Tag Archives: Christmas
The Symbols of Christmas
Incarnation The Symbols of Christmas Thursday, December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve People often use the word “magical” to describe their Christmas memories from childhood. I hope that was your experience. I have to confess that I am fortunate enough to have some rather “mystical” Christmas memories, too. Two of my earliest God-experiences took place around… Continue Reading The Symbols of Christmas
Birth Is Just the Beginning
Incarnation Birth Is Just the Beginning Sunday, December 20, 2020 We must move beyond a merely sentimental understanding of Christmas as “waiting for the baby Jesus” to an adult and communal appreciation of the message of the incarnation of God in Christ. We Franciscans have always believed that the incarnation was already the redemption, because in… Continue Reading Birth Is Just the Beginning
“Mothering” God
Incarnation “Mothering” God Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Christmas, Feast of the Incarnation Here, in time, we are celebrating the eternal birth which God the Father bore and bears unceasingly in eternity, because this same birth is now born in time, in human nature. St. Augustine says, “What does it avail me that this birth is… Continue Reading “Mothering” God
Celebrating an Eternal Advent
Incarnation Celebrating an Eternal Advent Tuesday, December 24, 2019 In the first 1200 years of Christianity, the greatest feast was Easter with the high holy days of Holy Week leading up to the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. But in the 13th century, a new person entered the scene: Francis of Assisi felt we… Continue Reading Celebrating an Eternal Advent
All Things New
From the Bottom Up: Summary All Things New Monday, December 25, 2017 (Christmas) Yearning for a new way will not produce it. Only ending the old way can do that. You cannot hold onto the old, all the while declaring that you want something new. The old will defy the new; The old will deny… Continue Reading All Things New
The Continual Incarnation
On this Christmas day, all of us at the Center for Action and Contemplation pray you may know the deep love of God that surpasses understanding. The story of Jesus’ birth reveals what is too simple and profound for us to comprehend: God is with us, even in our pain. In this 8-minute video, I… Continue Reading The Continual Incarnation
The Divine Paradox
Twelve-Step Spirituality: Week 2 The Divine Paradox Friday, June 10, 2016 We’re many months away from Christmas, but I want to share with you Bill Wilson’s Christmas letter to A. A. members years ago: Greetings on Our 10th Christmas, 1944 Yes, it’s in the air! The spirit of Christmas once more warms this poor distraught… Continue Reading The Divine Paradox
The Face of the Other
Incarnation: Week 1 The Face of the Other Friday, January 15, 2016 It was probably St. Francis who first brought attention to the humanity of Jesus. Paintings of Jesus, prior to the life of St. Francis, largely emphasized Jesus’ divinity, as they still do in most Eastern icons. Francis is said to have created the first… Continue Reading The Face of the Other