Pax et Bonum
The weekly e-newsletter and online worship resource from St. James ParishHail! Holy Light, offspring of heaven, first born!
John Milton
John Milton
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ manifested in the flesh,
Christ justified in the Spirit.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ contemplated by the angels,
Christ proclaimed by the pagans.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ who is believed in the world,
Christ exalted in glory.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Canticle for evening prayer,
Based on I Timothy 3:16
Epiphany
The season of Epiphany begins this Friday, January 6, the traditional day that the magi visited the Christ Child. No one knows the true date of either Christ's birth or the visit of these enigmatic wise men.
There is evidence, however, that nearly two years had passed since the Child was born, by the time they made it to the house in Bethlehem. There, they graced the Child and his family with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold: a gift for a king, costly, rare in those days, and beautiful. Frankincense: a resin from the sap of a rare tree, as valuable a commodity along the trade routes as gold itself, it symbolized Christ's priestly ministry. Myrrh another resin from a rare tree, used in embalming in Egypt a fit gift for a priest/king that would one day lay his life down for the sins of the world.
The Epiphany holds even more meaning for us it is the day that those outside of God's chosen people came to worship at the feet of Christ. The magi were from the East and there is much conjecture as to their own religious beliefs. In any case, they were gentiles, yet saw the significance of this Jewish child and his impact on the greater world. With their coming came Epiphany an enlightening a revelation of truth that was far reaching.
Let this season of revelation the season of Light, reveal to you this precious Child/Man Jesus, and his kingly/priestly gifts to us who are his children.
Christ manifested in the flesh,
Christ justified in the Spirit.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ contemplated by the angels,
Christ proclaimed by the pagans.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Christ who is believed in the world,
Christ exalted in glory.
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Canticle for evening prayer,
Based on I Timothy 3:16
Epiphany
The season of Epiphany begins this Friday, January 6, the traditional day that the magi visited the Christ Child. No one knows the true date of either Christ's birth or the visit of these enigmatic wise men.
There is evidence, however, that nearly two years had passed since the Child was born, by the time they made it to the house in Bethlehem. There, they graced the Child and his family with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold: a gift for a king, costly, rare in those days, and beautiful. Frankincense: a resin from the sap of a rare tree, as valuable a commodity along the trade routes as gold itself, it symbolized Christ's priestly ministry. Myrrh another resin from a rare tree, used in embalming in Egypt a fit gift for a priest/king that would one day lay his life down for the sins of the world.
The Epiphany holds even more meaning for us it is the day that those outside of God's chosen people came to worship at the feet of Christ. The magi were from the East and there is much conjecture as to their own religious beliefs. In any case, they were gentiles, yet saw the significance of this Jewish child and his impact on the greater world. With their coming came Epiphany an enlightening a revelation of truth that was far reaching.
Let this season of revelation the season of Light, reveal to you this precious Child/Man Jesus, and his kingly/priestly gifts to us who are his children.
O God, who by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN
Collect for Epiphany, BCP 214
Three Wise Women
If there had been three wise women, would the Epiphany story have been different? You bet it would!
They would have asked for directions, arrived early, delivered the baby, cleaned the stable, cooked the dinner, and brought practical gifts. God bless wise women!
From Women's Uncommon Prayers
If there had been three wise women, would the Epiphany story have been different? You bet it would!
They would have asked for directions, arrived early, delivered the baby, cleaned the stable, cooked the dinner, and brought practical gifts. God bless wise women!
From Women's Uncommon Prayers
Debra's Mid-week Meditation
"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Mark 1:9-11
This icon creates an image that points to the cosmic nature of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan by John.
Many pictures of this event leave out the crowd that would have been witnesses and we see only Jesus, John, and the dove which symbolizes the Holy Spirit-conveyer of God's word.
Icon from Moldova
Mark 1:9-11
This icon creates an image that points to the cosmic nature of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan by John.
Many pictures of this event leave out the crowd that would have been witnesses and we see only Jesus, John, and the dove which symbolizes the Holy Spirit-conveyer of God's word.
Icon from Moldova
The classic Russian icon lets us into the picture--we, too, as members of the crowd, may be present for Jesus' Baptism. Indeed, this is a Holy moment but it is not a secret moment.
The eyes that were created by the Father are good enough to see the Son. We are participants at this event which begins Jesus' active ministry in the world.
Why, I wonder, would God include us in this intimate and yet world changing moment?
Could it be that the signs of the Spirit in the dove and the signs of transformation in the river are our touchstones of hope?
Each sigh of birdsong and each drop of water may become for us a sign of Jesus' real presence in the world.
Blessed Baptism
that sets us free!
Blessings to You,
Debra
The eyes that were created by the Father are good enough to see the Son. We are participants at this event which begins Jesus' active ministry in the world.
Why, I wonder, would God include us in this intimate and yet world changing moment?
Could it be that the signs of the Spirit in the dove and the signs of transformation in the river are our touchstones of hope?
Each sigh of birdsong and each drop of water may become for us a sign of Jesus' real presence in the world.
Blessed Baptism
that sets us free!
Blessings to You,
Debra
Lord Jesus,
Make yourself to me
A living, bright reality.
More present to faith's vision keen
Than any outward object seen.
Hudson Taylor
Make yourself to me
A living, bright reality.
More present to faith's vision keen
Than any outward object seen.
Hudson Taylor
This week at St. James:
Saturday: Confirmation class participates in Night Watch, at St. John the Divine in New York
Sunday: 9:00 Youth Liturgy
10:15 Youth Breakfast
11:45 Inquirer's class in the Parish Library
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist in the Meditation Chapel
We will be beginning a book study of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia." If you are interested in participating, please email me and let me know. LP
Prayers, ETC.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudolph
Tamara Dave and Marianne M.L.I. Owen Kent
Jeffrey Brittany Bill Jason David Debbie Sue
For our seminarian Laura and her husband Lyle
For those who are deployed and their families
In light of General Convention occurring this summer, I ask you to pray the following prayer often:
Prayer for Unity of the Church
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Christ our Lord. AMEN (BCP 818)
In Closing:
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down:
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our king.
W. Chatterton Dix
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. AMEN
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+
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Saturday: Confirmation class participates in Night Watch, at St. John the Divine in New York
Sunday: 9:00 Youth Liturgy
10:15 Youth Breakfast
11:45 Inquirer's class in the Parish Library
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist in the Meditation Chapel
We will be beginning a book study of C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia." If you are interested in participating, please email me and let me know. LP
Prayers, ETC.
For those on our prayer list:
Ellie Anna Nancy Tony Joel Arabella Mark Rudolph
Tamara Dave and Marianne M.L.I. Owen Kent
Jeffrey Brittany Bill Jason David Debbie Sue
For our seminarian Laura and her husband Lyle
For those who are deployed and their families
In light of General Convention occurring this summer, I ask you to pray the following prayer often:
Prayer for Unity of the Church
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Christ our Lord. AMEN (BCP 818)
In Closing:
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown,
Thou its sun which goes not down:
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our king.
W. Chatterton Dix
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. AMEN
Pax et Bonum,
Loree+
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