Gaudete Sunday: The Third Sunday of Advent

"Like the crocus it shall bloom abundantly,

and rejoice with joyful song."

 

Image from file 2012

Isaiah 35: 1-10

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Advent

Image from the book: Bonhoeffer Pastor Martyr Prophet Spy

  "A prison cell, in which one waits, and hopes does various unessential things and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent."

 

  After reading several books about Dietrich, I have a deep feeling of admiration and inspiration for what he stood up to and for. His intellect, background and love of God brought to a Nazi Germany a way of seeing evil that was imperative to defeat, so that freedom could embrace all of humanity. He is an inspiration and a symbol of what goodness and hope can bring to a suffering world. And this very inspiration, goodness, and hope is what Advent brings each year.  Reading what he has to say is refreshing.



The Greatest Gift

    The greatest gift you will ever receive will never be found under a Christmas tree. It is far too valuable to be stored in any other place but in the depths of your heart.

Nelson Mandala

“No one is born hating another person
because of the color of his skin,
or his background,
or his religion.

People must learn to hate,
and if they can learn to hate,
they can be taught to love,
for love comes more naturally
to the human heart
than its opposite.”
~ Nelson Mandela~
     From Long Walk to Freedom

The eve of Nelson Mandela's funeral. December 9, 2013

Paying it Forward

 

 

 

The life I touch for good or ill

 will touch another life,

 and in turn another,

 until who knows where the trembling stops

 or in what far place my touch will be felt."

 ~Frederick Buechner~
from

The Hungering Dark

Second Sunday of Advent

 

 

                         And John the Baptist began preaching throughout 
                          all of Judea.                

Nature in All

 Nature is so powerful

So Strong

Capturing its essence is not

Easy ~ Your work becomes a

Dance with light and weather

It takes you to a place within

yourself.