61, 62, 112, 115
Isaiah 11:1-9 Revelations 20:1-10 John 5:30-47
Hallelujah!
Happy are those who fear the Lord,
who greatly delight in his commandments.
In 2011, Hallmark Cards ran a commercial prior to Christmas. It was a timely one and it began with a young soldier in Iraq seated on his bunk in a small, dark room. After a few moments, he pulled out his footlocker from under his bunk, and brought out a brightly wrapped package. He unwrapped it and smiled. It was the book: A Charlie Brown Christmas which he had always read to his son. Opening it, he hears Sam: “To Dad, Love, Sam”. He turns the page, and Sam reads: “Charlie Brown spotted a small, straggly pine tree…” After a few moments of silence, this appeared on the screen.
Traditions are not for keeping. Traditions are for keeping us together. These words reminded me of how important they are in my family and in the Church. We are Biblical, Historical, Theological, Sacramental, Incarnational, Liturgical, and Pragmatic. Each of these are part of our Traditions and they bind us together in a common story of faith. In good times and bad, they are a deep well of wisdom and show us the way of hope, love, and faith. They bind us together in ways we may never understand, but in ways that are trusted. When all seems lost, they are the way forward, together as one.
Gracious God, who has shown us the Way of Love: Grant that we may search you out and discern and do your will in love. Amen.
Listen to Nancy read her Advent meditation and prayer:
One Response
Hi Nancy! It was so nice to have your familiar and distinctive voice speaking to me in my living room in Washington this morning, even for just a couple of minutes. I hope you are well, as we are. Thank you for the blessing of your presence today. Love to you. Mary Green ’92