SCRIPTURE
John 9:4
When I am in the world I am the light of the world.
This verse comes in the middle of a passage in which Jesus heals a man blind from birth, and we are shown a glimpse of the life that comes from faith in Christ.
We all long for spiritual illumination and moral vision. This longing is with us always, but it is especially strong as we approach the stable where God becomes human and dwells among us.
The light of the star leads us to the manger where we acknowledge our need and our desire for communion with God. May we have the grace to follow this light as we continue to work toward God’s kingdom on earth.
Genie Cooke has been a member of Riverside for 24 years. She and her husband Ham have two children; Katherine and Thurston and his wife Carla and two grandchildren Davis and Anne. Genie taught French for 27 years and loves to travel.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
December 7, by Jack Higson
SCRIPTURE
John 12: 35-36
Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
During Passion Week, Jesus tells the people of his forthcoming death: “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” In the beginning of John’s gospel he writes: “In him (God) was life, and that life was the light of men.”
Today, we tend to take light for granted. When we enter a darkened room, all we have to do is turn a switch, and we have light. When we get into our cars at night or during rainstorms, we turn a switch, and there’s light. If we go into a darkened area, we take our flash lights, and we have light. It is that easy to have light, and the light is either on or off. It is either light or dark.
Light helps us see the way. It wouldn’t be much fun to go to a night football or baseball game if there were not any lights for us to see the game. How could we possibly Christmas shop in the evening if the stores were not lighted so that we could see the merchandise? How many of us spend countless hours putting lights on our trees and houses for Christmas? Yep, we need light!!!
But wait a minute. When John was writing his gospel, I don’t think that they had light switches on their walls, or played night football, or went to the mall in their cars. So, what light was he talking about? It is widely accepted that the primary intention of John’s Gospel was evangelistic, and “the light” is a spiritual illumination. So, let me ask some of the questions from above (pun intended) about this spiritual illumination. Do we take it for granted? Is it either on or off in our lives? Do we always use it to see the way? Do we use it to determine how we want to live? Do we show others, and share with others, the spiritual light in our life?
At a time of year when we can get so focused on the specific day of Christmas and waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let’s not miss seeing Him in the days and weeks leading up to it. This spiritual light is not turned on based on a calendar date. This spiritual light is here now, today, every day. Let’s look for it in the faces and hearts of others. Let others see it in our face and our heart. Let it be a light that grows brighter and stronger with use. Let it truly “light the way” in our lives everyday.
Jack Higson is the Business Administrator for Riverside Presbyterian Church. He has four children and three grandchildren. His wife Fran is the Life Group Director and a Pre-School Teacher at their home church, Orange Park Presbyterian. Jack has served terms as a Deacon and Elder in the PCUSA. He loves hot tea with milk and sugar (an English thing) and bleeds NY Yankee blue. John’s Gospel is his favorite book of the Bible because of how it describes the significance of Christ’s works, and the purpose and relevancy to our spiritual journey.
John 12: 35-36
Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
During Passion Week, Jesus tells the people of his forthcoming death: “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” In the beginning of John’s gospel he writes: “In him (God) was life, and that life was the light of men.”
Today, we tend to take light for granted. When we enter a darkened room, all we have to do is turn a switch, and we have light. When we get into our cars at night or during rainstorms, we turn a switch, and there’s light. If we go into a darkened area, we take our flash lights, and we have light. It is that easy to have light, and the light is either on or off. It is either light or dark.
Light helps us see the way. It wouldn’t be much fun to go to a night football or baseball game if there were not any lights for us to see the game. How could we possibly Christmas shop in the evening if the stores were not lighted so that we could see the merchandise? How many of us spend countless hours putting lights on our trees and houses for Christmas? Yep, we need light!!!
But wait a minute. When John was writing his gospel, I don’t think that they had light switches on their walls, or played night football, or went to the mall in their cars. So, what light was he talking about? It is widely accepted that the primary intention of John’s Gospel was evangelistic, and “the light” is a spiritual illumination. So, let me ask some of the questions from above (pun intended) about this spiritual illumination. Do we take it for granted? Is it either on or off in our lives? Do we always use it to see the way? Do we use it to determine how we want to live? Do we show others, and share with others, the spiritual light in our life?
