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Touching on themes of incarnation and epiphany, our January worship gathering reminded us to pay attention to God’s sacred presence among us. God’s incarnation was not a one-time event. Epiphany was not a one time event. They are archetypes of how God is active and present in a variety of forms in the world - showing up in human form, in all creation, in stars, on journeys into unfamiliar territory.
Matthew 2:9b-10 “...they (the Magi) set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” All that the magi had to illuminate and guide their way was a star and a dream. Their journey to encounter holiness began with a burning light, with a step taken, with companions gazing in the same direction. As we stand near the beginning of this new year, what is guiding you? What are you noticing? How are you following your longing to encounter holiness? Which direction is calling you? What are you giving your attention to? Who are your companions on the journey?
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A blessing for heading into December and Advent
Blessed be the darkness, protecting, covering, comforting. Blessed be the early evenings, and long nights. Blessed be the moon and stars, and monochrome landscapes. Blessed be the deep stillness and inner quiet. Blessed be the hope held in the shadows, beneath the ground, and deep in the belly. - Wendy Janzen To breathe the fresh morning air,
To observe the variety of tracks in the snow, To greet the crow flying overhead, To hear the joyful chirping of birds, To admire the silhouette of an old tree in front of the rising sun, To feel the bright, warm sun on my cold skin: This is to be alive and to remember I am not alone. - Wendy Janzen I've been in a bit of a writing slump. So for the month of February I took on the spiritual practice of writing one (or more) six-word sermons each week, based on time spent out in creation. I'd encourage it as a simple way to focus and synthesize your thoughts and reflections from time spent outdoors, or whenever/wherever you spend your contemplative time.
Here are the five I shared on our social media streams this month: Below the snow, seeds await spring. God's here in our winters, too. Love shines on all God's creatures. Every day let kindness burn bright. Be rooted in peace, not war. God, our constant companion and guide,
here in this place of stark beauty, make your sacred presence felt among us. Open our senses and our full awareness to your mystery, and help us to listen to the seeds buried in the earth, to the interplay between water and ice, to the cold wind in the bare branches, to the stillness of the trees, to the brilliance of the sky, to prayers without words. Amen. May God bless the season of winter around us and within us. May we go, knowing God's presence in the midst of life’s challenges, God's love in the stillness, and God's hope in the promise of new life waiting for spring. Amen. - Wendy Janzen Blessed be the Light
that bursts forth, illuminating new paths, enlightening new thoughts. May this Epiphany season be filled with dreams and signs. May your imagination take you beyond what you thought was possible. May you have the courage and vision to follow the Light into places of inspiration. - Wendy Janzen Blessed be the darkness,
the cold, and the silence. Blessed be those who wait for the coming of the light. Blessed be the creatures who teach us how to wait. Blessed be the earth that shows us how to hold stillness. Blessed be winter, season of reflection, rest, and resilience. Blessed be the light that returns faithfully each year. - Wendy Janzen Fourth Sunday of Advent
Four flames, lights shining in the deepest, darkest time of the year, moving us closer to the arrival of the one for whom we’ve been waiting and watching. These lights shine sacred love, love which births everything into existence, love which begets wholeness love that stirs our hearts and shows us the path to deep love. - Wendy Janzen Third Sunday of Advent
Three candles, a trinity of light, a holy mystery, an interrelationship of revelations and incarnations. Flames dancing with joy and life, engaging and laughing like the one who loved children spoke in riddles welcomed all and brought healing to the brokenness of the world, and, celebrating the one who was and is always here, bigger than we ever imagined, holding both our fear and our joy. - Wendy Janzen Second Sunday of Advent
Two lit candles - a sacred conversation inviting us in and drawing us closer, reminding us of the dynamic relationship between earth and heaven, light and dark, body and soul. a conversation since The beginning of time, engaging all the world and pulling us into a peaceful embrace with the one who is the divine indwelling holding all things together. - Wendy Janzen |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
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