God of rough hands and hardened feet,
giving light to the daughters and sons of earth:
in agony of birth and gentleness of newborn skin,
may we discover your ordinary beauty in the heart of our longing world;
through Jesus Christ,
the Icon of the Unseen God.
Amen. (Prayers For An Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare)
Sharing newsletter of Christmas goodies
from The Corners, Nadia Bolz-Weber
This is a season like no other for emotions to rise both joyful and sad. I share this in gratitude for the recognition of both.
Thank you, David Kanigan
Quote: Jan Richardson
WHERE THE LIGHT BEGINS
A Blessing for Christmas Day
Perhaps it does not begin.
Perhaps it is always.
Perhaps it takes
a lifetime
to open our eyes,
to learn to see
what has forever
shimmered in front of us—
the luminous line
of the map
in the dark
the vigil flame
in the house
of the heart
the love
so searing
we cannot keep
from singing,
from crying out
in testimony
and praise.
Perhaps this day
will be the mountain
over which
the dawn breaks.
Perhaps we
will turn our face
toward it,
toward what has been
always.
Perhaps
our eyes
will finally open
in ancient recognition,
willingly dazzled,
illuminated at last.
Perhaps this day
the light begins
in us.
Quote: Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
Image: “Where the Light Begins” © Jan Richardson
“It must be a great disappointment to God if we are not dazzled at least ten times a day.”
Now is the moment. It is the only moment we truly have. Look around and see…
We are near the time and place which has called for so much preparation. We have been primed to be alert, to pay attention.
Paying attention can bring moments important and inspiring.
When alert I have seen:
— Fireflies covering a field. Like a blanket of light and movement, they floated in silent grace only saying what was necessary in the glow of dusk.
— Fox pups with coats orange-brown playing on a mound of green earth. With frisky jumps and dashing runs they tried to hide from one another only to be discovered by sweeping tails dipped in white.
— A tiny Carolina wren perched face-first high in the corner of my porch. Dusk had settled into night and this little one had found a safe, dry place to sleep.
— And just yesterday a streak of indigo caught my eye. Before I knew it I faced a tree host to a family of blue birds.
To my surprise… after all this time I still feel a rush of energy when I am present to these sightings. They are moments discovered outside of human control.
We are near the time and place when a moment outside of human control comes to blanket the world with peace and care.
Like the shepherds looking up to angels bright as stars, be alert as God’s presence moves among us.
Quote: Mary Oliver, Good Morning No 5, from Blue Horses (2014)
Location unknown – image source: stekla63.ru
Carrie's Bench 
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