Is Christmas only a tree? by Fr. Bryan Wolf

Liturgically, we are still in the Christmas season. The Epiphany is approaching. Traditionally, these twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany known as The Twelve Days of Christmas.  Yep, that’s where the song comes from!   Christ was born on blessed Christmas Eve and the radiant star was born above Bethlehem.  It was once believed that it took twelve days from the appearance of the star, for the Magi to make their way to Bethlehem. Hence, the “twelve days of Christmas” and the celebration of the Epiphany.

I propose herewith, an interesting observation.  We have not even celebrated the New Year  and already I see many who have discarded their Christmas trees outside.  I have seen neighbors take down Christmas lights from their homes and remove decorative wreaths from their front doors.  I am bewildered.  Is Christmas over?  Then again, is Christmas only a tree?

I know every year I do hear those who complain that Christmas seems to begin earlier.  My husband employed in retail, serves evidence of this as the Christmas music in his store begins right after Halloween.  Indeed, the store decorations and stock of holiday items march in at the same time.  But one cannot deny, there begins a hint of anticipation in the air.  As Christmas draws closer, it builds- like an overture.

People being to decorate. Christmas trees pop up. Santa rides into town on his sleigh at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. The world becomes joyful. Those who are first, and perhaps foremost, in the decorating frenzy- echo the same sentiment, I needed a little Christmas!  Just like the lyrics of that popular song from Mame- “I need a little Christmas, right this very minute…”

It is indeed theraputic. Christmas. Christ. Does any other season offer the possibility of hope and peace, as Christmas?  We cannot deny that images and thoughts of Christ heal us.  More at this time of year then any other, except perhaps Easter.  But Christmas builds like the aforementioned overture. Musically all around us- in both audible and visual stimulation. Like a giant celebration played out to cheer the heart and kindle the spirit within.  Why then, do we let is go so quickly?

We have ridden the wave of anticipation and excitement for many weeks. Christmas is coming!  Its promise and its joy.  How can we be content to let it slip from us for another year?  Hide it in a box? Watch it wilt at the curbside?

In 1955 Bing Crosby recorded a lesser known Christmas carol, Is Christmas only a tree?  Perhaps this is the answer.  “Is Christmas only a tree? Just falling snow and candle glow and mistletoe?  Frosted air, angel hair and Christmas carols everywhere?  Is Christmas only a tree?  I seem to see beyond the tree, to where the angels sing.  Hosanna ring to heaven’s king and my heart is answering.  Is Christmas only a tree?  The answer is from long ago, for whever there is a Christmas tree, my heart will know.”

But those visual affirmations can help. They serve to keep the spirit of Christmas- the promise of Christmas- of Christ, alive and present. So let us not be to quick to take down the Christmas tree.  There are those of us who find our personal spirit dampened at the departure of the season. How can we keep the joy of Christmas in our hearts year ’round?

Just by remembering the JOY of the Christmas season, with this easy formula-  JOY.  J is for Jesus, O is for Others and Y is for Yourself.  If you keep Jesus and Others before Yourself… you will have JOY.   And holding onto that Christmas tree a little longer may help too. Either way though, pray never to loose the Christmas spirit!

The Gifts of the Magi~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

“We three kings of the Orient are, bearing gifts as we travel so far…”

Glorious Christmas Greetings! We are now indeed within the wonder of the Church’s Christmas season. Commonly referred as “the twelve days of Christmas”, the time from Christmas Day until the Epiphany.  It is thought that this was the period of time it took the Magi- the three kings (sometimes also called the three wise men), once observing the star proclaiming Jesus’ birth to travel to Bethlehem.

The story of the Magi, told in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2- tells how these three traveled from the east toward Jerusalem following the star.  When King Herod had learned that these noble men were nearby, seeking “the one who has been born King of the Jews”  ( Matthew 2:2 ), he summoned them under the full pretense of wanting to worship Jesus too. ( He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me so that I may go and worship him too.'”  ( Matthew 2:8 )  Ultimately we know is was Herod’s murderous intent to kill Jesus and thus secure his throne.  When the Magi did not return to him (… having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod… ( Matthew 2:12 ))  Herod furious, ordered the slaughter of all infant boys in Bethlehem under the age of two ( Matthew 2:16).  ( We remember this sad day and recall the untimely loss of all children of the Day of the Holy Innocent’s December 28th.)

But what else do we know about the Magi, and what their knowledge has to to do with the meaning of Christmas?