At a time of year when we can get so focused on the specific day of Christmas and waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let’s not miss seeing Him in the days and weeks leading up to it. This spiritual light is not turned on based on a calendar date. This spiritual light is here now, today, every day. Let’s look for it in the faces and hearts of others. Let others see it in our face and our heart. Let it be a light that grows brighter and stronger with use. Let it truly “light the way” in our lives everyday.
Jack Higson is the Business Administrator for Riverside Presbyterian Church. He has four children and three grandchildren. His wife Fran is the Life Group Director and a Pre-School Teacher at their home church, Orange Park Presbyterian. Jack has served terms as a Deacon and Elder in the PCUSA. He loves hot tea with milk and sugar (an English thing) and bleeds NY Yankee blue. John’s Gospel is his favorite book of the Bible because of how it describes the significance of Christ’s works, and the purpose and relevancy to our spiritual journey.
Friday, December 5, 2008
December 6 by Elisabeth Ball
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 5: 6-14
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
Paul’s words are very clear: in the eyes of God there is a distinct division between good and bad, between light and darkness. Our mission as Christians is to stay in the light. It sounds simple enough, but, unfortunately, so much of the world is in the gray zone—many facets of our lives are not so obviously good or bad. Simple material desires are a case in point. We can’t always tell truth from untruth. “Empty words” frequently deceive us because our own longings fill in the hollowness. We hear what we want to hear, we see what we want to see--not necessarily what God needs us to hear and see.
I want the expensive acai juice because it has antioxidants, and isn’t it good to take care of the body God gave me? Well, maybe yes, if I can afford the juice. But I also want the pricey skin cream because it promises my wrinkles will diminish. What harm can it do to try to look younger? The cold truth is this cream will not measurably lessen my wrinkles (only my bank account). Deep down, I know this fact, so why am I a sucker for the merchandiser’s empty words? I suppose it is because I as a human am by nature gullible, yet only by learning “what is pleasing to the Lord” will I be relieved of this burden. It is difficult work, but it’s the only way out of the pit of fruitless desire. This learning, this separating the good from the bad, can take a lifetime. But when we learn to discard superficial longings (for overpriced skin cream and other such fluff) we will lighten some of our heavy load.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Please help me to know what is truly good in the world. Help me to stay in the light of Christ. In this way, I can discard superficial longings that are dark and unhealthy and lighten my load. Amen.
A book lover, Elisabeth Ball will read anything that's not nailed down. She enjoys spending time with her family and new cat, Crookshanks, and being a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church.
Ephesians 5: 6-14
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”
Paul’s words are very clear: in the eyes of God there is a distinct division between good and bad, between light and darkness. Our mission as Christians is to stay in the light. It sounds simple enough, but, unfortunately, so much of the world is in the gray zone—many facets of our lives are not so obviously good or bad. Simple material desires are a case in point. We can’t always tell truth from untruth. “Empty words” frequently deceive us because our own longings fill in the hollowness. We hear what we want to hear, we see what we want to see--not necessarily what God needs us to hear and see.
I want the expensive acai juice because it has antioxidants, and isn’t it good to take care of the body God gave me? Well, maybe yes, if I can afford the juice. But I also want the pricey skin cream because it promises my wrinkles will diminish. What harm can it do to try to look younger? The cold truth is this cream will not measurably lessen my wrinkles (only my bank account). Deep down, I know this fact, so why am I a sucker for the merchandiser’s empty words? I suppose it is because I as a human am by nature gullible, yet only by learning “what is pleasing to the Lord” will I be relieved of this burden. It is difficult work, but it’s the only way out of the pit of fruitless desire. This learning, this separating the good from the bad, can take a lifetime. But when we learn to discard superficial longings (for overpriced skin cream and other such fluff) we will lighten some of our heavy load.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Please help me to know what is truly good in the world. Help me to stay in the light of Christ. In this way, I can discard superficial longings that are dark and unhealthy and lighten my load. Amen.
A book lover, Elisabeth Ball will read anything that's not nailed down. She enjoys spending time with her family and new cat, Crookshanks, and being a member of Riverside Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December 5, by Dwight Bayley
SCRIPTURE
Zephaniah 3: 14-17
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
In 1942 a group of football fans were fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and listening to the Army/Navy game on radio. Suddenly, they heard a cannon shot and turned to see a German submarine close by. A German officer and armed sailors boarded the fishing boat, accused them of sending radio messages, and threatened to blow up their fishing vessel.
