"It Was the Winter Wild"

It was the Winter wild, 

While the Heaven born child,

    All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;

Nature in awe to him

Had doffed her gaudy trim,

    With her great Master so to sympathize:

And waving wide her myrtle wand,

She strikes a universal Peace through Sea and Land.

No war or battle's sound

Was heard the world around,

    The idle spear and shield were high up hung;

The hookèd Chariot stood

Unstained with hostile blood,

    The Trumpet spake not to the armèd throng,

And Kings sate still with aweful eye,

As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.

But peaceful was the night

Wherein the Prince of light

    His reign of peace upon the earth began:

The winds, with wonder whist,

Smoothly the waters kissed,

    Whispering new joys to the mild Ocean,

Who now hath quite forgot to rave,

While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmèd wave. (Milton) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIUziwptFos

Shepherds Watch

A devotion for our church for Christmas Eve. 

Shepherds Watch

Luke 2:1-20

Paul Stroble 

Are you traveling this Christmas? We are not, but we used to. When Beth’s and my parents were alive, we’d visit her parents in the Chicago area, and also my parents in south-central Illinois. Some Christmas, we flew, but others, we lived close enough to drive. Driving on Christmas Day has an almost apocalyptic feel, because almost no one is out and about. A few gas stations and drug stores were open. I remember one time when we stopped at a truck-stop on the way to Chicago. A tent had been set up as a church for truckers who had time to attend a Christmas service. We miss our parents, but we don’t miss those long trips. 

Joseph and Mary had to make a long trip for the sake of an intrusive government degree. The story makes wonderful theological points to ponder.  

First, the story contrasts the might of the Roman Empire with the small event of the Savior’s birth. Remember how Genesis 10-11 details the peoples of the earth and then zeros in on Abram and Sarai, who from then on are the key focus of God’s plans. Baby Jesus and his parents have no authority. His parents do not even have enough privilege to gain a better place to stay. But God’s plans and power do not rely upon human standards of power. 

Second, the story positions Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, the city of David. As Micah 5:2 reads, 

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

   who are one of the little clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

   one who is to rule in Israel,

whose origin is from of old,

   from ancient days.

The trip from Nazareth, however, was probably a three- or four-day trip. Mary and Joseph probably knew that the region would be crowded. I tend to think of the “inn” in modern terms, as if it were a hotel. But it was more like a shelter for people and animals, perhaps an extra space in someone’s home. So, a stable would not have seemed a cruel place to stay. 

There, Mary gave birth. Lately, folks on Facebook have been sharing a poem about Mary, reminding us of the humanness of birth. Giving birth is a messy, agonizingly painful, and medically dangerous thing for a woman to experience. We would take away some of the humanness of Mary and Jesus if we think of it as a quiet, easy event. 

Third, the visit to Bethlehem involves the shepherds of that region. Shepherds are honored in the psalms as people who cared for their sheep, knowing each sheep, and protecting them from dangers. But shepherds could be held in suspicion because they did not attend religious services and were unkempt from their earthy occupation. 

Once again, the authorities and powers of the world are implicitly contrasted to the lowliness of the shepherds. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not to be served (Mark 10:45). God’s angels appeared to them in a frightening arrival, lighting up the night. They assured the shepherds that they were chosen to visit the newborn Messiah. 

The shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God. Verse 19 tells us, “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” That is something we do each Christmas, too! We ponder the meaning of these wonderful events, and then we tell others what has happened. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, guide and bless us as we, too, “go to Bethlehem to see the child.” Amen. 

Peace on Earth

A devotion for our church for the last week of Advent. 

Peace on Earth

Luke 2:15-20

Paul Stroble 

When I visited Bethlehem years ago, I purchased a crèche, simply carved from olive wood. That was in early February; it finally arrived at my house in June. This was long before you could track your purchases on the internet. I’ve displayed it each year. In fact, during the last few years it’s been in my office year round. 

Of course, the crèche features the whole entourage, not only the holy family but the wise men, the shepherds, and one sheep. The Gospels do not depict them all together—the wise men appear in Matthew, and the shepherds in Luke—but we do tend to conflate the stories in our imaginations. I humorously imagine a wise man chatting with a shepherd, “How’s work?” “Same old same old. How was your trip from the East?” 

Our scripture is the familiar story of Luke’s gospel. The shepherds have been visited by the angels. The angels had told them about the birth of Jesus, and the heavenly armies sang, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

   and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” 

I’d like to focus on that word “peace.” It has many layers. 

The Greek word Eirēnē is a New Testament word for peace. I learned that the Greek goddess named Eirēnē was sometimes depicted with a horn of plenty. Peace is a gift that provides fullness to one’s life! The word dovetails well with the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom, which means wholeness and harmony. God’s will for us is Shalom.

Philippians 4:6-7 reads, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

I wish I could say I don’t worry—although I do pray throughout the day. But I can say that the “peace that surpasses (or transcends) understanding” is a very wonderful thing. It is not “peace of mind,” exactly. It is a deep, inner certainly, deeper than emotions. I perceive this peace even when I’m struggling with something, or when I’m dealing with depression. 

There are, of course, other meanings of peace. The United Methodist Church has a Peace with Justice Sunday each year, in May or June depending on the year. Why peace with justice? Because they go together! The biblical idea of peace includes the cessation of conflict but also the idea of wholeness and well-being. Our church has supported mission trips to Haiti for several years, for instance. This kind of peacemaking (and others) are also about justice—because it is unjust to let people live in impoverished conditions. In the world, social conflict (the absence of peace) often happens when people are denied justice. 

