Merry Christmas!
“Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spellbound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something quite new will break over you: God will come.”
“Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate runs the longing for the last Advent, when the word will be: “see, I am making all things new” (Rev. 21:5). The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, that is, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.”
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. God Is in the Manger
For us to wait in eager anticipation of something new, first we must become discontent with what is and believe that there is something better that can be.
The older I get, the easier both attitudes come.
There is such a thing as holy discontent.
I am weary of what is…terribly weary of the division, the strife, the lack of love and the specter of death that hangs over everything and has since the fall.
I am weary of the pandemic…the greatest symptom of which seems to be the death of empathy.
I am weary of false gospels that announce bad news for most and good news only for those who agree with the herald.
I am weary of trying to be different than the things that weary me and knowing that I’m not much different at all.
When my weariness grinds me into silence, however, I hear words afresh that i have become deaf to through repetition…
““Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 ESV)
No need to fear…
Good news…
For all people…
For me.
For you.
You will hear it and have joy.
All things will be new…
Wait.
God will come.
Merry Christmas to all…
Michael,
For me, the biggest message of Christmas is He came, He lived, He died, and He rose again! That gives me hope for the future because what He has done to save my soul is my future-with Him and all others who know Him, in heaven. That, to me, is the biggest message of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and yours (Princess Cats included!).
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Linn…
Merry Christmas 🎄 and blessings for healthy and happy 2022 🎆
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!
Elena,
Merry Christmas and blessings to you, my friend…
Merry Christmas, Dan!
Merry Christmas Michael!
Merry Christmas, Mike!
“for ALL people..”
God help us to not be discouraged by the rectors of the incredible gift!
Our PBS is broadcasting the Wheaton College choir singing Christmas music. I am taking time out to sit, read here and enjoy
A God blessed Christmas to all who visit Michael’s website, I pray
Duane,
Thanks so much for all your contributions on here. My walk with Christ has been deeply enriched.
I’m going to use this prayer tonight with my family — wife and kids and their spouses. I deeply appreciate the background you gave, too.
A blessed Christmas to you and to all here!
Merry Christmas, Preacher!!
Merry Christmas, CK!
@1:56
It did it again! ! ! … sigh…..
NOT rectors! Rejectors of the Faith
Potent words, Michael. I too feel weary tonight. Of so much that has been and perhaps even more of what will come.
I was sitting here, in silence earlier, and I thought that I might never before have identified as closely with the weary mother Mary feeling all of her humanity. Yes has a cost.
I look forward to the birth and the angel choir. Merry Christmas to you, and All Peace.
Alexandra
Alexandra,
Prayers for peace and blessings for you and yours…may it be a Merry Christmas for you all…
Wishing everyone here at PP a blessed Christmas.
Tonight our grandson (that we live with and see everyday) is playing in a Christmas orchestra, but I honestly don’t have a peace about sitting in an enclosed room with 200 people for 2 hours.. We have all our family 10 grandkids (3 families) coming to visit us 2 days after Christmas. We are all going to take covid tests and after that just hug, laugh, play, and have a great time. I do not want to take a chance of missing out of seeing all the kids because I go to a concert tonight, but I feel so conflicted. We have decided to play it “better safe than sorry.” What crazy days we live in. I don’t post much these days, but I love you all and pray for you as I see your needs. God bless us all this Christmas.
Nonnie,
You’re always welcome and much appreciated.
Those are hard decisions, but I think you chose the right course…we couldn’t find any home tests to buy…
Bob1
Merry Christmas!
A Nonnie Appearance!!!
My family is here, my wife spent 3 days preparing the house, bought a ton of food. Had a great meal and hang time with my 5 year old grandson. Tomorrow, open gifts and stockings and I’m cooking prime rib on the traeger…and it’s snowing and sticking. Expecting between 1 and 3 inches in the am. Hoping to take my grandson sledding in the morning.
You all enjoy this Christmas…and your family.
Great time of ch
Merry Christmas Michael!
Merry Christmas, London!
Merry Christmas, all PP folk!
Michael, it’s been about 14-15 years since I first came on your blog. Thank you for your patience, acceptance, and understanding of the process of detoxing from bad church situations. I have learned much here and appreciate the perspectives. Most of all, I am so grateful to understand how others worship the Lord outside my own traditions. You have always emphasized the fundamentals…the gospel is the beginning and the end and all other ancillary doctrines merely take a stab at informing that mystery.
Amen, Linnea, AEN!!!
Chores are down here, Roast is roasting and expecting four neighbors to share Christmas dinner.
**** MERRY. AND BLESSED JESUS’ BIRTHDAY CEKEBRATION TO ALL. ***
LONDON SIGHTING? YEA!
Looks like a few of the old gang showed up. Just goes to show you…when we come together in the name of Christ, in the Spirit of grace, and in the hope of healing and reconciliation…..all things are possible. God bless us all.
London!!!
Wow! Long time no see
Linnea,
Thank you for the kind words and for being such a faithful friend for so long…blessings to you and yours…
You all know our family had a tragedy this year, so this was a difficult Christmas for us all.
Since the week preceding Thanksgiving til today, we have had company. Normally everyone goes back home after Thanksgiving, but our daughter’s health became dire the Friday after, so they all started coming back, including Minnesota friends, and even more for her funeral. I’ve been fixing large meals and changing sheets for over a month now, and it was helpful to have something useful to do, but I am looking forward to some quiet time now and letting the house go to wrack and ruin for a while. We have such a wonderful family.
Russian Orthodox Christmas is Jan 7 and we are going to minimalize it this year because we are exhausted from hospitals, holidays, picking fam up from airports, funeral arrangements, Thanksgiving/Western Christmas/ family birthday meals, baking, thank you cards, financial complications, getting presents for/from folks, etc. I just might sleep thru Ortho Christmas- I don’t think Christ will be upset.
I am so glad our daughter was able to move back to California, even if she only lasted for the month of November. I am so blessed I got to be with her when she took her first breath and her last breath.
Nevertheless, Christ is born! Glorify Him!
And I love you all. 🙂
Xenia,
Our hearts and prayers have been with you through this tragedy.
You are greatly respected and loved…may our Lord be with you and your family as you move forward.
Xenia
We continue to pray for you and yours…
Oh Xenia…I’m so sorry. Agree with Michael– you are respected and loved. I pray that the Lord in his tender love, will gently restore you and your family and give you much needed rest, peace, and encouragement.
Thank you Michael, Duane and Linnea. We are having a tough time, but we’ll be ok.
Xenia, I know many here are praying for you. May our Heavenly Father embrace you and your husband in His loving care. To lose a child has to be one of life’s most difficult experiences. Weeping, in hope, with you.
Xenia,
I’ m so sorry to hear this. God’s blessings upon you and your husband. You’ve been a good example here over the years and I appreciate your input.
Xenia, I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I had no idea, I hardly wander from the prayer thread these days. (((((hugs)))))
Merry Christmas to all my friends/family at Phoenix Preacher. Much love to Captain Kevin,, Michael, Em, Nonnie, Linnea, Xenia, pstmark, bob1, Dan form Georgia, Duane, London. to everyone….always remembering each of you in prayer. The love I have for each of you makes it such a privilege for me to pray for you and with you.
Praising God for giving us His Son to save us. And that we get to pray to Him. That He brought me to this safe place to form lasting bonds with so many here.
Happy Birthday Jesus!!! Thank You, our Redeemer, for saving us and loving us so much. Thank You for showing us how to walk in the will of the Father. Thank You for teaching us how to pray and how to love.