The Americans insisted that they had the right to be fishing in those waters. Tensions were very high; nervousness abound. Suddenly, from the radio came a message from the sports announcer: “The moment has come! The Navy is taking to the air. The Navy receivers are coming out.: The startled Germans exited the fishing craft, boarded their sub, and were never seen again.
The author of Zephaniah reminds us of the celebration sung by the faithful remnant: sing, shout, rejoice, and exult, O Israel, because Yahweh has taken away, has cast out the menacing threat, and is ‘in your midst’ reigning as King. Fear not! Yahweh, your God, will renew you.
How refreshing to know that in spite of the conditions of our present world, that Yahweh is in control and is preparing to “bring us home.”
We’ve been waiting for a long time, longing to receive some sign that the Lord reigns supreme over his creation. That sign is almost here. So, sing, shout, rejoice and exult, because Emanuel is here!
PRAYER
O Lord, God; you have been in your creation throughout all of history because your earth and its inhabitants are important to you. Keep us diligent in our telling of your love to those around us. In our longings, may we too, find Peace on Earth! Amen.
Dr. Dwight H. Bayley, Parish Associate of Riverside Presbyterian Church loves to laugh, joke and enjoy a coke. Dwight loves people and looks forward to visiting you. His wife Sarah is the moderator of the deacons.
Zephaniah 3: 14-17
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
In 1942 a group of football fans were fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and listening to the Army/Navy game on radio. Suddenly, they heard a cannon shot and turned to see a German submarine close by. A German officer and armed sailors boarded the fishing boat, accused them of sending radio messages, and threatened to blow up their fishing vessel.
The Americans insisted that they had the right to be fishing in those waters. Tensions were very high; nervousness abound. Suddenly, from the radio came a message from the sports announcer: “The moment has come! The Navy is taking to the air. The Navy receivers are coming out.: The startled Germans exited the fishing craft, boarded their sub, and were never seen again.
The author of Zephaniah reminds us of the celebration sung by the faithful remnant: sing, shout, rejoice, and exult, O Israel, because Yahweh has taken away, has cast out the menacing threat, and is ‘in your midst’ reigning as King. Fear not! Yahweh, your God, will renew you.
How refreshing to know that in spite of the conditions of our present world, that Yahweh is in control and is preparing to “bring us home.”
We’ve been waiting for a long time, longing to receive some sign that the Lord reigns supreme over his creation. That sign is almost here. So, sing, shout, rejoice and exult, because Emanuel is here!
PRAYER
O Lord, God; you have been in your creation throughout all of history because your earth and its inhabitants are important to you. Keep us diligent in our telling of your love to those around us. In our longings, may we too, find Peace on Earth! Amen.
Dr. Dwight H. Bayley, Parish Associate of Riverside Presbyterian Church loves to laugh, joke and enjoy a coke. Dwight loves people and looks forward to visiting you. His wife Sarah is the moderator of the deacons.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
December 4, by Charles Cooper
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 119: 105-108
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.
It is safe to say that we all long for something, and I venture to add that most of us probably long for many things. Perhaps in our best moments we long for a better world, a place where all people can get along and find ways to provide for each other. But much of the time, as we all must confess, our longings are of a more profane and personal nature, however well-intended. Yet the psalmist who writes the words above has a very different kind of yearning, definitely something beyond the usual grab-bag of things we human beings long for. He longs for rules, or, more properly, for God's rules - what he calls "The Law." In fact the whole 119th psalm is actually a litany to this longing as well as an expression of the psalmist's gratitude and praise for "The Law" and a yen to live his life according to the rules. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Even if we accept a body of law as good or necessary and even as we try our best to live by it, who actually longs for it? Who would put rules and restrictions at the top of his or her Christmas wish list?
We must remind ourselves that the law the psalmist is lifting up is not like any other we know. It is nothing like our human law. Rather, this is a law which, when followed, and more importantly when loved, opens a world of possibility otherwise unavailable. It lights the path our feet must follow, even as it narrows the way, and it is only against the clarity of this light that all other paths are shown to be in darkness. Paradoxically, to follow God's law is to experience the ultimate in freedom - not freedom as the unbridled expression of our free-will, but freedom as a possibility to become what we were always meant to be. It is this law which shows us where we are going even as it assures our arrival; which preserves life, true life, despite all suffering and even death. It is this law which comforts even as it demands our obedience. Indeed, as the psalmist so skillfully reveals to us, even our own willful obedience to this law is God's ultimate gift to us, not ours to God.