We know they were kings from the east.  East of Judea.  A father of the Church, Origen of Alexandria records much significance of them in his work ‘Contra Celsum’ written in 248AD.  He identifies them as Gaspar, King of India and Melchior, King of Persia and Balthazar, King of Arabia.  Perhaps this is what frightened Herod, that three wise men of such position and influence would have the knowledge of birth of a new king and- more alarming to Herod, that these three kings felt an obligation to worship this new king!

The gifts presented by the three kings as they knelt before the Christ child, is even more foretelling and…. foreboding.

Gold is presented.  It is befitting because the baby Jesus was born a king.  King of the Jews.  In the time of Jesus’ birth, only kings and the very rich and powerful- could afford to posses gold.  Let alone to give it as a gift. But in doing so, the kings observe this small infant wrapped simply in swaddling blankets- as a king.  Equal to their own station.

“Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold we bring to crown him again. King forever, ceasing never. Over us all to reign.” ( We Three Kings. by Rev. John Hopkins Jr. (c) 1863 )

Then, to elevate and proclaim Jesus’ majesty and deity- they offer to the Christ child the gift of Frankincense. An aromatic resin tapped from the sap of Boswellia tree, or more accurately- shrubs.  It had two purposes. First as a rare find and flowering plant, its sap was used in perfume of the rich and well to do.  Significant of its expense and rarity, Frankincense was also burned in temples to uplift prayers to God.  To present this rare fragrant spice to the baby Jesus, signified- “we know of your divinity.”

“Frankincense to offer have I.  Incense owns a Deity high. Prayers and praising, all men raising- worship Him, God on high.” ( We Three Kings. )

Lastly and perhaps most profoundly and subtlely, Jesus was presented Myrrh.  Another aromatic resin, this is taken from the Commoiphora tree- a small thorny and prickly plant.  Its sap was known to harden quickly and be glossy, so it was often used for the embalming of the wealthy deceased in those times.  What a strange gift to give to a newborn child- Myrrh.  What influence or insight had the Magi known?  They knew to travel far from the east to seek the child born a king under the star.  They foretold of his divinity.  What did they know of the future plans and sacrifice of this child?

“Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume.  Breathes a life of gathering gloom.  Sorrow, sighing, bleeding, dying.  Sealed in the stone cold tomb.” ( We Three Kings. )

All we can know now, as we ourselves march toward the Epiphany- when the glory of knowledge of the Christ child is proclaimed- is what the Magi knew then.  We seek to find Christ.  There is born a Messiah.  A savior who is our hope and our salvation.  It is in him- and through him, that we will find all that is good and necessary.  Christ teaches us how to live and how to love.  His lessons and words are as valuable today as they were when He first spoke them. Perhaps that is why it is said- wise men still seek him.

“Glorious now behold him arise- King and God and Sacrifice. Alleluia. Alleluia. Sing His praise to the skies! ” ( We Three Kings. )

“Star of wonder, star of night. Star with a royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding. Guide us to Thy perfect Light.”  ( We Three Kings. )

May you and yours enjoy a blessed New Year.  Let us go forth in the love and peace of Christ, to seek Christ. As wise men still do.

I Heard the Bells~ by Fr. Bryan Wolf

“I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat- of peace on earth, good will to men!”

We awoke this morning and the world was different. Magical. Joyous. Something special in the air. The sounds of church bells. The sounds of children’s laughter, family chatter and holiday greetings from just about everyone! It is Christmas Day!

There is no other day like Christmas Day. As far back as our childhood memories can take us, Christmas Day is special. A gathering of family and friends. Toys and gifts scattered about hidden beneath mountains of wrapping paper. Smells of pine from the tree mix with tempting smells from the oven. And Christmas carols, everywhere- on the radio and television and overflowing from Church. They sing from my lips, dance in my ears and rejoice in my heart! Wonderful familiar tunes, bringing back more memories of youth and loved ones departed.

“I thought as how, this day had come, the belfries of all Christendom- had rolled along the unbroken song- of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Christmas Day! The birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord! Not just in my home or town, but everywhere. Everywhere! Across the globe, in whatever time zone- Christians- “all of Christendom” are like me, celebrating Christmas. The magic and wonder is everywhere. That childish joy and anticipation of the day is everywhere. And everywhere Christians are recalling how the birth of Christ has changed the world. How Christ offers us hope and renewal. How Christ came to live among us, be with us and love us. How Christ came to teach us lessons for life and give us His promise for everlasting life.  All of this possible- all of this promise, from that wondrous birth in the manger at Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago!

