Rev. Ryan's Reflection of the Week for Christmas
/REV. RYAN'S WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
--Just one more sleep till Christmas and if you were in Church this past Sunday (Advent 4) then you joined in on the "Prayer for Love" by Kate Bowler. We've also attached it in today's newsletter. One of my favourite phrases from this prayer that I'm carrying this week is as follows:
"God, we are waiting for love,
not the simple kind or the sweep-you-off-your-feet
kind,
but the absurd kind.
The kind wrapped in rags,
resting in a bucket of animal feed.
Love enough to save us all."
--And. . . this past Sunday, we used the First Nations Version of the Bible as our Bible Translation. The FNV is an Indigenous language translation that has been a refreshing way for me to read my Bible. . . it's inspiring and thought-provoking. . . just like Eugene Peterson's "The Message" translation that was released 30 years ago. I would encourage you to consider buying a FNV (New Testament) or you can find it online at www.bible.com.
--One more Advent reading that can carry us into the season of Christmas (remember, the season of Christmas has 12 days to celebrate the arrival of Christ!).
This simple poem has emboldened my heart and inspired me for several years in my "journey to Christmas":
"Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly light,
And usher in the morning:
Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,
But hear the angel's warning.
This child, this little helpless boy,
Shall be our confidence and joy.
The powers of hell o'erthrowing,
At last our peace bestowing."
(Johann Rist, Seventeenth century)