A Year in the Church

Ash Wednesday

2008-02-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

My journey through the church calendar has been slow. That is, I took quite a break. That's too bad, too, because I missed much of the Epiphany season and the beginning of the Lenten season. Well, I'm back now.

Ash Wednesday was actually more than a week ago now. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the season in which Christians prepare their hearts for Holy Week, which includes Good Friday and Easter. Lent is to Easter as Advent is to Christmas. The difference is that Advent is a time of joyous preparation and anticipation, whereas Lent is a time of more solemn meditation as we contemplate the agonizing sacrifice that Jesus made by allowing Himself to be crucified for us.

This is a prayer that many people pray on Ash Wednesday:

Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Epiphany

2008-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

O Christ, our true and only light,

Illumine those who sit in night;

Let those afar now hear Thy voice,

And in Thy fold with us rejoice.

Fill with the radiance of Thy grace

The souls now lost in error's maze,

And all whom in their secret minds

Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

And all who else have strayed from Thee,

O gently seek! Thy healing be

To every wounded conscience given,

And let them also share Thy heaven.

O make the dear to hear Thy word,

And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,

Who dare not yet the faith avow,

Though secretly they hold it now.

Shine on the darkened and the cold,

Recall the wanderers from Thy fold,

Unite all those who walk apart,

Confirm the weak and doubting heart.

So they with us may evermore

Such grace with wondering thanks adore,

And endless praise to Thee be given

By all Thy Church in earth and heaven.

--J. Heermann, 1630.

A word about Epiphany

2008-01-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

Epiphany celebrates the light of God given to the world through Jesus. There is some variation in the way the date is scheduled. Many celebrate it on January 6, twelve days after Christmas, while others observe it on the first Sunday after New Year's. This year those two methods coincided. Some Christians observe Epiphany as a day to commemorate Jesus' visit from the Magi, while still other Christians choose to reflect on Jesus' baptism.

The church calendar is not Scripturally mandated; it is a man-made, man-conceived tool purposed to strengthen the Church body. Keeping that in mind, it is obvious that there is not a right or wrong way to reflect on Scripture during any given season. Observing the church calendar is not an obligation of being a Christian. It's just a tool. If you find it to be a helpful tool, great. If not, don't follow it. That's what I think anyway.

You can read more about Epiphany here.

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T20:14:00.001-08:00

Holy night! Peaceful night!

Through the darkness beams a light,

Yonder, where they sweet vigils keep

O'er the Babe who, in silent sleep,

Rests in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holiest night!

Darkness flies, and all is light!

Shepherds hear the angels sing:

"Hallelujah! Hail the King!

Jesus the Savior is here!"

Jesus the Savior is here!

Silent night! Holiest night!

Guiding Star, O lend they light!

See the eastern wise men bring

Gifts and homage to our King!

Jesus the Savior is here!

Silent night! Holiest night!

Wondrous Star, O lend thy light!

With the angels let us sing

Hallelujah to our King

Jesus our Savior is here!

--J. Mohr, 1818.

Fourth Sunday in Advent

2007-12-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

When Jesus enters meek and lowly,

To fill the home with sweetest peace;

When hearts have felt His blessing holy,
And found from sins complete release,

Then light and calm within shall reign,

And hearts divided love again.

--M.B. Landstad, 1863.

Mourning and other electives

2007-12-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

I just read Lauren Winner's Mudhouse Sabbath. Winner converted from Judaism to Christianity a decade ago, and this book sums up her observations of the differences in similarities of the two religions. That is, she talks about some of the practices that are common to both religions - prayer, fasting, weddings, burials, hospitality, etc. - and explains why she thinks Judaism does those things better than Christianity. That sounds presumptuous and judgmental, but Winner explains it all quite nicely, despite the fact that she seems to use the book as a venue to show off her vocabulary. She really just says that Christians have belief down (I would hope she thinks that, since she is now a Christian), but that we're lacking in the action department. She talks about the strong and ancient Jewish traditions that provide the Jewish community with a continuity, a faithfulness, and a sense of identity.