“And in despair I bowed my head, there is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Wait, the joy of Christmas? Wars continue. The Middle East, as it has been for decades, is a mess. North Korea and Iran keep popping up into the news threatening the nightmare of nuclear weapons. I also cannot escape the television news coverage of senseless shootings- in our schools, communities and college campuses. I was a police officer for thirty years- I do not understand this violence.

Violence, that word alone is all that is needed to shatter my Christmas joy. Wandering gangs of youth now play a mindless game of hitting strangers to see if they can knock them out with one punch.  I do not understand. A homeless man in Hoboken NJ was recently killed this way.

Homeless, there too another word- another issue to intrude its reality into the joy of my Christmas. There is no media coverage here. Thousands spend this Christmas without homes, hot meals or the simplest comfort.  How can I go around singing about joy, peace and good will?  It is almost as if I can hear Satan himself laughing in ridicule- “for hate is strong and mocks the song…”  “Celebrate the birth of your Messiah”  Satan rebukes me, “you have learned nothing from him.”  In despair I bow my head. Where is my compassion? Where is my love? Who is my neighbor? How can I help him?

“Then pealed the bless more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail- with peace on earth, good will to men!”

Wait, get thee behind me Satan- God is not dead! God lives! God is here with me- with us now! We are the instruments of His work. It is we who must accomplish Christ’s acts of mercy. It is we who must clothe the naked, feed the hungry and give drink to those who are thirsty- both literally and spiritually. It is we who must pray for and call for, peace. It is we who must demand equality and accountability. God demands these things. God requires us intercede.

So this is the joy of Christmas. I can see Jesus smiling down upon me. He tasks me not to forget the broken of spirit. He invites me to reach out to them- the lost, the lonely, the addicted, the distraught.  Share with them the Good News! That is what His Gospel means, good news! Be not weary or poor of spirit- the angel brings “good news which shall be for all people. That today is born in the town of David, a Savior- he is the Messiah, Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:10-11)

So I wish to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ- the most joyous and blessed Christmas Day!  God is not dead, nor does He sleep. He lives with us and through us. Let us go forth from today and into the New Year- with His greatest Christmas gift to us- the Good News which shall be for all people– Christ is born! Christ lives! Christ loves!

…. and on earth, peace and good will to men.  Amen.

O Holy Night

Luke 2 (kjv)

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The Order of Preachers Old Catholic wishes a very blessed Christmas.  Amen.

Blessed Margaret of Savoy, Widow, OP

Margaret of Savoy, daughter of Duke Amadeo II, is one of three royal princesses who wore the Dominican habit and were beatified. In the 15th century, she was the glory of a family that has given several beati to the Church.

Born into the royal house of Savoy, Margaret grew up in a household in which piety and wealth were ordinary. Her own parents died when she was small, and she was educated by an uncle, who arranged an early marriage for her to the Marquis of Montferrat, Theodore Paleologus.

As queen of her fairly large domain, Margaret was the model of Christian rulers. She felt that it was her duty to exceed in charity and humility in the proportion that she was wealthier than those around her, and she devoted all of her time to God and to her neighbors. Her husband was a widower with two children, to whom she gave the greatest care. The hundreds of dependents on the large estates came to her for charity and instruction.

Disaster stuck Savoy several times in the years when she was wife and mother. Famine and plague came, making great demands on her time and her courage. Unhesitatingly, she went out to nurse the plague-stricken with her own hands, and she sent out food and clothing from her husband’s stores until it was doubtful if anything would be left. After this crisis passed, war hovered over the kingdom, and she prayed earnestly that they would be delivered from the horrors of invasion.

In 1418, the marquis died. His young widow was one of the most eligible women in Europe. Margaret sorrowed for her husband, but she made it clear to her relatives that they need not plan another marriage for her, as she was going to enter a convent. In order to live a life of complete renunciation, she decided to found a convent of her own at Alba in Liguria that would follow the ancient rule of Saint Dominic. Accordingly, she took over a cloister which had fallen into ruin, having only a few poor inhabitants, and rebuilt it for Dominican use. She dedicated the house to St. Mary Magdalen.

There is one very delightful story told of her sojourn in the convent. When she had been there many years, she one day had a young visitor; he was the son of one of her step-children. Hunting nearby, he had killed a doe, and he brought her the motherless fawn to tend. It was a pretty little animal, and it soon grew to be a pet. One legend was that the fawn was able to go and find any sister she would name, and, for several years, the animal had free rein of the halls and cells of the sisters. Perhaps it was true, though, since the house confessor told her that the deer must go. She took it to the gate and told it to go. It fled into the forest, and returned only when Margaret was about to die.

