Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas - Proper 1 - Years A, B, C
To be walking in darkness and to see a brilliant light is not a comfort. A flashlight beam in the eye can be painful.
Brightness coming on too quickly when living in deep shadows is not only startling, but a source of misperception. We too easily confuse a source of light and what it illumines.
A too-quick look can lead us to think that a nation is greater than it is, that a current joy is all that is needed. Eventually this mixing up of journey and arrival brings disorientation. We settle for a present modicum of peace rather than continuing to build a present that can bear the weight of tomorrow’s new additions to reality.
What will allow folks to join in with a next stage of journey? Well, there will be false promises of peace at a next plateau that will pull some folks on. Some will become lonely when others have journeyed on, with a double loneliness for having seen the road wasn’t quite as rough as they had feared, and belatedly and ruefully move on. Some won’t ever move and they’ll be buried in their grave to mark this plateau. Some will hear a sentinel, a “child” of light singing for joy about that which is yet to come, no matter what plateau they are on.
As we near a time of celebrating birth of a “prince of peace” who will need to grow into and past that designation, it will help if we recognize that wonderful counsel, creation-deep strength, steadfast protection, and an orientation of peace are all sustained with justice and fairness.
A bright light suddenly upon us focuses for us our satisfaction, the spoils, the surface of desire, and we miss that which undergirds all the good we are surprised to find has arrived—basic justice and common fairness, both lower-case. This is a necessary background for moving on. May we use Christmas not only to celebrate a past birth, but a present birth of ourselves to more consistent justice and fairness.
Brightness coming on too quickly when living in deep shadows is not only startling, but a source of misperception. We too easily confuse a source of light and what it illumines.
A too-quick look can lead us to think that a nation is greater than it is, that a current joy is all that is needed. Eventually this mixing up of journey and arrival brings disorientation. We settle for a present modicum of peace rather than continuing to build a present that can bear the weight of tomorrow’s new additions to reality.
What will allow folks to join in with a next stage of journey? Well, there will be false promises of peace at a next plateau that will pull some folks on. Some will become lonely when others have journeyed on, with a double loneliness for having seen the road wasn’t quite as rough as they had feared, and belatedly and ruefully move on. Some won’t ever move and they’ll be buried in their grave to mark this plateau. Some will hear a sentinel, a “child” of light singing for joy about that which is yet to come, no matter what plateau they are on.
As we near a time of celebrating birth of a “prince of peace” who will need to grow into and past that designation, it will help if we recognize that wonderful counsel, creation-deep strength, steadfast protection, and an orientation of peace are all sustained with justice and fairness.
A bright light suddenly upon us focuses for us our satisfaction, the spoils, the surface of desire, and we miss that which undergirds all the good we are surprised to find has arrived—basic justice and common fairness, both lower-case. This is a necessary background for moving on. May we use Christmas not only to celebrate a past birth, but a present birth of ourselves to more consistent justice and fairness.
As found in Wrestling Year A: Connecting Sunday Readings with Lived Experience
There is a promise of an endless peace ahead. (if we paid attention we would know it is already present). What is the way to that peace? waiting for another angelic flaming sword or chorus? Nope, the way to peace is peace and it runs through you and me.
The zeal of the All will do this. Does this mean we are simply to stand back, get out of G*D's way, and clap when the magic is accomplished? Nope. How does G*D work? what is your experience? certainly not by turning you into a puppet.
You are the locus of the zeal of G*D.
Whenever we are open to partnering with the zeal of G*D it is a birth experience in the midst of the deep darkness. A light shines within us and without us (in both senses). Even before the official time — tonight could be an Eve that goes down in history. May you also be zealous for participating in such activity.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2004/december2004.html
Isaiah 9:2-7 / Isaiah 62:6-12 / Isaiah 52:7-10
Sentinel and "Son" and Light get paralleled here. The qualities of one run into the qualities of the other.
The authority of each grows continuously. It is only in this constant growth that the possibility of endless peace comes to pass. Our tendency is to plateau our growth (for shorter and longer terms) and at each we not only consolidate our gain (light the path we have come by), but we lose sight of our journey and settle for a present peace based on the past that can't bear the weight of tomorrow's realities without more growth.
A call comes to move beyond our current plateau, to "build up" the road to which we have set our foot. A light dawns, a sentinel calls out, a child pushes the boundaries to say, "Ensign Pulver, here, its time for more life than this old bucket or plateau can hold! We'll seek it first in anti-authoritarian silliness which is appropriate to Holy People, the Redeemed."
What's going to allow folks to join in with the next stage of journey. Well, there will be false promises of peace at the next plateau and that will pull some folks on. Some will get lonely when others have journeyed on and begin see the road isn't quite as rough as they had feared. Some won't ever move and they'll be buried in their grave to mark this plateau. Some will hear a sentinel "son" of light singing for joy about that which is yet to come, no matter what plateau we are on.
As we near a time of celebrating birth of a prince of peace who will need to grow into and past that designation, it will help if we recognize that the sentinel, "son", light of old are yet floating around in our gene pool, in what it means to be created in the image of G*D. They are part of us and it is appropriate to allow them to be born again within us. May we use Christmas to not only celebrate a past birth, but a present birth of ourselves.
http://www.kairoscomotion.org/lectionary/2005/december2005.html
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Peace is established with justice (beyond law) and righteousness (beyond hospitality). Zeal beyond our usual limits of engagement leads to good deeds beyond economic gain (no, not just that of monetary gain, but any transaction beyond an expected benefit).
When we have seen the truly unforgivable forgiven we burst forth with more and more forgiveness for smaller and smaller infractions, for our own infractions as well as those of others, until premeditated mercy becomes our standard.
When we have seen humble swaddling clothes enrobing small holiness, we are glorified and begin to see wholeness in larger universals as well as particulars. Our living praise echoes, "All will be well, all manner of things will be well - and we will begin that wellness where we are."
Peace with justice and righteousness is worth treasuring.
- - -
what inner child
yet burns bloody clothes
what standing tree
yet sings for joy
what shining star
yet calms fears
what newborn
is not born in blood
what awen
is not threatened by clear cutting
what polaris
is not left behind as our axis torques
let a decree go out -
peace is birthed
in justice for all
and righteousness bright
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html
When in darkness - a glimmer is a joy.
A burden is not only personal, but corporate. Whole peoples have been oppressed by an iron hand of the market. Whether a single person or 99% of them, being burdened is a sure sign of inequity and such always falls, soon or late.
While we sometimes get caught thinking we need some wonderful counselor, mighty god, etc. to defeat such a huge system, it is important to be able to see a crack in the juggernaut (the huge nothing - no not the official derivation) that can be dealt with by a child - even a child such as yourself. Each of us is a sign of the times. As we choose justice and trustworthiness, we brighten the light available to see where else we might choose a better way.
May you unwrap the present that is you. May your authority grow continually. May peace expand through your choices.
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/2011/12/isaiah-92-7.html
It is often easier to see strengths in others that are not recognized within one’s self. It is important to keep a connection between the individual and the community. Likewise to connect ourself with another.
In this case try putting this list of leadership qualities into your own life. Here is the list from The Inclusive Bible:
Wise Guide
Strength of G*D
Eternal Protector
Champion of Peace
Admittedly these are ideals and we need to recognize how the wisest among us fall from pedestals, those we rely upon for strength falter, our desired protectors fail, and champions forget the on-goingness of their call. Yet we cannot discount the wisdom, strength, protection, and peace and our part in their health.
Your manger’s worth of these qualities, added to those of others, promise transformation of night to day and dismay to song.