Winner goes on to recognize that Christians are not meant to practice the same disciplines - or at least, not the same intricacies of the disciplines - that are required of Jews. Not only are we not bound by Levitical law, but we also owe no allegiance to rabbinical rules, the huge list of detailed "clarification" of the Law. There is great freedom in following Jesus, in abiding by the new covenant. Perhaps, though, Winner seems to suggest, we have thrown the baby out with the bath water by abandoning the actual practice of so many disciplines. We still talk about them and preach them, but they are not always lived out, in solitude or community.

For example, Winner talks about burials. Both Christianity and Judaism have rituals associated with death (there are many variations among Christian denominations). We both have a service of some kind, we both bring food and flowers and comfort to the bereaved. But in the Jewish community, the process of mourning is not only allowed - it is required. There is a seven-day period of mourning, a month long period of mourning, a year long period of mourning (each period requiring different actions), and thereafter the dead are intentionally remembered each year on the anniversary of their death. Rigorous? Yes. Healthy? I think so. Christianity has, in recent years at least, brushed over mourning. We can grieve on our own, in private, for as long as we'd like, but it is uncouth to mourn publicly for more than a few weeks after a loved one's death. Why is that? The closest thing we have to an extended period of public mourning is a support group. Support groups are great, but they should not replace the church.

I don't think this cavalier attitude towards mourning has always been prevalent in the church. Until recent decades, it was common for mourners to wear black clothing for a period of time and to disengage from social activities. There were wakes and graveside services and plaques attached to the pews where the loved ones used to sit. And those things still happen in some Christian communities - I don't mean to make a blanket statement covering all of Christianity - but they are not as commonplace as they used to be. I wonder what happened? I think that it is important for Christians to realize that we do have the assurance of seeing our fellow believers again; death is not the end. But somehow we have turned that hope into a Pollyanna attitude of nothing but sunshine all the time; we have taken away our own privilege of mourning. And I think we are worse off for it. There is no opportunity for God to turn mourning into dancing if we insist on dancing from the beginning.

This isn't a great Advent post; it would be better reserved for Lent. But it is on my mind today, having just finished the book, and so I share it with you.

Third Sunday in Advent

2007-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

(Please forgive the tardiness of this post.)

The only Son from heaven,

Foretold by ancient seers,

By God, the Father, given,

In human shape appears;

No sphere His light confining,

No star so brightly shining

As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,

O bright and holy morn!

He comes, the King anointed,

The Christ, the virgin-born;

His home on earth He maketh,

And man of heaven partaketh,

Of life again an heir.

O Lord, our hearts awaken,

To know and love Thee more,

In faith to stand unshaken,

In Spirit to adore,

That we still heavenward hasting,

Yet here Thy joy foretasting,

May reap its fulness there.

--Elisabeth Cruciger, 1524.

No Room

2007-12-14T12:10:00.001-08:00

My daughter has been singing this song from her Christmas program all morning:

No room in the inn

But You will find room in my heart,

Lord Jesus.

No room in the inn

But You will find room in my heart.

Of course, her two-year-old version of it sounds more like this:

No woom in da inn

But You will find woom in mine heart,

Yord Jesus.

Second Sunday in Advent

2007-12-09T22:30:00.000-08:00

Rise, children of the kingdom!
The King is drawing nigh;
Arise, and hail with gladness
The Ruler from on high.
Ye Christians, hasten forth!
Your praise and homage bring Him,
And glad Hosannas sing Him;
Naught else your love is worth.

Arise, ye drooping mourners!
The King is very near;
Away with grief and sorrow,
For lo! your help is here.
Behold, in many a place -
O blessed consolation! -
We find Him, our salvation,
In His pure means of grace.

Arise, ye much afflicted!
The King is not afar;
Rejoice, ye long dejected!
Behold the Morning Star.
The Lord will give you joy;
Though troubles now distress you,
With comfort He will bless you,
E'en death He will destroy.

