An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations" Luke 2:28-30 A child's birth evokes family, religious, and social traditions. Announcements are sent to family and friends. A new life begins filling parents with hope, imagining great things ahead. Jesus' parents fulfill the obligations called for in Leviticus 12:3-8; circumcision and offering a sacrifice. These ancient traditions remind them that Jesus is born as part of the covenant between God and God's people. This holy moment in the holy place of the God's temple is a moment of hope.  This hope, though needs to be understood in the context of the time. On the one hand, Luke is recalling a time when life seemed safe, tradition observed, and Joseph and Mary could safely travel to register in a census and worship in the Temple.  On the othe...

Our Nativity with Gifts Our prayer for you is that you have peace in your heart, calm in your soul, joy in your spirit. Elaine and Rich

The angel Gabriel went to Mary and said,  “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary saying, "Greetings favored one, the Lord is with you." Knowing of God's presence helps Mary understand this holy interruption. She doesn't know why an angel would disrupt her daily life since angels appear and change things.  Look what happened to Hagar. And how about the angel appearing to Moses in a burning bush. These people's lives were dramatically changed. Would her life be dramatically changed too? She probably asked herself— Am I favored? Is God with me? What will this involve? Gabriel informs Mary she will conceive, bear a son and name him Jesus. The angel describes this child's identity and destiny. Yet Mary responds saying, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." The story of Mary and Gabriel doesn't include the realities of the ancient world. Mary li...

May those who sow in tears  reap with shouts of joy. Psalm 126:5 Maurice walked about a mile every Sunday from his group home to church. He seldom missed worship. In the sub-zero temperatures frequently occurring in Vermont winters, he entered the sanctuary in his flannel shirt, suspenders, work boots, and khakis. Down the left aisle he would go, greeting each person as he went. "Mornin". "Beautiful day, ain't it".  Then he would sit in a pew.  Alone in the front. One snowy Sunday right before Christmas, he didn't make it to church. Considering the weather, no one was really surprised. He wasn't in church the next Sunday either. The men's fellowship called the home to find out if he was alright. No, he wasn't. On his way to church he had slipped on black ice under the snow, fallen and broken his ankle. He was confined to bed and very depressed. Men from the fellowship visited him several times. Two days before Christmas, they all came for a visit...

 “I will send my messenger ahead of you,     who will prepare your way”  “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,     make straight paths for him. Isaiah 40:3 Sunday after Sunday 12-year-old Amy came down the center aisle of the church and sat in the second row from the front. One Sunday she brought an older woman, her, grandmother. Sunday after Sunday they came. One Sunday they brought an older man, Amy's grandfather. After church one Sunday Amy's grandmother said her husband had never been baptized. We agreed on a Sunday for his baptism. On that day Amy's grandfather stood before the congregation, said the vows and was baptized. After the service I learned that Amy's grandfather couldn't read and had memorized the vows so he would know when to answer and what to say. Amy came looking for hope. Something beyond the darkness of the poverty she lived in, a jailed mother, and an absent father.  Just like Amy, aren't we lo...

Therefore you also must be ready,  for the Son of Man is coming  at an unexpected hour. Mt. 24:44  There's a story about a young woman and her grandmother at a worship service. The guest preacher began, "I'm coming..." but forgot what came next, so he began again, "I'm coming..." but still forgot. He started forcefully again, waving his arms wildly about, and losing his balance fell right into the lap of the young woman in the front row. She let out a horrifying scream. Her grandmother turned to her and said, "What did you scream for? He said he was coming." ADVENT   is the beginning of the Christian year when God creates a new heaven and earth and the former things are not remembered. (Is 65:17)   ADVENT   is a time of expectant waiting and preparation. Waiting for both the birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.    ADVENT  is a time of soul-examination and change. For Paul that means "to set asid...

  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders. . . and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1 It is an understatement to say the fire was a tragedy. Smoke poured from the windows and doors as flames gutted the inside of the Forklift Café. Within minutes the First Responders from Dingman Township Volunteer Fire Department as well as six other companies including one from New Jersey were on the scene. The Forklift has been a part of the community for over 12 years serving both excellent meals and the community as well. Not only is the owner/chef Loriann active in the local community, she is a generous giver supporting local and global charities such as the CROPwalk. She stood fighting tears and coping with shock at her tremendous loss. As I stood beside her offering what comfort I could, a steady stream of people stopped to offer prayers and support. It was the...