Post #1000: For His Steadfast Love Endures Forever (FHSLEF)

This is the one thousandth post on this humble blog. The first one (above) was on 30 December 2005. Not a frenetic pace and the response not exactly viral. The good news, dear reader, is that you are, therefore, unlikely to catch anything unpleasant from it. 

On this, the Eighth Day of Christmas, according to our Anglican Church of Canada’s calendar, today is 

The Naming of Jesus - HD (White) 

Within the Octave of Christmas

New Year’s Day

Meanwhile, in our continuing state of ecclesiastical multiple personality disorder and somewhat obscured and relegated to the back pews by the more enlightened and less gloomy, to some, streams of liturgical modernity, the traditional Book of Common Prayer calendar, which you can still get to on the lectionary website, calls today 

The Octave Day of Christmas - HD

and the Circumcision of Christ 

being New Year’s Day (White)

HD is for Holy Day, not High Definition, by the way—although some winsome and higher definition holiness in our world, contemporary or traditional, wouldn’t be a bad thing. 

White refers the seasonal colour for any liturgical accoutrements to be used—stoles, frontals and the like—and, for me, of the winter snow amid which I see my world just now. 

An Octave is the five-dollar word for the eighth of a series of daily observances beginning with a festival day; in this case, Christmas. 

Notice the difference in names, though—the bloodier and more bodily Circumcision in the BCP as opposed to the less gritty Naming in the contemporary scheme. I suppose one could say that the sharper Circumcision is more logical after the required and more sobering Prayer Book calendar days of Christmas two, three and four observances of the death of St Stephen the Martyr (Boxing Day), John the Apostle and Evangelist (December 26th—not his death, his beheading isn’t observed until August 29th) and the horrendous multiple murders of The Innocents (December 28th). Whereas, according to the BAS, all these darker days are can be optionally transferred from the sugar-plum Christmas ones to months with less of a merry sheen leaving Christmastide to flow brightly.

I have to accept, however, that our Merry and Bright Christmas did come in the context of Herod’s anxiety, machinations and brutality, of many mothers weeping over their children and ultimately The Cross and all martyrdom that continues to this day.

Which brings me to Psalm 136 which came up in our lectionary on Boxing Day. I have to confess that whenever it does I groan a little because it is so repetitive. 

Every verse ends with the same words, “For His steadfast love endures forever.” Over and over again. God blesses the Psalmist and the Israelites for His steadfast love endures for ever and God destroys their enemies for his steadfast love endures for ever. Twenty-six times. Not as many as the times Jesus says I am to forgive those who sin against me (77x7=539) but enough for me to notice and wonder. So there must be something in it. Perhaps it needs its own acronym—FHSLEF. 

But I have questions. How did His steadfast love endure for St Stephen as he was stoned to death—FHSLEF? How did it endure for St John as he was being danced to death —FHSLEF? And what about all the little boys and their parents in Bethlehem —FHSLEF? Not to mention the 230,000 souls who perished in the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, those affected by the ongoing Aussie wildfires and the victims of the White Island eruption in New Zealand and the thousands of Christians who are suffering for their faith all over the world. I’ve just had a Christmastide conversation with an old friend who is caring for his beloved and who has been praying earnestly for her healing without any result he can see. He listed several Bible verses which clearly promise healing and yet still her condition deteriorates. I have a dear friend who has just moved to an hospice. To add FHSLEF to the items on that list seems as if I’m somehow putting God to the test—almost blasphemous. 

I’m also reminded of Jesus and his “prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence” (Hebrews 5:7–8). Heard, but he still had to die. Perhaps there are brainier people who can come up with a satisfactory explanation. I certainly can’t other than a thought that came to me some years ago (whether it’s from The LORD or not, I don’t know), and that is that, as agonizing and unfair as they may be, suffering and death are not the worse thing. I think I can see FHSLEF in Jesus telling the thief on the cross beside him that today he’d see him in paradise. He still had to die unpleasantly, but…

Deep, disturbing stuff for New Year’s Day. 

FHSLEF.

I am still only seeing through my glass darkly. 

FHSLEF. 