Arise, ye poor and needy!
The King provides for you;
He comes with succor speedy,
With mercy ever new.
Receive your gracious King,
The giver of all blessing,
Hail Him, His name confessing,
And glad Hosannas sing.

O rich the gifts Thou bring'st us,
Thyself made poor and weak;
O love beyond expression,
That thus can sinners seek!
For this, O Lord, will we
Our joyous tribute bring Thee,
And glad Hosannas sing Thee,
And ever grateful be.

--J. Rist, 1651

A right way and a wrong way

2007-12-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

This is my pastor's Advent letter, which we received in the mail yesterday:

"...We are at the beginning of Advent and we need to be careful...really careful. Let me share a description of Advent with you and then tell you why I'm a bit worried.

Advent (closest Sunday to November 30th until Christmas Eve) is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world...

The next few weeks are meant to act as a time of great anticipation...the recognition of a growing hunger that can only be slaked by the arrival of the Christ-child. This season is meant to take the emphasis off of ugly, selfish living and turn it instead to the ultimate freedom found in relating to the Babe of Bethlehem. Slavery to anything is scheduled to come face to face with the Author of Freedom. Advent says, "Life has been tough, but better times are coming! Release is just around the corner and I can hardly wait!"

At the end of the weeks of Advent we are to figuratively explode with relief. The 'hopes and fears of all the years' are to meet their match in the Son of God. The Christmas season should be one long and exuberant crescendo leading us into the presence of the One who has the potential to satisfy everyone and every longing.

What shape will you be in when Advent delivers you to the door of the manger? What breathless wonder and anticipation will have evaporated under the heat lamps of commercialism? What tiny 'baby-voiced' message will have been beaten out by the shrillness of the marketer's ads? Will the only 'wonder' left in you be the question of how everything will be paid for?

It's not too late to make an investment in a Christmas with a quiet yet focused view on the arrival to earth of a Savior. Pardon the play on words, but 'savor the Savior' in a special way for the next three weeks.

Start now...before the pace is set for you. Establish personal parameters of peace that will bring you breathlessly into His Birthday celebration. Breathless over wonder and awe, not because of pace."

Pastor Paul

First Sunday in Advent

2007-12-02T21:05:00.001-08:00

O how shall I receive Thee,

How meet Thee on Thy way;

Blest hope of every nation,

My soul's delight and stay?

O Jesus, Jesus, give me,

By Thine illuming light,

To know whate'er is pleasing

And welcome in Thy sight.

Thy Zion palms is strewing

With branches fresh and fair;

And every soul awaking,

Her anthem shall prepare;

Perpetual thanks and praises

Forth from our hearts shall spring;

And to Thy name the service

Of all our powers we bring.

O ye who sorrow, sinking

Beneath your grief and pain,

Rejoice in His appearing,

Who shall your souls sustain:

He comes, He comes with gladness!

How great is His good-will!

He comes, all grief and anguish

Shall at His word be still.

Ye who with guilty terror

Are trembling, fear no more;

With love and grace the Savior

Shall you to hope restore:
He comes, who contrite sinners

Will with the children place,

The children of His Father,

The heirs of life and grace.

He comes, the Lord, to judgment;

Woe, woe to them who hate!

To those who love and seek Him

He opes the heavenly gate.

Come quickly, gracious Savior,

And gather us to Thee,

That in the light eternal

Our joyous home may be.

-P. Gerhardt, 1653

Welcome

2007-12-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to A Year in the Church. On this blog I will be posting readings and other material that I find relevant to my own personal journey through the church calendar. Please be aware that I am not a member of the clergy. I am not even a member of a liturgical church. I come from a contemporary evangelical Christian background and only within the last few years have I become interested in liturgy and church traditions. I do not mean to belittle, misinterpret, or violate any religious tradition here. I am simply observing the church calendar as best I can, inasmuch as its traditions and practices are aligned with my own beliefs, for my own devotional and educational purposes. You are welcome to join me.