Monday

we are strangers and foreigners on the earth but there are shrines by the side of every road where we may stop and worship him and gain strength for the next stage of the journey. 

Hebrews 11:13 and Forward Day by Day 1951

2nd Vespers of 2 Christmas

Is not this Jesus, 

the son of Joseph,

whose father 

and mother 

we know?  

How can 

he now say 

“I have 

come down 

from heaven?” 

John 6: 42

Fr Jim was the celebrant today. It being the first Sunday of the month, it was Children’s Sunday and we had the Epiphany pageant with all the attendant chaos and cuteness. When the kids were through they left the Baby in the manger. At announcement time, Jim went over and picked up the Baby and said “The trouble is that after Christmas we are apt to forget the Baby and leave Him behind. We often find it hard to let Him grow up in us. But remember that God is with us. Every day God is with us. When you go today, take Him with you." It's hard to be offended by a child. But soon, very soon... 

The Second Sunday of Christmas

O God, who wonderfully created 

and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature; Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity. 

Collect for  Second SUnday of Christmas 

Scroll down for January Gospel article 

January article

              Saints and Seasons 

As you read this, the bright gift wrappings are long gone and most of the trees are out on the curb waiting to be recycled: the world has definitely moved on from Christmas, on to the next thing. But their Christmas is our Advent, and, for those of us who are who are liturgical Christians, for you and for me, at St David's, we are still in the middle of the story. 

Besides the ever-changing creches at home and at church I have a long tradition of “refrigerator art” which changes with the seasons. At this time of year Christmas cards from past years too precious to just throw away make their way there.  It begins with secular “Christmas,” with santas, glittery pine cones, and whimsical scenes of bringing the tree home on a sleigh through the snowy twilight.  Then, early on Christmas eve, it moves on to Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem, searching for a place to stay, any place safe and warm. Later that evening there  is the Birth itself,  complete with shepherds and the heavenly host. 

But that’s only the first act. By Christmas day the angels have fallen silent (at least to our ears) and the shepherds have gone back to tending their sheep. For several days only Mary, Joseph and the Baby remain - the new holy family, far from home, sharing room with the animals. 

The eighth of the twelves days of Christmas is what the world calls New Year's Day. According to the Jewish tradition into which Jesus was born, a male child is circumcised and named on the 8th day, and so it was with Jesus; he was circumcised and given the name which had been told to Mary by the angel at the Annunciation.  

Jesus Name of mercy mild, given to the holy Child, 

when the cup of human woe, fist he tasted here below. Hymn 252

Before the 1979 Prayer Book, this was called The Feast of the Circumcision and now it is The Feast of the Holy Name. Both naming and circumcision is commemorated here. Maybe we’re a little squeamish about the very humanness of circumcision, but it’s an important day for a Jew, when he has inscribed on his very flesh the covenant made with Abraham. Covenant love is never painless and this was the first taste of its cost for the child Jesus. The Son of God, Jesus earthly life was bracketed by the hard steel of the knife at the circumcision and the sword piercing his side at the crucifixion. And Mary held Him through it all. 

But there’s one more change before the Feast of the Incarnation is complete for another year. On the 12th and last day of Christmas, January 6th, the wise men make their way to the creche to worship the One whose star had appeared in the east. They’d traveled who knows how far to arrive here and our last scene is of travel weary sages worshipping the Prince of Peace whom they find lying in a feeding trough. 

“When the wise men brought their precious gifts  

the infant was aware, that a far more precious gift 

was in the heart of each Wise Man there .

And tenderly He blessed them,

and today may He bless you,

Knowing that in your heart

        you make that Christmas journey too. “ 

Louise Buck 

January 2011

@ Saints and Seasons is a monthly (except for August) column written by Louise Buck for "The Gospel at Saint David's," the monthly magazine of St David's Episcopal Church, 5050 Milton St, San Diego CA.

Sunset Holy Name Day

In him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily and we have come to fulness in him.... Colosssians 2: 9

Second Vespers of Holy Name Day

In him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily and we have come to fulness in him.... In him you also were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision ... when you were buried with him in baptism     Colosssians 2: 9, 11 

Holy Name Day

After eight days 

had passed 

it was time 

to circumcise the child; 

and he was called Jesus, 

the name 

given by the angel 

before he was conceived 

in the womb. 

     Luke 2:21

So ok, this really is a Presentation window... but  I figured all you’d see on Holy Name Day, aka New Year’s Day would be the great menorah and would disregard the turtledoves and the sword going through Mary’s heart....  At least today I think in the Eucharistic Gospel she's pondering these things in her heart... It IS a great window and I do love the very Jewishness of the menorah.... Happy 2011 everyone!