In late November and early December 2012, Lavone and I were priviledged to be on sabbatical in the Holy Land. During that time we visited Bethlehem and found this nativity carving. It has since become a Christmas icon in our home during Advent and Christmas. We love the symbolism of this nativity—the Holy Couple, with …
Tag Archives: Christmas
No, Mary Didn’t Know
Of course, that is the point of the song, isn’t it? Mary could never have guessed all that her child, hers yet God’s, would do. The exploits, the healing, the mastery of all powers earthly and heavenly, and the use of them all to love people whole and well. Then again, had Mary thought about what …
Christmas Transformation
The message of Christmas means that things are not what they seem, that a new world has dawned so that we find ourselves on the front edge of powerful and beautiful realities worthy of the Maker who became like the made in order to re-make everything better than new. In the jubilant words of Mother …
Praying for a Mary-Christmas
How surprised Mary was! One day—I imagine it to be morning, but maybe it was at night, just before sleeping—an angel appears. I resist the temptation to mythologize the story by assuming that angel-appearances were to be expected, since this is the Bible. No, Mary had never seen an angel, and wasn’t sure about the …
Jesus Comes for Us–Precisely for All!
The Lord our God loves, chooses, and works with/through a people to right the wrong of their lives and world, whatever, however, whenever. But, the Lord does so, not just for them, but for all, for as many as will … The Lord loves his own, so that he may love all. The Lord …