I’m just going to believe it. Perhaps then The LORD will give me 2020 Vision!

FHSLEF!

Christmastide Love in Jesus,

Gene+

Merry Kurelek Christmas

Posted this back in 2008, too. Enjoy.  MERRY CHRISTMAS‼️

Love in Jesus,

Gene+

Collared: the Full Easter

My Easter and Christmas rig. Jude chose the shirt at The Vill-a-a-age, took the collar off and made provision for the collar studs (thank you, my dear). Bit over the top for normal wear for me. But then being raised from the dead is pretty well over the top, too. Worthy of a shirt with a little extra pizzazz. 

The cross was a gift from The Reverend John Falea of the Solomon Islands. We were class mates at seminary. Those are real dolphin teeth, the "beads" are shell money, the cross is turtle shell with mother of pearl inlay. John's father made it. Thoroughly appropriate for a gospel with sharp teeth that is an absolute treasure. Resurrection and Incarnation worthy wear, indeed. 

I have at least one dear Anglican priest friend whose "inner Pharisee" might stir at the sight of such clerical irregularity. But, since He really is Risen Indeed and a whole world of natural and rational rules and laws were broken in the rising, a little celebratory sartorial boundary pushing can't hurt. Besides, what can they do? Fire me?

One of these days I hope to write some more in my "Retirement and Things I Would, or Would Not, Do Differently" series about wearing clerical collars or not, among other things. I think I'll call it Collared: Confessions of an Introverted? Ordinary? Anglican Clergyman—or something like that. 

What If God Loves You?: a Short Sermon for Christmas Eve - with Reference to Isa 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:1-20

What if God loves you? 

What if Caesar Augustus issuing that census decree which sent Joseph and Mary off on the road to Bethlehem, expecting a child, and the baby being born and wrapped and placed in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn really is part of a divine plot to show you that the Father Himself loves you? Just that. What if that really set the angel and the glory of the LORD off and scared the shepherds out of their wits? What if there really was then, and is tonight, a great company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to everyone on whom His favour rests?

What if God’s favour rests on you tonight.   

No, really; what if God loves you? 

What if when Isaiah wrote the words in our first reading 2,700 years ago, not only did God already have Jesus—the child born, the son given, the great light—in mind, but also you and me; to light up the dark places in our souls and lives tonight? 

What if God loves you? 

What if the grace of God that brings salvation has really appeared to all people? What if the salvation bringer really is Jesus? What if He really is a Saviour sent to save you and me? What if Jesus really is making a glorious appearance here in the Scriptures, the bread and the wine tonight, newborn baby no longer, but our Mighty God and Saviour, who gave himself for you and me to redeem us from all wickedness done by, or to, us and to purify us for himself and make us his own.

What if God loves you? 

What if he loves your kids? How can you make sure they get that? 

"Rejoice," wrote Isaiah. Celebrate. Have fun. Kids are attracted to genuine joy and fun. Set them a Christmas-spirited example by saying “No” to godless living and the sinful, indulgent pleasures Paul wrote about in our reading from Titus. Live self-controlled, upright and godly lives, eager to do what is good. Kids respond to goodness. They’ll see the God who loves them in it. Hurry, like the shepherds, to find where Jesus is and go there (you got it right tonight). Come often, and bring your kids with you, make sure they hear the story, over and over again (you know how they love to have stores repeated—try and skip a page), amaze them with the good news that God really does love them. Like Mary, treasure these events and what they mean and take them home and ponder them in your hearts with your kids. Like the shepherds, go home glorifying and praising God for all the things you are hearing and seeing this night and all that you will enjoy together over the next few days.

Because, if this is all true, it changes everything. It can no longer be just Christmas that’s magic. Life gets re-enchanted. Angels, glory and heavenly hosts, blessed hope, amazing grace, and Jesus himself—Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Christ—will light up your lives and the lives of your children like a Christmas tree. Batteries are included.  

What if God loves you? 

Christmas Eve Year A: an Isaiah 62.6-7, 10-12; Titus 3.4-7; Luke 2.1-20 Word Cloud

Click to enlarge. 