Given this understanding, who would not love such a law? Or even long for it? Who would not call this law by its proper name: Jesus Christ?
Charles Cooper, an Elder at Riverside Church, is fascinated by how faithfully God finds ways to manifest His presence in unlikely places. "Always start with small things and work your way down." he has been known to mutter, often with astonishment
Psalm 119: 105-108
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.
It is safe to say that we all long for something, and I venture to add that most of us probably long for many things. Perhaps in our best moments we long for a better world, a place where all people can get along and find ways to provide for each other. But much of the time, as we all must confess, our longings are of a more profane and personal nature, however well-intended. Yet the psalmist who writes the words above has a very different kind of yearning, definitely something beyond the usual grab-bag of things we human beings long for. He longs for rules, or, more properly, for God's rules - what he calls "The Law." In fact the whole 119th psalm is actually a litany to this longing as well as an expression of the psalmist's gratitude and praise for "The Law" and a yen to live his life according to the rules. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Even if we accept a body of law as good or necessary and even as we try our best to live by it, who actually longs for it? Who would put rules and restrictions at the top of his or her Christmas wish list?
We must remind ourselves that the law the psalmist is lifting up is not like any other we know. It is nothing like our human law. Rather, this is a law which, when followed, and more importantly when loved, opens a world of possibility otherwise unavailable. It lights the path our feet must follow, even as it narrows the way, and it is only against the clarity of this light that all other paths are shown to be in darkness. Paradoxically, to follow God's law is to experience the ultimate in freedom - not freedom as the unbridled expression of our free-will, but freedom as a possibility to become what we were always meant to be. It is this law which shows us where we are going even as it assures our arrival; which preserves life, true life, despite all suffering and even death. It is this law which comforts even as it demands our obedience. Indeed, as the psalmist so skillfully reveals to us, even our own willful obedience to this law is God's ultimate gift to us, not ours to God.
Given this understanding, who would not love such a law? Or even long for it? Who would not call this law by its proper name: Jesus Christ?
Charles Cooper, an Elder at Riverside Church, is fascinated by how faithfully God finds ways to manifest His presence in unlikely places. "Always start with small things and work your way down." he has been known to mutter, often with astonishment
December 3 by Sophie Maness
SCRIPTURE
John 1: 6-9
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe in him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
I know a group of women, seven exactly, who are sent from God. They have come as a witness to the light, so that I / we might believe in him. They themselves are not the light, but they testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, is here in the world among us.
One is the mother of a young woman struggling with mental illness. An artist, she not only finds her peace in arts and spirituality, but also she helps others unbury their spirits through art.
One is a single mother whose theology and leadership open unexpected doors with joy and play inviting others into a world of possibility in Christ.
One is a minister breaking out of the mold to follow a dream and vision of what church and retreat can be when infused with art, creativity and energy.
One is a cancer survivor, a businesswoman and someone who can’t sit still for thinking of ways to love others.
One is organized and creative all at once and when the rug got pulled out from underneath her at work, picked herself up and has moved forward with faith, generosity and kindness.
One is a seamstress, a cook, a recreation leader who moves with a gentle force to make ministry happen in all kinds of settings.
One is a minister to young people and all people, who can multitask with the best of them yet slow down enough to hear your heart.
Each of these women has faced life’s challenges head on. None of them has been without pain and heartache, much like the rest of us. BUT, they all have a heart for play and laughter and light. They have walked with me through the valley of darkness and have helped me see the true light. They have let their light shine by simply being themselves and opening up to each other.
John was the witness to the light to come.
John was the witness to the light to come.
These women have been witnesses to me and so many others of the light that is. I think the Gospel of John could be an invitation all of us to “let our light shine.”
PRAYER
Great God, as you sent John to be a witness to your light to come, help us, guide us, to be a witness now to the light among us. Amen.
Sophie Maness is the Director of Christian Education at RPC and is married to Roger Manes. She has twins, Sophie-Ann and Jerry who are 11th graders and Elle, a yellow lab. Sophie enjoys a diet coke every day, a good laugh, her daily workout with Michelle and of couse we all know she loves chocolate!
PRAYER
Great God, as you sent John to be a witness to your light to come, help us, guide us, to be a witness now to the light among us. Amen.
