Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Message, 2011

Sometimes people ask why many Anglican Christians outside the United Kingdom and Commonwealth pray for "Elizabeth, Defender of the Faith" in our prayers for the Church, Clergy, and People.  While many people know the well rehearsed historical reasons, this year's Christmas greeting from Queen Elizabeth answers that question in a fresh and exciting way.  May God help us all to emulate the sincere faith of this wonderful Christian Lady in the year to come.  Might our understanding and proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ be so clear, so humane, and so persuasive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHxbMbYgJ_o

Christmas Sermon 2011

Preached at St. John’s Lancaster 24 December 2011

Isaiah 9:2-7

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-20

It is so easy to walk in darkness. For years after my father’s sister Mae died, thanksgiving seemed hollow and forced to me. When I was a small boy, dad’s side of the family always gathered at Uncle Polly and Aunt Mae’s house in Frankfort, Indiana. It was a magical place to be a boy. There was a hill which seemed like a mountain to us which stretched down to a small stream where adventure abounded. Uncle Polly was a railroader on the Nickel Plate line, and he would take us to the yard to see the great iron beasts and actually let us climb into the cupola of his caboose. There were swords in their house, and a penny collection to dazzle the mind of any young boy building a collection for his scout advancement requirements. And then they died, and for years thanksgiving was not the same.

My experience tells me that Christmas is like that for many people. All of the tinsel and presents cannot masque the fact that our experience this year is not as of yore. Faces are missing, and laughter is not as it was. The table that was full is not, or is in a different way, and nostalgia seemingly blinds us to the blessings of this Christmas to a greater degree than we would wish. During this time of year which is filled with so many blessings, and when even those who are generally not religious or even kind in the least still find time to share some goodness and love with their neighbors and friends, the shadows of Christmases past can haunt us and bring darkness.

But on this day, and at this hour, we gather as the people of the Living God to proclaim that the great light has indeed shined into the darkness. The light of God has shined into our lives and increased our joy. The rod of the oppressor is snapped asunder. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and he shall be named Wonderful Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace!” “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory!” Surely “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to us all.” The darkness is swept away as we “go into Bethlehem to behold this thing which has taken place!”

Some months ago, I was privileged to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Authority. We walked quickly through the great plaza and stooped to enter the Church, in some ways a dark and forbidding place, where we knelt to pray. My mind was filled with thoughts of that first Christmas as we joined the line of pilgrims who waited to descend the narrow stairway into the crypt where our Saviour was born. I handed the Greek Monk a handful of coin and he handed me a handful of candles to commemorate my prayers for those I love. And then we moved into the holy place. There were flashes from the cameras of ill-behaved tourists and distractions all around, but they melted away and surely the darkness was dispelled as I met God in that place where the shepherds came on that night ‘to see what had taken place, which the Lord had made known to them.’ With our Lady, I treasured the memory of these things and pondered their meaning in my heart; and like the shepherds, I could not help but to glorify and praise God for all I had heard and seen in that place, even as it had been told me by the Scriptures we have heard this day.

Each of us here brings to this Holy Season our own set of experiences, expectations, and burdens. There will doubtless be for all of us joys and hopes fulfilled, but also those moments of introspection which call to mind other things. The realities of the world rush in upon us, and the uncertainties of life weigh on some more than others, but whatever your frame of mind and heart this day, I bring you the good news that “The Light Has come into the darkness.” “We who lived in a land of deep darkness-on us light has shined!”

God loves you tonight. Whatever you may have done, whatever your situation may be- the birth of Jesus is the proof that God loves you, and has a wonderful plan for your life. There is no sin against God or man he will not forgive. There is no guilt or shame he cannot heal. There is no loss he will fail to comfort, no uncertainty he cannot give strength to bear. There is no habit or addiction he cannot give strength to overcome. There is no aloneness he cannot break through. The proof of his love is that He sent his Son Jesus into the world to identify with our humanity, to sanctify our suffering, and to bring us purpose and peace. Very soon, we will confess our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we say together the Creed. We will confess our sins to God and receive his blessed forgiveness as he forgets our sins and puts them as far away from us as the east is from the west. And then we with the shepherds will go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has taken place, foretold by prophets and promised by God. We will kneel in humble thanks to receive the body and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Might it be for us all a time of healing. Might we experience anew the overwhelming acceptance and love of God. Might we be drawn together as the people of God and imbued with the knowledge that we are never alone, never devoid of purpose, and ever filled with love for God and our fellows, just as the prophets foretold.

