A beautiful clay nativity scene from Peru shows the Holy Family as a homeless family, whilst the more wealthy observers look down from their balconies.
A prayer from displaced Peruvian people...
God, our promised land, Christ, our way, our journey has become long and hard because we wander about like nomads not knowing where to go. We are strangers in our own land, without bread, a roof, a future. But you came to find us with your life-giving breath. You, who are also displaced, have become an exile with us. you offer us anew the promised land. Your spirit urges us toward that joyous homecoming,
This image comes from Nicaragua. The banner being carried by the messenger/angel reads "I come to tell them that in Nicaragua the new man has been born'
We used a version of the Lord's Prayer from Nicaragua...
Our Father, who art in this our land, May your name be blessed in our incessant search for justice and peace. May your Kingdom come For those who have for centuries awaited a life with dignity. May your will be done on earth and in heaven And in the Church of Central America, A church on the side of the poor. Give us today our daily bread to build a new society. Forgive us our trespasses, Do let let us fall into the temptation Of believing ourselves already new men and women. And deliver us from the evil of war And from the evil of forgetting that our lives And the life of this country are in your hands.
The story from Genesis 2 relates to what one writer termed 'the human propensity to f*** things up' - or, sin, or the simple truth that freedom brings responsibility, and choices have consequences.
Personal or corporate, commission or omission, ignorance, weakness or deliberate fault... humans mess up.
Thankfully, God forgives us not once, not 70 x 7 times, but every single time.
Today is a 'heavy' theme, inviting us to recall our regrets - but we do so in order to let them go, to be forgiven, healed and renewed.
(Oh, and it really wasn't an apple, or why would we still eat them?!)
Illustrations from a children's book of the Huron Carol
'twas in the moon of winter-time when all the birds had fled, that mighty gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead; before the light the stars grew dim, and wondering hunters herd the hymn: "Jesus your king is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria."
within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found, a raged robe of rabbit skin enwrapp'd his beauty round; but as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high...
the earliest moon of winter-time is not so round and fair, as was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there; the chiefs from far before him knelt with gifts of fox and beaver pelt...
O children of the forest free, O sons of Manitou, The Holy Child of earth and heaven Is born today for you. Come kneel before the radiant Boy Who brings you beauty, peace and joy...
Today I have the first cup of Advent Calendar tea! It is a blend called 'Spooky Spice.' I expect it's aimed at Halloween rather than Advent, but never mind, 'spooky' is one of the words I use to describe the moments when I sense the activity of God's Spirit in my life.
So, I have my cup of tea, and I open up the first reading from 'Honest Advent' and it focuses on the story of the Annunciation, and invites us to ponder the kind of revelations we might invite, and the kind of revelations we actually experience.
I have a 'hmm' moment, flashing back to the second Sunday in Advent 1997, and the incredible moment that God spoke to me with unmistakable clarity, calling me to ordained ministry 'you, preach the word, be ready in season and out of season.' Almost quarter of a century later (how on earth - or in heaven - did that happen) I still feel that mix of terror and certainty, as I knew that to say 'yes' would irrevocably change my life.
Sometimes, I feel like a grumpy old minister, cynical with age, and then in a spooky moment, God touches me afresh.
If you read this chapter of this book, do so carefully, and take it seriously - saying 'yes' to God will mess with your life-plans...
At its best, it will be so incredibly wonderful, and at its worst, so utterly awful, but in it all, you will know that for this God called you - here I am am Lord, let it be to me according to your will.