Sophie Maness is the Director of Christian Education at RPC and is married to Roger Manes. She has twins, Sophie-Ann and Jerry who are 11th graders and Elle, a yellow lab. Sophie enjoys a diet coke every day, a good laugh, her daily workout with Michelle and of couse we all know she loves chocolate!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
December 2 by Jamie Hoener
Mark 13: 33-37
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.
This passage comes to us in the context of Jesus’ prophecy to his disciples (as detailed earlier in Chapter 13) of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem – an eventuality that was inconceivable to the disciples at the time (“Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”), but of course came to pass with the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Jesus exhorts his disciples to not be distracted from their calling by these distressing events to come, and repeatedly urges them to “keep awake.” We hear these words again at the beginning of this Advent season as we seek to recollect the hope brought by the coming of the Christ child, and as we look forward to the promise of God’s ultimate restoration and renewal of all of creation. In recent years, as the deadlines and commitments of modern life have at times overwhelmed me, and I have relied primarily on Starbucks in order to “keep awake,” I have found myself eagerly anticipating the Advent season. As winter approaches and the days become shorter, I long to join in the natural rhythm of God’s creation – to slow down, to rest and to reflect. At first blush, my natural inclination to slow down would seem to conflict with Jesus’ charge to “keep awake.” But perhaps, at this time, with global financial markets crumbling all around us in a way that was inconceivable to most of us before this year, with the resulting anxiety and needs within us and our community, in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, and with conflict tearing at the fabric of our society, our denomination, and even our own congregation at times, in this moment, we are called to truly awaken to what is going on inside of us and all around us. Perhaps, we are called during this season of preparation to take time each day (if only for a few moments) to be still, to breathe in and breathe out, and to wake up to our deepest capacity for love, compassion and understanding. In so doing, I pray that during this Advent season we may not only anticipate the celebration of the God who was first, or look forward to the fulfillment of the God who is last, but that we may also awaken to the living one who is our source of love, healing and reconciliation, and that we may, in our response, manifest the compassionate presence of God in this broken and anxious world. Maranatha (“Come, Lord Jesus”)!
Jamie Hoener
Jamie Hoener is an Elder at Riverside. His wife, Sonya, has enjoyed cracking jokes about the irony of the "king of naps" being asked to reflect on the meaning of "keep awake". Their Calico cat, Bunny, is not amused
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.
This passage comes to us in the context of Jesus’ prophecy to his disciples (as detailed earlier in Chapter 13) of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem – an eventuality that was inconceivable to the disciples at the time (“Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!”), but of course came to pass with the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. Jesus exhorts his disciples to not be distracted from their calling by these distressing events to come, and repeatedly urges them to “keep awake.” We hear these words again at the beginning of this Advent season as we seek to recollect the hope brought by the coming of the Christ child, and as we look forward to the promise of God’s ultimate restoration and renewal of all of creation. In recent years, as the deadlines and commitments of modern life have at times overwhelmed me, and I have relied primarily on Starbucks in order to “keep awake,” I have found myself eagerly anticipating the Advent season. As winter approaches and the days become shorter, I long to join in the natural rhythm of God’s creation – to slow down, to rest and to reflect. At first blush, my natural inclination to slow down would seem to conflict with Jesus’ charge to “keep awake.” But perhaps, at this time, with global financial markets crumbling all around us in a way that was inconceivable to most of us before this year, with the resulting anxiety and needs within us and our community, in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, and with conflict tearing at the fabric of our society, our denomination, and even our own congregation at times, in this moment, we are called to truly awaken to what is going on inside of us and all around us. Perhaps, we are called during this season of preparation to take time each day (if only for a few moments) to be still, to breathe in and breathe out, and to wake up to our deepest capacity for love, compassion and understanding. In so doing, I pray that during this Advent season we may not only anticipate the celebration of the God who was first, or look forward to the fulfillment of the God who is last, but that we may also awaken to the living one who is our source of love, healing and reconciliation, and that we may, in our response, manifest the compassionate presence of God in this broken and anxious world. Maranatha (“Come, Lord Jesus”)!
Jamie Hoener
Jamie Hoener is an Elder at Riverside. His wife, Sonya, has enjoyed cracking jokes about the irony of the "king of naps" being asked to reflect on the meaning of "keep awake". Their Calico cat, Bunny, is not amused
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