Margaret attained a high degree of contemplative prayer. One time Our Lord appeared to her and asked her whether she would rather suffer calumny, sickness, or persecution. Margaret generously accepted all three. Her offer was taken, and for the remaining years of her life she suffered intensely from all three sorrows (Dorcy). It should be noted that Saint Vincent Ferrer influenced Margaret to join the Dominican tertiaries (Benedictines).

Mary Had a Little Lamb

In our childhoods, most of us learned the little song entitled, “Mary Had A Little Lamb.” It went something like this,

“Mary had a little lamb.

Its fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went.

That lamb was sure to go.”

As we sang that song while we were children, we had no idea that something like that had actually happened. It never dawned on our childish minds that the Bible told the same story. That a young girl named Mary did indeed have a little Lamb.

Matthew 1:18-25
“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”  When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;”

Well, that’s what is happening in these verses in Matthew. It seems that Joseph is engaged to a young maiden named Mary. They were betrothed, which means that they were legally married, but were not yet living together. During this time, word comes to Joseph that Mary is pregnant. Joseph knows that he isn’t the father, but he is sure someone is! He believes that Mary has been unfaithful to him and he decides to get a divorce. Yet, because he loves Mary, he wants to do this thing quietly because the penalty for committing Mary’s crime was death by stoning. However, before he can put his plan into action, God sends an angel to tell Joseph that things aren’t at all like he thinks they are. He tells Mary’s husband that she is carrying a child that was miraculously fathered by the Holy Spirit of God. He is told that this child will be a special child with a special mission. That, in fact, this child is to be the Savior.

Joseph’s reaction is to take Mary into his home and wait with her until the day the baby is born. What they didn’t realize is that this baby, who was growing in Mary’s body was none other than the Lamb of God who would one day die for the sins of all men. Verse 25 tells us that Mary eventually delivered this child. When she did, the Lamb of God was born. In one of the greatest stories in all of Scripture, we learn the truth that Mary Had A Little Lamb. It is that Lamb, that special baby boy, that saves us all.

But what makes this little child, this Lamb so special:

1. Jesus Christ had no human father! His Father is God Himself! What makes the conception of the Lord Jesus so fantastic is the fact that He was born to a virgin! Now we all know the traditional method by which babies are conceived and brought into this world. However, the conception of Jesus was different! His mother was a virgin.

2. From the day Jesus came into this world until the day He ascended back into Heaven, He was a very special person indeed!  He could feed multitudes, open blinded eyes, heal the sick and even raise the dead. Walking on water posed no problem for the Lord Jesus, neither did stilling a violent storm. Everything He did marked Him as being special. These activities were merely proof that He was indeed who He claimed to be.

3. Jesus was never shy about telling people who He was. Jesus claimed that He was the Son of God in Heaven. All the people supposed Him to be the son of Joseph, Mark 6:3. However, Jesus claimed a special relationship with the Father in Heaven. It was these very claims that ultimately lead to His death, and resurrction.

As we can see, Mary’s little Lamb came into this world for one purpose. It was not to walk on water, it was not to heal sick folks, it was not to open blinded eyes, it was not to calm storms. Jesus came for the sole purpose of dying! He was a special Lamb, because He came to be a sacrificial Lamb. You see, Jesus came to die for the sins of humanity. Luke tells us that His mission in this world was “to seek and to save that which was lost“, Luke 19:10. If He was going to accomplish this, then a price had to be paid, and He paid that price when He went to the cross and died for our sins.

If the story ended here, with Jesus dead on a cross, this would be a sad story to tell. There would be no reason to celebrate Christmas and no need to come to church. There would be no salivation and no hope for our souls. If He died and that was the end of Him, that would be the end of us as well. But, thank God, the story doesn’t end there! Three days after Jesus died on that cross, He emerged, alive and well, from the tomb, Matt. 28:1-6.

In conclusion, when you think about Christmas this year, rushing around trying to buy that last minute gift, or attend yet another boring office party, try to keep things in perspective. Christmas is about that special day when God sent His Son into the world to be the sacrifice for our sins. Christmas is about more than presents, brightly-lit Christmsas trees, endless parties, and long to-do lists. Its about us all stopping for a moment, and asking ourselves-Yes, Mary had a little Lamb, do you?