“Peace on earth” is probably so elusive because injustice and dire social circumstances are present everywhere. Each year at Christmas, we sing “peace on earth” and praise Jesus as the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). But, war continues in our world because of unresolved conflicts of the past and failures of the present. Where armed conflict exists, justice and reconciliation have not been achieved. God’s Shalom for the whole world remains a wonderful, future reality. 

The adult Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27). This peace comes from the Holy Spirit, comforting and directing those who live in the power of God’s kingdom.  

I doubt that the shepherds did theological reflection on “peace” when they hurried to Bethlehem. But they did tell everyone what had happened! “When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:18). May we, too, hurry and tell others!   Amen.  

 

Alan Freed

Disc jockey Alan Freed was born 100 years ago, December 15, 1921. While he was a DJ in Cleveland, OH, he highlighted R&B by black artists and encouraged white and black kids to listen to the same music. He popularized the phrase "rock and roll" to describe music that he featured. His promotion of five acts at the Cleveland Arena in 1952 is considered the first rock concert. He died when he was only 43, so he didn't see his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Edward Coles

Edward Coles was a neighbor and associate of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and served as James Madison's secretary. He was an anti-slavery advocate and urged Jefferson to free his slaves. Coles himself moved to Illinois in 1819 and manumitted 19 of his slaves and obtained land for them. He was one of a very few slaveowners to entirely manumit his slaves. Coles was elected Illinois governor in 1822 and served until 1826. During his term, he led the effort to prevent a constitutional convention that was a potential way by which slavery might be increased in Illinois. It is said that he contributed his gubernatorial salary ($1000 a year) to the anti-convention/anti-slavery effort. Later, Coles was a founding member of Illinois' first historical society. He moved to Philadelphia in the 1830s. Although he didn't resume a political career, he continued his anti-slavery advocacy and lived to see its end. He is considered one of the two best governors of early Illinois statehood (the other is Thomas Ford, governor in 1842-1846). Coles was born December 15, 1786.

John Mecer Langston

Abolitionist, attorney, educator, and politician John Mercer Langston was born on this day in 1829. He was one of the first African Americans elected to public office (as an Ohio town clerk in 1855) and later served in Congress as the first person of color representing Virginia. He was also the dean of the Howard University law school and the first president of what is now Virginia State University. He was the great-uncle of poet Langston Hughes.

Tycho Brahe

Tycho Brahe was a Danish astronomer whose observations and catalog of stars laid the foundation for future astronomical advances. The last astronomer to not use a telescope, he nevertheless made accurate observations of stars, provided a new description of comets, refuted the popular, Aristotelian belief in an unchanging celestial realm. He was born December 14, 1546. The large lunar crater Tycho---the location of the alien monolith in the movie "2001"---is named for Brahe, as is a Martian crater. Brahe is also known as an influence upon his assisant, Johannes Kepler.

 

In the Name of Love

My wife Beth's devotion for our church for the second Sunday of Advent.  

In The Name Of Love

By Beth Stroble

Together we read Luke’s account of the Christmas story, and we witness anew God’s love for humanity as God moved in the lives of ordinary people.  As I listened to Linda’s description of Mary as a common girl to whom a singularly uncommon proclamation and miracle were made true, I thought more about the name of Mary.

Because I grew up in a predominantly Catholic community and now am part of a university community that was Catholic in its origin and identity for much of its history, I have known many Marys. But conventions that favored giving girl babies a name in common with Mary and thus a shared identity seem to have faded. The practice, whether required or not in some parishes, began to disappear in the 1980s when parents preferred names that were not commonly used, seeking unique identities and identifiers, including creative spellings of more traditional names.

Names matter. Care was taken, for example, in the naming of the most recent virus variant to avoid unintended meanings; Omicron was not the sequential letter in the Greek alphabet.  Women named Alexa are reportedly changing their names to avoid confusion with the digital messenger, and incidents that have come from the Karen meme are not all humorous.

The fact that Mary was once a name that was a typical American name as well as a typical American Catholic name gave it a girl next door association and vibe—true to the Biblical Mary as one who could be counted on.  The name, Mary, addresses one who is unassuming when the angel Gabriel, says to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, God is honoring you” (Luke1:30)

This week’s scripture passage from Luke recounts the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth, both blessed with unexpected pregnancies, and their awareness of the miracles of love God was working in their lives.  As Mary greeted her cousin, Elizabeth and the babe in her womb responded from the calling out in love between two women whom God blessed. Mary came in the name of love. God was truly with her.

In this Advent season, let us greet each other with the love and acceptance shared between Mary and Elizabeth.  May we always hear our names called out in love.  And like generations before us, we embrace a bond with Mary, Elizabeth, Zachariah, and so many others with whom God was present—naming ourselves those whom God loves and those who share that blessing with others.

We live in the name of love.

Amen.

Smoke on the Water anniversary

Fifty years ago, December 4, 1971, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were playing at the casino at Montreux, Switzerland along Lake Geneva. Someone fired a flare gun, igniting the ceiling. Festival promoter Claude Nobs helped get concertgoers out, as did the Swiss firefighters. Zappa smashed a window with his Gibson to provide an exit. All 2000 concertgoers got out safely, even though the fire spread quickly and destroyed the casino. (It was rebuilt in 1975.) Frank and the Mothers lost all their equipment. Deep Purple was at the casino to record their "Machine Head" album but had to find a new location, the nearby, nearly empty Grand Hôtel de Territet. The song "Smoke on the Water" soon came together, telling the story of the incident, "Funky" Claude's heroism, and the band's use of the Grand Hotel. The band formed a bond with the town after the song began a hit. Sadly, Frank Zappa passed away in 1993, coincidentally on the anniversary of the fire. Fun to research all this, with the song's riff stuck in my head, LOL. Here is Deep Purple in the early '70s.