introvert, I sometimes feel myself wanting to withdraw even though, on the outside, I seem like I'm outgoing and fully on board with a whole lot of "people-ing." When you add that to the season's stress and the overall uncertainty of the world around us, it becomes easy for me to want to isolate.  But I've learned that if I act on those feelings whenever they arise, I rob myself of opportunities to experience real connections and life-giving moments of shared joy and hope with others.   Sadly, far too many of us choose isolation over community...

As the season of Advent unfolds, we are drawn into a sacred space, a time set apart for reflection, anticipation, and spiritual renewal as we wait for the symbolic arrival of the Christ child and the hope of a new world that comes with it.   We are also drawn into a space where we can experience grace and offer it to others, even when it's difficult. Maybe it's because of the season, and I have started listening to Christmas music unbidden, but lately, I'm more inclined to be more grace-filled than usual.      It's hard to get mad at someone who takes your parking space when Celine Dion's version of "Oh Holy Night" blasts on the car stereo, and only moments before you were singing along with gusto.   It's the kind of thing that can get you thinking about the more profound lessons of Advent.   Advent invites us to prepare our hearts for Christ's coming to celebrate His birth and embody the transformative power of grace in our lives. With its r...

The Advent season is when we often feel a softening in the hard places of our hearts.   This softening of the heart can be triggered by nostalgia, such as hearing a familiar Christmas song, seeing the lights and decorations, or watching a marathon binge of Hallmark Christmas movies. Whatever warms our semi-frozen hearts during this time of year can sometimes lead us closer to letting go of past hurts and bitterness toward others and perhaps even forgiving ourselves, if we let it.    Forgiveness is one of the most profound gifts we can extend to ourselves and others. It can heal wounds, mend relationships, and rejuvenate spirits. As we navigate through life's challenges, the ability to forgive emerges as a powerful tool that can liberate us from the burdens of anger, resentment, and guilt. Bishop Desmond Tutu, a celebrated leader in the fight against apartheid and a passionate advocate for peace and reconciliation, eloquently expresses this sentiment. He once said, "F...

Because I am trying to sell my house, I have to keep it clean and devoid of personality, decor, and pretty much anything else that indicates someone actually lives there.  This means that I did not put up any Christmas decorations for the first time in my adult life.  My house usually resembles one of those Christmas stores in a small town during this time of year, where every square inch is covered in decor.  I love decorating for Christmas.  I have a rather large Christmas village, three Christmas trees, wreaths, decorative lights, kitchenware, bathroom decor, you name it.   It brings me a lot of joy to do this, even though it's probably tacky.  But not this year. I've got to sell this house, and to sell it, it needs to look like a blank canvas upon which some buyer will feel they can paint their own portrait or something like that.  It's taken some of the season's joy away from me, though, which has got me reflecting on just how powerful joy tr...

I've been more immersed in this Advent season than I have in previous Advent seasons. The main reason for this is that I am in a season of waiting and uncertainty in many areas of my life that have really tested my faith.  Finding peace in the middle of challenging times is not an action limited to Advent by any means, but for some reason, I feel the longing for peace more intently, and I've been thinking a bit more deeply about what that means.   Advent is a sacred opportunity for reflection, anticipation, and transformation. As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, we are reminded of the profound significance of peace—both in our external world and within our own hearts.  Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, the chaos of current events, and the challenges we face, Advent invites us to slow down and cultivate inner tranquility that can radiate outwardly to those around us. Ann Swindell writes in her book,  The Path To Peace:  “Peace is not ju...

Today is the Second Sunday of the season of Advent, and it's also the second installment of the sermon series Emmanuel: God With Us.  The idea behind this series is pretty simple.  We remember well what we value well.  And right about now, what we need to remember well is so life-giving, so full of hope...  and this is that something:  Because of Jesus, we know that God is with us.   Today, we are going to explore one very important idea:  GOD IS WITH US TO MAKE A WAY FOR EVERYONE But first---let me go off on a tangent for a moment.   I once read about a trend that was gaining some traction in our culture for a time —it's not a huge, widespread movement by any means, but it's still out there, still happening. It's called sologamy or same-self marriage. Nadine Schweigert, a thirty-six-year-old woman from Fargo, North Dakota, was interviewed by Anderson Cooper after marrying herself in front of forty of her closest friends. “I, Nadine,” sh...

Yesterday, as I was meeting with my life coach, I complained a bit about how much of what I'm dealing with right now in terms of my circumstances is outside my control, and I do not like that one bit.  I'm having to be patient as I wait for my house to sell.  I have to trust that everything will fall into place in so many other aspects of my life.   My life coach slyly said, "You're the one who is trained theologically, so maybe you can tell me a bit about how this time in your life might be connected to the season of Advent."  I thought, "How dare you make me think theologically about this?! I want to have a pity party!"  But I knew that there was something there.  Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation, and I can't help but think it's not a coincidence I'm waiting during a season of waiting.   In a world constantly pulling us in different directions, surrendering our desired outcomes can feel counterintuitive. We often cling tightly t...

As we move through the sacred season of Advent, we embark on a profound journey of reflection and anticipation.  This season is not just a countdown to Christmas; it is an invitation to engage with the deep hope that accompanies our waiting for the arrival of the Messiah.  Advent symbolically draws our attention to the darkness in our lives and the world around us while simultaneously inviting us to look toward the light promised with Christ’s birth.  In a world often plagued by turmoil, uncertainty, and despair, the Advent season provides a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and rekindle our hearts with hope.  Richard Rohr poignantly remarks, “The heart of Advent is dark, and we are called to awaken to the darkness that is within and around us.”   This darkness represents our struggles—personal challenges, societal injustices, and global conflicts—that can overshadow our hope. However, Rohr’s words remind us that acknowledging this darkness is vital to trans...

I have been navigating the whole idea of buying Christmas presents differently this year. Because of my current circumstances, I'm working with a tighter budget, so I've had to be more creative.   I also don't just want to buy gift cards for my loved ones, even though I'm sure that would be an easier way out than trying to figure out the "perfect" gifts for all of them. If this describes how you are feeling right now, know that you are not alone.   We all know the drill.  As the holiday season approaches, there’s a palpable shift in the atmosphere. The spirit of generosity fills the air, and we are all reminded to open our hearts and wallets a little wider.  Yet, while the season of giving brings joy and goodwill, it’s crucial to remember that living generously is not merely a fleeting trend. It’s a profound lifestyle that can transform not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can facilitate heartfelt c...

I'm not a huge fan of having to wait for things.   I'm currently waiting for my house to sell, so I constantly have to ensure it's ready to be shown to prospective buyers while living in it.  I'm surrounded by reminders that I am in a waiting space, and it's not always pleasant.  I'm becoming more fully aware of the coincidence that I'm in a season of life where I am living in expectation while also journeying through the Season of Advent.   Advent reminds us that amidst the unfolding calendar of our lives lies the divine invitation to embrace hope and joy while awaiting a new and better world. Advent teaches us to lean into the beauty of liminal spaces—those in-between moments that invite us to pause, reflect, and grow. Liminal spaces are often marked by uncertainty and discomfort, yet they are essential for transformation.  In her book  Learning To Love The Spaces In Between , Claire Gillman  writes about these transitional periods, encoura...