Christmas Recipes, Life’s Recipe

Christmas is coming! Christmas is the centre of our Christian lives and is very important to us as we celebrate together the birth on Earth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born to give us salvation. Part of these wonderful and joyous celebrations is Christmas cooking and baking. Cookies!  Cakes!  Fudge!  Pies!  Remember the beautiful aroma of Grandma baking for Christmas in the kitchen? The heart-warming aroma of mince pies fresh from the oven, that wafted around all the rooms giving everywhere that very homely feeling?  Or the freshly baked cookies or just roasted and mouth watering turkey?  These delectable foods turned out so well because Grandma knew what she was dong, and she followed her recipes to the letter.

Let me tell you about when my father used to do his baking.  My poor father was not much of a cook.  He would pour all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, only guessing how much of each ingredient should be used for the correct mixture, because he thought it was much easier and quicker than studying the recipe requirements first. There were a couple of times when his baking turned out to be edible, however on the majority of occasions he’d plainly not been anywhere near correct. NOT GOOD!  On one of these occasions, he had been making pastry for a mince pie. The pastry crust was so hard that when he threw it in temper because it had tuned out badly, the crust hit the window and smashed it!  He used this same slap dash method when doing any baking whether pies, cookies, or even roasting turkey for Christmas Day dinner.

If we think about these examples, we can see that the ingredients for the correct turnout of the pastry, and other things, had been there for him if only he had studied, understood and followed the recipe, as it had been written down in the cookery book, therefore ensuring his Christmas mince pies would’ve tasted delicious.. When it comes to having true faith and Trust in our Lord Jesus and the correct recipe by which we should live our lives, do we as read, understand, and follow the guidance he has set out for us?  Or do we merely guess because we think we know better?  Or worse still, feel that it does not matter about doing it the correct way? It is easy to read the Holy word of God, but are we actually following all of his guidance in all areas of our lives?

There have been many times that man has rebelled against God, not followed God’s recipe.  Let us look at the example of Jonah….

Jonah rebelled against God, he was rather foolish and selfish. He mistakenly thought that he could, in fact,  run away from God. He ignored what God was asking of him and decided he wanted to follow his own desires instead. Jonah had, and indulged in, prejudice against the people of Nineveh, Israel’s greatest enemy.  When it came to the fate of the Ninevites, Jonah decided that it was he, not God, who knew best.  Not until Jonah had been thrown overboard a ship, nearly drowned, and had been swallowed by a whale, and remained inside its stomach for a full three days, did  the reluctant Jonah finally recognised the power of God and to repented and to thanked God for his life. Eventually Jonah,  even though he had resented it, did his duty, followed God’s recipe, and delivered God’s message to Nineveh with skill and accuracy.

While it may appear that we can run or hide from God, we’re only fooling ourselves.  While it may appear that our recipes are better than Gods, our pastry crust will be hard and our turkeys inedible.  We have a duty to God and to carry it out to the best of our ability.

God is in control of things, not us. When we choose to disobey him, we should expect bad consequences God sets the agenda and timetable. Our job is to follow his instructions, to follow his recipes.  Amen!

 

Blessed Sebastian Maggi

Sebastian Maggi lived in a colorful and troubled age, the time of Savonarola; he was, in fact, a friend of the friar of Ferrara and always staunchly defended him.

Sebastian entered the Dominican Order as Brescia as soon as he was old enough. His early years were remarkable only for his devotion to the rule, for the purity of his life, and the zeal with which he enforced religious observance. He was superior of several houses of the order, and finally was made vicar of the reformed congregation of Lombardy, which made him the superior of Jerome Savonarola, the dynamic reformer around whom such a tragic storm was brewing.

Perhaps, if Sebastian Maggi had lived, he might have saved Savonarola from the political entanglements that sent him to his death. Sebastian was his confessor for a long time, and always testified in his favor when anyone attacked the reformer’s personal life. It is hard to say just where he stood politically in the long and complex series of events concerning the separation of Lombard province from the province of Italy. But all that has been written of him conveys the same impression: he was a kind and just superior, who kept the rule with rigid care, but was prudent in exacting it of others.

Several times Sebastian Maggi was sent on missions of reform, and he died on one of these. On his way to a convent for visitation, he became ill at Genoa and died there in 1496. His body is incorrupt at the present time (1963) (Benedictines, Dorcy).

