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Pastor Annette's Blog

"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC

Only Faith

12/18/2012

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Beloved:

‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
  wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
  she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’   ~Matthew 2:18


    A king named Herod so feared the loss of his throne he ordered the slaughter of boys two years old and younger in the region of Bethlehem, staining the Christmas story with unspeakable violence.  

    Since last week’s slaughter of innocence in Connecticut I feel just like I did after 9-11.  I’m dazed, lost and sick to my stomach.  I want to keep my kids at home and read to them or just look at them constantly.  I want the world to leave us alone.  

     Matthew reminds me there is nothing new under the sun.  Political leaders willing to sacrifice children to protect their position is an ancient story.  Parents are forced to live their worst nightmare and dazed as I may be, I carry on with my Christmas shopping. Because I don’t know what else to do.  I have no words of comfort, only the ache for them. Matthew helps by reminding me that no such comfort exists.  

    The baby Herod was after escaped to Egypt with his parents.  I often wonder what Jesus’ parents told him about why they lived so far from his cousins.  He knew, of course.  The disgraceful ways of people in power and tiny hearts terrified by what they could not understand.  He knew it and carried it and carries it now in ways for which I have no words, only faith.  

      It’s much too small a word in these days. More is wanted.  More is needed.  In the meantime, strange as it is, we are allowed our joy. ~peace, prayers & merry Christmas!  pastor annette

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    I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC.  It is also posted here. 
     
    Enjoy!  
    Pastor Annette

    Copyright
    Everything on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons license, which gives you permission to copy freely, provided that you attribute the work to me, that you use the work for non-commercial purposes, and that you do not produce derivative works.

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Photo used under Creative Commons from TheReptilarium
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Staff
    • Annette Hill Briggs, Pastor
    • Rob Drummond ~ Music Minister
  • Listen & Read
    • Sermons
    • Pastor's Blog
    • #ITSYOURCHURCHTOO >
      • About >
        • When & Where?
        • Ministries >
          • Worship >
            • Music
            • Worship Arts
            • Worship Resources
          • Fellowship >
            • Wednesday Night Supper
            • Church Recipes
          • Service >
            • MCUM Collections
            • Habitat for Humanity Project
          • Vacation Bible School
        • Our Story >
          • Denomination
          • Who We Are
        • Contact
        • Calendar
    • Social Media Feed
  • Give
  • Newsletter