Of Christmas…
25/12/05
The story of Christ's birth has been handed down for centuries, based on the Gospels of Matthew and Luke...
Luke tells us that Mary learned from the angel Gabriel that she was with child by the Holy Spirit. Shortly thereafter, she and her husband Joseph left their Nazareth home to travel to Joseph's ancestral home of Bethlehem of Judea, to enroll in the census ordered by the Roman emperor, Augustus. Finding no room in inns in the town, they set up primitive lodgings in a stable. There Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger. Christ's birth in Bethlehem, the home of the house of David from which Joseph was descended, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. And let's not forget the announcement by angels to nearby shepherds of Jesus' birth.
Matthew's Gospel begins by recounting the royal and law genealogy (in fulfillment of the scriptures) and virgin birth of Christ, then skips to the coming of the Wise Men from the East to the home where Christ was staying after his birth in Bethlehem.
The date we celebrate the birth of Christ is based on the date of Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. Since the exact date of Jesus' crucifixion and death is not stated in the Gospels, early Christians sought to calculate it; they arrived at March 25th, or thereabouts (please don't ask me how they arrived at that date). To then calculate the date of Jesus' birth, they followed the ancient idea that Old Testament prophets died at an "integral age"-either the anniversary of their birth or of their incarnation (conception). They reasoned that Jesus died on the anniversary of his incarnation, so the date of his birth would have been nine months after the date of Good Friday-December 25th.
The word "Christmas" is simply a contraction of the old English "Cr?stes m�sse," literally "Christ's Mass."
The endless number of customs; with either secular, religious, or national aspects surrounding Christmas vary widely from country to country. Most of the familiar and traditional trappings of our Christmas; wreaths, holly, ivy and mistletoe, the Yule log, and carolers are all English. Gifts at Christmas is also an English custom; elsewhere they are given at other times, such as at Epiphany in Spain. The Christmas tree is a German tradition from the Middle Ages. The crib (cr�che) with the Nativity scene at Bethlehem was popularized by the Franciscans.
In the mid 19th century, Christmas began to acquire its trappings of an increasingly secularized holiday of gift-giving and "good cheer;" a view that was popularized in works such as Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823) and Charles Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol" (1843). Christmas cards first appeared in England in 1846. Our current notion of jolly ol' Santa Claus was first popularized in New York in the 19th century.
When Oliver Cromwell took over England in 1645, Christmas was cancelled as part of the Puritan effort to rid the country of decadence. This proved, let's say "unpopular," and when Charles II was restored to the throne, he reinstated the celebration. The Pilgrims, that group of Puritanical English separatists who later came to North America in 1620, completely disapproved of celebrating Christmas, and as a result it wasn't a holiday in most of early America; though all the while the Anglicans of the Jamestown and subsequent settlements celebrated Christmas freely. The celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed from 1659 to 1681 in Boston, a prohibition enforced with a fine of five shillings. Christmas again fell out of favor after the American Revolution, as it was considered an "English custom," and it was not declared a federal holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.
Luke tells us that Mary learned from the angel Gabriel that she was with child by the Holy Spirit. Shortly thereafter, she and her husband Joseph left their Nazareth home to travel to Joseph's ancestral home of Bethlehem of Judea, to enroll in the census ordered by the Roman emperor, Augustus. Finding no room in inns in the town, they set up primitive lodgings in a stable. There Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger. Christ's birth in Bethlehem, the home of the house of David from which Joseph was descended, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. And let's not forget the announcement by angels to nearby shepherds of Jesus' birth.
Matthew's Gospel begins by recounting the royal and law genealogy (in fulfillment of the scriptures) and virgin birth of Christ, then skips to the coming of the Wise Men from the East to the home where Christ was staying after his birth in Bethlehem.