The mostly Good News words: 

The Digital Story of the Nativity

A wonderful take on it all.

H/T: iPhone Savior. How appropriate is that!! Saviour. Exactly!

Kurulek Nativity Scenes

Wonderful Christmas Day images in a Canadian context. Enjoy.

Kurulek Nativity scenes set to Chris de Burgh

H/T Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hansen over at Dimlamp.

A Sermon for Christmas Eve: with reference to Isaiah 62.6-12, Titus 3.4-7 and Luke 2.1-20

I was challenged by Father Joe's Two Kinds of Christmas Sermons over at the most excellent felix hominum. It's what put diapers in my mind which got into Hezekiah's mouserel in the post just before this one.

I'm not particularly good and laying out the whole plan of God's salvation in 10 minutes either, but I just can't seem to let it go by without at least putting the question somehow. Here's this evening's attempt.

“See, your Saviour comes!” trumpeted the prophet Isaiah. And so he has. What’s a Saviour? One who saves. Who needs saving? Someone who is in danger. In danger from what? Enemies, for one thing, says Isaiah in v8 of the OT reading. Eternal death for another, the opposite of the “eternal life” to which Paul refers at the end of the Titus passage.

That’s pretty negative for Christmas Eve some might say. But it’s the truth. Jesus wouldn’t have been necessary if humanity hadn’t been in serious trouble. Jesus himself experienced that trouble by being born into it. First there was Herod. Then there were the religious leaders of his day. Not to mention the cross. That’s pretty negative, too. But it’s part of the true story.

As we celebrate here tonight there are people sleeping in homeless shelters down the street. And there are families wondering from where their next meal is coming. I’m not saying this to try and spoil your Christmas, I’m just saying that as there was trouble, suffering and grief when Joseph, Mary, the angels and shepherds celebrated his birth then. There is trouble, suffering and grief as we celebrate it now.

That’s the dark side. What’s the bright side?

Paul states it clearly in our reading from his letter to Titus, in Jesus “the kindness and love of God…appeared.” That appearance, the one we celebrate tonight and for the next twelve days, saves us, if we choose to believe it, receive it and live it out. It saves us not because of the good things we’ve done, or because we deserve it, “but because of his mercy,” wrote Paul. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth,” should we have believed and been baptized, “and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” in other words, the regeneration and transformation that comes with a way of living which is aligned with what the birth we celebrate tonight represents. All of which was, “poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

His birth is chronicled in some detail in our gospel reading by Luke, a trustworthy physician and a learned man. He calls it “good news of great joy…for all the people…a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” And, rather like the shepherds, each year we leave our places of work to find Mary and Joseph and the baby again, to see the thing that has happened.

It is an amazing story. Consider what we’ve heard about Jesus this evening:

1. Jesus has, indeed, come into the world


2. He represents the kindness and love of God


3. He saved us


4. He is Christ ( which means God’s anointed One)


5. He is Lord; that is, he is King of Kings, absolute Sovereign of the Universe. 

Tonight I want to encourage you to suspend any disbelief and decide to believe it all; the virgin birth, the cross, the resurrection, the whole nine yards. Let’s face it. You’re in trouble. I’m in trouble. And we can’t get ourselves out of the trouble we’re in. Jesus has. Jesus is able. Jesus will. All we have to do is believe that the message of this holy night is true and ask him to save us. And he will. 

Suffering and Christmastide

From Charles de Foucauld Meditations of a Hermit, part of one of the Readings for Reflection for this week in my A Guide to Prayer:

May these days of Christmas festival bring you, in your suffering, I do not say consolation, but the blessing that God intends for you. The Child Jesus will perhaps not give you any sweetness,—he reserves that for the weak ones,—but his hands will none the less be spread to bless you in these days of Christmastide, and whether you feel it or no, he will pour abundant grace into your soul. (p 34)

Amen. And as the carol goes:

Yet in the dark streets shineth the everlasting light. 

A reminder of the reality of Christmas for many. Our Longest Night service this Sunday at 6pm acknowledges that reality and provides a place for people to express it in worship. 

(Not Really) A Sermon for Christmas Eve: What Would Jesus Say?