Christ is come into the world! A babe is born unto us this day in the City of David- Christ the Lord! The prophecies are fulfilled, and God has showered us with his love. Might we all find peace this night, and light which dispels the darkness. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN.

Wisdom From a Politician!

Last Friday, Prime Minister Cameron of the UK gave a wonderful speech marking the end of the commoration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.  In it he challenges his hearers to express their faith while living in a multi-cultural and diverse society in ways that are positive and do not put others down.  The whole thing is a bit long but it is worth the read if you have the time.  You can access the speech at http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/king-james-bible/.
Bill+

Parish News and Upcoming Events

Rector’s Rambling- January 2012

As I sit down to write my first Rector’s Rambling of the new year, It doesn’t feel much like winter. The weather has been in the low fifties, and the rain has cancelled my pheasant hunt with Bill Young and Sadie the Retriever. The horses are a bit cranky about being in through the rains, and I must say that I’d much rather have them out eating grass than standing inside eating hay and oats. But that is December in Ohio. On the flip side of the coin, there is much for which I am thankful as the new year opens. Having Tristan home for Christmas is something I will never take for granted. I suppose Oxford, Ohio has as much potential for accident as anywhere in the world, but it is very unlikely that anyone there is shooting at my son and his friends. I am still rejoicing at Matthew’s ordination in “the California.” The short opportunity to share in his joy, and to see Ashley and the girls refreshed my soul.

 We had a wonderful visit with Bishop Price.  He has been a faithful and long time frind of our parish, and he will officially retire as our Suffragan Bishop with the coming of the new year.  Our's was his last official visit in the Diocese before his retirement. It was good to see so many brothers and sisters officially affiliate with our parish, and the reception in the undercroft was wonderful. This coming Sunday, we will baptize yet another daughter of Eve into Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I have been very gratified by the response to the “Essential 100 Bible Reading Plan” http://e100challenge.com   I do believe with all my heart that if the people of God here or anywhere can increase their Bible literacy, spiritual renewal will follow. The Word of God is indeed sharper than a two edged sword, just as the Bible tells us. To read and study the Bible prayerfully, and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, is to open ourselves to know the very character of God, revealed in Jesus Christ who said “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”

In January, I will be traveling again to Charleston for the “Mere Anglicanism” Conference www.mereanglicanism.com . Believe it or not, the topics and speakers are really quite exciting for a traditionalist priest, and I am looking forward to the trip to hear:

The Rev'd Dr. Richard Turnbull, Principal, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Anglicanism In Full Flower: The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
The Rt. Rev'd Richard Chartes, Bishop of London
Missionary Visionary: Bishop Henry Compton
Dr. John McCardell, Vice Chancellor, the University of the South
Anglicanism on Fire in South Carolina: The Great Beaufort Revival of 1831
The Rt. Rev'd Michal Nazir-Ali
Amnesia and Anamnesis: How we lost our way
The Rt. Rev'd Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina
A More Excellent Way: Shaping the Future of Anglicanism
The Very Rev'd Dr. Justyn Terry, Dean, Trinity School for Ministry
Recovering the Christian Mind: Educating the Anglican Ministry Today
The Most Rev'd Benjamin Kwashi, Diocese of Jos
Recovering a Dynamic Anglican Missiology
I do appreciate the good people of St. John’s making continuing education a part of my package, and hope that the challenge and refreshment I find at St. Philip’s Charleston will invigorate my ministry among you.

On the fifth of January, the clergy of the Hocking Valley Deanery will be meeting with Canon Anne Reed, the Diocesan Staff Member Bishop Breidenthal has appointed to help us develop and implement strategies for creative ministry. We will be discussing how we might cooperate in mission along the route 33/ Hocking River corridor, and especially how we might work together to insure that our brothers and sisters in some of the small churches and preaching stations of our Deanery might have Holy Communion more regularly. In addition to our established missions and parishes, we have sacramental, preaching, and teaching missions in jails, prisons, and retirement homes all up and down the river. I believe God is doing great things in our midst, and hopefully we will strengthen our existing ministries and discern new ways that God might call us to proclaim the Good News to all people.

This Ramble has been more newsy than inspirational, but I hope it will help us all as we seek to discern what God would have us to do in this coming year. Resolutions can be very good things, and I hope that a greater awareness of the opportunities around us might help us to open our hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek to live for God in the months to come.

Faithfully,

Bill+