The date we celebrate the birth of Christ is based on the date of Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. Since the exact date of Jesus' crucifixion and death is not stated in the Gospels, early Christians sought to calculate it; they arrived at March 25th, or thereabouts (please don't ask me how they arrived at that date). To then calculate the date of Jesus' birth, they followed the ancient idea that Old Testament prophets died at an "integral age"-either the anniversary of their birth or of their incarnation (conception). They reasoned that Jesus died on the anniversary of his incarnation, so the date of his birth would have been nine months after the date of Good Friday-December 25th.
The word "Christmas" is simply a contraction of the old English "Cr?stes m�sse," literally "Christ's Mass."
The endless number of customs; with either secular, religious, or national aspects surrounding Christmas vary widely from country to country. Most of the familiar and traditional trappings of our Christmas; wreaths, holly, ivy and mistletoe, the Yule log, and carolers are all English. Gifts at Christmas is also an English custom; elsewhere they are given at other times, such as at Epiphany in Spain. The Christmas tree is a German tradition from the Middle Ages. The crib (cr�che) with the Nativity scene at Bethlehem was popularized by the Franciscans.
In the mid 19th century, Christmas began to acquire its trappings of an increasingly secularized holiday of gift-giving and "good cheer;" a view that was popularized in works such as Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823) and Charles Dickens' story "A Christmas Carol" (1843). Christmas cards first appeared in England in 1846. Our current notion of jolly ol' Santa Claus was first popularized in New York in the 19th century.
When Oliver Cromwell took over England in 1645, Christmas was cancelled as part of the Puritan effort to rid the country of decadence. This proved, let's say "unpopular," and when Charles II was restored to the throne, he reinstated the celebration. The Pilgrims, that group of Puritanical English separatists who later came to North America in 1620, completely disapproved of celebrating Christmas, and as a result it wasn't a holiday in most of early America; though all the while the Anglicans of the Jamestown and subsequent settlements celebrated Christmas freely. The celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed from 1659 to 1681 in Boston, a prohibition enforced with a fine of five shillings. Christmas again fell out of favor after the American Revolution, as it was considered an "English custom," and it was not declared a federal holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.
The Advent Candle: The Angels and Peace
18/12/05
Amidst the increasing frenzy of a commercialized Christmas season, we come again to seek out this silent and holy spot where we may stop to contemplate and meditate and hope...
'And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will to men!"' (Luke 2:13- 14). Imagine what life might be like if all people lived according to that blessing of the angels? If we all were to glorify God in everything we do, work together to ensure peace on earth and always share goodwill with our fellow man?
Today, we relight the Prophets' Candle of Hope, the Shepherds' Candle of Faith, the Bethlehem Candle of Joy and we kindle the Angels' Candle of Peace. All four candles are now lit. Let us wait expectantly for the coming of the Christ Child. This last week of Advent is the stillness of night before the dawn, the expectancy of a mother as the child kicks in her womb. Take time to seek out the peace that the angels wished for us so long ago.
"Almighty God, thank you for sending us the blessing of the angels. Infuse our lives with your peace that passes human understanding. Help us to hold that peace within our hearts so that it may serve as a rock upon which we can anchor our lives, a port where we can go to be safe from the storms of life. Help us to share that peace. Amen."
'And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will to men!"' (Luke 2:13- 14). Imagine what life might be like if all people lived according to that blessing of the angels? If we all were to glorify God in everything we do, work together to ensure peace on earth and always share goodwill with our fellow man?
Today, we relight the Prophets' Candle of Hope, the Shepherds' Candle of Faith, the Bethlehem Candle of Joy and we kindle the Angels' Candle of Peace. All four candles are now lit. Let us wait expectantly for the coming of the Christ Child. This last week of Advent is the stillness of night before the dawn, the expectancy of a mother as the child kicks in her womb. Take time to seek out the peace that the angels wished for us so long ago.
"Almighty God, thank you for sending us the blessing of the angels. Infuse our lives with your peace that passes human understanding. Help us to hold that peace within our hearts so that it may serve as a rock upon which we can anchor our lives, a port where we can go to be safe from the storms of life. Help us to share that peace. Amen."