As I pondered what to say this evening I found myself wondering what Jesus would say to us if He were standing here in my place this evening.

Thanks for coming, I think He would say, I really appreciate you focussing on Me, and what I represent, for a little while. What I offer fills lives with joy and peace.

I'm so glad those of you with children have brought them so they can learn of Me. I am sad that fewer and fewer children have that opportunity these days. Thanks for bringing them and not leaving them to find out about Me by accident somehow.

I know some of you really didn't want to come tonight and that you're here to please someone else. Thanks for being generous and coming for their sake. That's a real Christmas present in itself and probably more meaningful to whoever you're here for than what you've put, or will be putting, under the tree. Your sacrifice to bless them also blesses me. It is an act of love. Loving one another is one of the key principles I came to demonstrate and to pass on to you. I command it, in fact. Keep it up.

I know some of you don't believe I am who the Bible says I am, that all this away-in-a-manger stuff is just legendary mumbo-jumbo. I want you to know I wish you no harm if that is the case. On the contrary, I know there's a ton of noise and interference out there which obscures who I am. The world offers some pretty alluring delights and pleasures that can keep you pre-occupied. Sometimes my church isn't much help, I'm sorry to say. Some of you have even been hurt or abused by church people. I'm truly sorry for that. I'd love for you to give me another chance by spending some time with me so I have the opportunity to heal those hurts.

Get a Glove and Get in the Game: a Sermon with Reference to Colossians 3.12-17 for the First Sunday after Christmas

12Therefore, as God's chosen people,

It feels good to be chosen for good. It feels good to be chosen by someone to be a friend, a husband, a wife, to win a prize, to be on somebody’s team.

Nobody gets left out in God’s kingdom. There are no kids who nobody picks for their team in God’s kingdom. We are all chosen by God and precious in His sight.

Through Jesus, God is always and everywhere saying to everyone of us, “I pick you.”

holy and dearly loved,

In the picking—the being chosen—we are made holy and called to be so—set apart for something special—made special and clean. When people come into a church they sometimes feel something and they say, “This is a holy place.” What they are saying is, “I feel the presence of God here.” To be holy because we are chosen by God means that others will sense the presence of God in us.

Dearly loved. Jesus said, “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16.27) “For God so loved the world,” (John 3.16) including us. “You are precious and honored in my sight, and … I love you.” (Isa 43.4) God is love, writes John. The list goes on and on.

We are all chosen and much loved by God. Here’s where the New Year’s resolution comes in—we must accept the chosing. We must say, “Yes, Lord, I want to be on your team. Thank you for picking me.” And then we get a glove and get in the game because we are chosen to be players, not spectators.

There are all sorts of positions on this team; some in the church and some outside the church. Some players serve coffee and tea at funeral lunches. Some clean the church. Some teach our children. Some pray for us. Some serve as priests. Sometimes we’re tempted to treat some players as stars, but we’re really all of equal value. The most valuable player is Jesus.

I mentioned getting a glove and getting in this game. Here’s a good glove for 2007…

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Put on love. If I am the best player in the world, the most spiritual, the most regular attender at church, the best Anglican, the best singer, but have not love, “I am nothing,” wrote Paul in 1 Cor 13. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Cloth yourselves—put on the glove. It will feel a little stiff and awkward at first so it will need to be worn in. That means wearing it a lot, practising and practising so, bit by bit, it fits our hand like a glove, oiling it to make the leather soft as we are compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another, forgiving and, above all, loving one another.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

How do we let the peace of Jesus rule in our hearts? Worship as members of the one body, our church, and pray—how about at least 7 minutes a day for 2007 using your bulletin?

And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The only way to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly is to read it, put on our glove, get in the game and do our best to play the position in which Jesus has placed us.

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Merry Christmas!

Some Christmas quotes, beginning with the one we used on our Tree-card this year:

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.
~Richard Crashaw

Roses are reddish
Violets are bluish
If it weren't for Christmas
We'd all be Jewish.
~Benny Hill

The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin. ~Jay Leno

Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice. ~Unknown

I found them at the Quote Garden here.

Have a wonderful Christmas.