Born: 1414 at Brescia, Italy

Died: 1496 at Genoa, Italy of natural causes; body was still incorrupt in 1963

Beatified: April 15,1760 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmed)

Waiting With Patience ~ The Very Rev. Lady S.T. Sherwood

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

December 15, 2013

Based on: James 5:7-10

5:7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.  5:8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.  5:9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!  5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

All of God’s children who dearly love, serve and obey the Heavenly Father yearn so much in their hearts for his return in Glory. The time IS coming.  He WILL return with all of his heavenly hosts in a blaze of Glory, but it will be at a time not when we  feel it to be the correct time, but when God our eternal and ever loving Father, who knows everything well before our birth decides the time is right. Sometimes we as humans want everything in a rush, and in this day and age especially, we tend to live our lives in one huge hurry.  We forget that all the plans for the Lord’s return were laid even before our creation. We have to learn to be patient, and learn to wait quietly, just as the farmer has to wait patiently for his crops to grow and ripen before he can harvest them. In the Holy Words of God in James 5:7-10 we are clearly told that to have patience is the only way, and that we must wait quietly without any fighting or hatred towards our earthly brothers and sisters. And while waiting show them the love and kindness because they are children of God.  This this pleases our Father in heaven.  If we love, care for, and respect each other, then we shall not be judged harshly, as we are each judged by our thoughts, words and deeds towards each other.  Meaning if we treat each other otherwise, we will therefore be judged by the same token.  And we are treating God in the same manner.  Also if our Father God is to love and have mercy and forgiveness towards our sins  and iniquities,  which he does tirelessly and eternally, then we most show these same qualities to our brothers and sisters in the same manner. We are taught to be as the prophets were in their lives

and we must be prepared to suffer and have vast patience and to follow their examples in the same way.  We are to live our lives s He would have us live them, until the Lord decides the time is right to return in Glory!!

Let us pray:  As we joyfully await the glorious coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let us pray for the needs of the church,  of our community, and of the world. May we give Love where there is hate or hurt, and may we all learn to live in patience, with tolerance and forgiveness towards each other as Our Heavenly Father has taught us and  live our lives  by following the examples that the Saints and Prophets before us have shown us by the way they lived and served you to your Glory. God of joy and exultation,you strengthen what is weak; you enrich the poor, and you give hope to those who live in fear. Look upon all of our needs this day. Make us grateful for the Good news of your Salvation and keep us faithful in your service until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives with You in the presence of The Holy Spirit for ever and ever.   Amen.

 

XXX Observations

Contracts:  Sign at the X          Treasure maps:  X marks the spot             Algebra:   Solve for X.

X is the 3rd least used letter in the English language.  There are no words that begin with X in the list of the 500 most commonly used words in the English language.   X seems to be a pretty special and unique letter.  BUT, what about that pesky “Xmas” that annoys so many people?  How can people simply substitute a letter of the alphabet for the name of Our Lord?  Where did this abomination originate?  What evil mind decided to do away with Christ and substitute it with an X?  How did this happen?  Should we avoid, shun, boycott people and places that use Xmas instead of Christmas?

We are going to look at this today, so here we go:

To begin:  Look around in your churches, my friends, especially those of you from a liturgical background, and see how many X’s you can find.   Do some Googling of “Xmas” and this is what you get:

“Xmas” is a common abbreviation of the word “Christmas“.  The “-mas” part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for “Mass“, while the “X” comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as “Christ“.  There is a common misconception that the word Xmas is a secular attempt to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by taking the “Christ” out of “Christmas”.  While “Xmas” is considered to be an informal abbreviation, it should never be used in formal writing, but it is historically correct.

The word “Christ” and its compounds, including “Christmas”, have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the modern “Xmas” was commonly used. “Christ” was often written as “XP” or “Xt”; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as AD 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for “Christ”), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and the OED Supplement have cited usages of “X-” or “Xp-” for “Christ-” as early as 1485. The terms “Xpian” and “Xtian” have also been used for “Christian”. The dictionary further cites usage of “Xtianity” for “Christianity” from 1634. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, most of the evidence for these words comes from “educated Englishmen who knew their Greek”.

In ancient Christian art, χ and χρ are abbreviations for Christ’s name. In many manuscripts of the New Testament and icons, Χ is an abbreviation for Χριστος, as is XC (the first and last letters in Greek, using the lunate sigma); compare IC for Jesus in Greek.

Thus, really and truly, the use of the “X” isn’t taking Christ out of Christmas at all.  And instead of protesting the use of “X” during the  Christmas season, wouldn’t we ALL be better people, the world be a better place, and Christ be better served,  if we kept that “X” in our words and deeds every day of the year?  Should we not celebrate Him always, 24/7/365?

So, having said all of the above,  may you keep Christ, not only in Christmas, but also in your hearts and minds and lives, every day and always.  Amen.