The Advent Candle: Bethlehem and Joy
11/12/05
Amidst the increasing frenzy of a commercialized Christmas season, we come again to seek out this silent and holy spot where we may stop to contemplate and meditate and hope...
Today, we kindle the Bethlehem Candle, a pink candle symbolizing Joy rather than the purple that represents penitence and the kingship of Christ. This week, look for those small things that bring joy, the small things that often get buried in the holiday hustle; the smile of a child, the touch of a friend, the smells of home, the thoughtfulness of loved ones. Be mindful of the quiet joys of this season.
Today, we relight the Prophet's Candle of Hope and the Shepherds' Candle of Faith, and kindle the Bethlehem Candle of Joy. As we do, let us renew our determination to live this season as people of hope and faith and joy.
"Gracious God, thank you for sending your son to Bethlehem and for the joy that event still brings to us. Help us make room in our busy lives for the Advent of your son. Help us look within ourselves to discover the joy of this season. Keep us in the hollow of your hand and watch over us as we continue our journey towards Christmas. Amen."
Today, we kindle the Bethlehem Candle, a pink candle symbolizing Joy rather than the purple that represents penitence and the kingship of Christ. This week, look for those small things that bring joy, the small things that often get buried in the holiday hustle; the smile of a child, the touch of a friend, the smells of home, the thoughtfulness of loved ones. Be mindful of the quiet joys of this season.
Today, we relight the Prophet's Candle of Hope and the Shepherds' Candle of Faith, and kindle the Bethlehem Candle of Joy. As we do, let us renew our determination to live this season as people of hope and faith and joy.
"Gracious God, thank you for sending your son to Bethlehem and for the joy that event still brings to us. Help us make room in our busy lives for the Advent of your son. Help us look within ourselves to discover the joy of this season. Keep us in the hollow of your hand and watch over us as we continue our journey towards Christmas. Amen."
The Advent Candle: The Shepherds and Faith
04/12/05
Amidst the increasing frenzy of a commercialized Christmas season, we come again to seek out this silent and holy spot where we may stop to contemplate and meditate and hope...
A quiet, dark night on the hillside. The flock has settled down to sleep; crickets chirp quietly in the distance. Gray clouds slip silently across the black sky as shepherds nod off... Suddenly, the sky is ablaze with a brilliant explosion; the voices of a thousand angels crack the silence proclaiming that the Messiah is here. Gloria in Excelsis Deo, "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14).
Today, we relight the Prophets' Candle of Hope and we kindle the Shepherds' Candle, symbolizing Faith. The Shepherds left that unbelievable scene on the hillside and went to Bethlehem to see what the angels had told them. They accepted these miraculous events with faith and acted on them immediately.
"O God, you sent your host of angels to shatter the stillness of that quiet, holy night and forever change, not only the lives of those unassuming shepherds, but also the fate of mankind. Help us be aware of your presence, even when it is not heralded by the trumpets of a thousand angels. Train our ears to hear your still, small voice over the drone of the frenzied crowd. Watch over us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of your son. Amen."
A quiet, dark night on the hillside. The flock has settled down to sleep; crickets chirp quietly in the distance. Gray clouds slip silently across the black sky as shepherds nod off... Suddenly, the sky is ablaze with a brilliant explosion; the voices of a thousand angels crack the silence proclaiming that the Messiah is here. Gloria in Excelsis Deo, "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14).
Today, we relight the Prophets' Candle of Hope and we kindle the Shepherds' Candle, symbolizing Faith. The Shepherds left that unbelievable scene on the hillside and went to Bethlehem to see what the angels had told them. They accepted these miraculous events with faith and acted on them immediately.
"O God, you sent your host of angels to shatter the stillness of that quiet, holy night and forever change, not only the lives of those unassuming shepherds, but also the fate of mankind. Help us be aware of your presence, even when it is not heralded by the trumpets of a thousand angels. Train our ears to hear your still, small voice over the drone of the frenzied crowd. Watch over us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of your son. Amen."