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Here is a little something I prepared for an upcoming Christmas gathering – online, of course!!

Christina Rosetti wrote the words for a famous carol that I didn’t encounter until in my 40’s. My encounter included the opportunity of singing with a men’s quartet in Prince Albert, SK. Our leader, Bob Gibson, was a profound musician and prepared an enchanting arrangement. The tune is melancholic, suiting the title – In the Bleak Mid Winter. Having sung the various verses, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon the final verse, a compelling statement that I had heard before. Here are some of the verses.

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

I’ve been invited to an online academic forum.

The discussion is on a paper about atheism.  Or more rightly, the place of atheism in saving the USA.

The arguments sound vaguely familiar.  In fact, if I were to substitute the word Christian for Atheism, you would probably follow the argument well.  Here is an abridged version of the call to the discussion.

“. . . the reason why Atheism – the Human mind free of superstition – has lost its place in the American Intellectual Community, and the need, and way, we might educate the educators by republishing the suppressed Works of Atheism and Freethought. This is necessary to prevent The United States of America from becoming yet another war-machine for Christianity to try again to rule the world by conquest.”

Accessibility and Humility. 

Put the two together and you have a pattern for effective ministry.

Oh yeah, ministry is service.

Service doesn’t happen without being there and being aware.

Two appointments this morning before the 9:30 hour chimed.

The first was a dental cleaning, the second a FaceTime visit with my mom at her care home.

Each meeting had a staff person present.  I’m convinced the staff are the glory of the institution.  Although they find that this is an unusual time – and even though they find themselves surrounded by a depressive and restrictive state – they are more than proficient at their jobs.

Which means I and my mother are well cared for.

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!!!!!