Children, Go Where I Send Thee: Christmas Daybook 3
Opening prayer: Heavenly Father, make me more like Jesus and more like the true self you’ve created as I savor your loving presence today. Please guide my thoughts and impressions by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Look: The Storm, John August Swanson - Source
Read the artist’s statement about this work here.
An excerpt: “Inspired by Pope Francis' Urbi Et Orbi on Friday, March 27, 2020, which juxtaposed Mark 4:35-41 with the COVID-19 Pandemic, I was moved to create an artwork. The Pope's words:
"We were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat... are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying "We are perishing" (v. 38), so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this."
perfectly encapsulated the world's plight, and our need to help each other.”
Listen: Children, Go Where I Send Thee, Odetta - Spotify | YouTube
Read: Psalm 28, 30; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 118; Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59-8:8
Excerpts:
"Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleadings. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd, and carry them forever.”
*
"Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning….
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."
*
"Then the spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of the priest Jehoiada; he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has also forsaken you.”’”
*
"Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen.’"
*
"O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me? The Lord is on my side to help me; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in mortals. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."
*
“But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest…
There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up….
Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years; for their souls were pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took them quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, or take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect, and that he watches over his holy ones.”
*
“While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died….
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria….
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.”
- Psalm 28:6-9 * Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12 * 2 Chronicles 23:20 * Acts 6:1-5a * Psalm 118:1-9 * Wisdom 4:7, 10, 13-15 * Acts 7:59-60, 8:1b, 4-8 (NRSV)
Pray: Book of Common Prayer, Collect for the Feast of St. Stephen
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.”
Do: Keep giving on Boxing Day!
{An excerpt from my post 12 Ways To Savor the 12 Days of Christmas.}
What I’ve read about Boxing Day sounds sort of like a medieval version of Undercover Boss. Or the servant's ball at Downton Abbey. However you choose to interpret the meaning of this tradition, find a way to notice those you take for granted, give to those who rarely receive, serve the servers. If you’re out and about today, take along some small gifts to hand out to the clerks, cashiers, attendants, wait staff, baristas, cab drivers, toll booth operators, and others who work in the service industry of your city.
If nothing else, try to make eye contact with each person you meet today. Smile and say "Merry Christmas!"
The Feast of St. Stephen or Boxing Day.
“This day has the additional title "Boxing Day", and it is a holiday in several countries. There are various explanations for this name, but they all boil down to the idea that this is a day to be generous to those who are less fortunate than yourself. The day celebrates the first person to give his life for the sake of Christ, St. Stephen, who was also one of the first deacons ordained to serve the poor. Archbishop Thomas Becket has something to say about him which you can read today, or save for the 29th. Another saint who is closely associated with this day is St. Wenceslas of Bohemia whose charity to the poor is remembered in John Mason Neale's wonderful carol. The day after Christmas is a particularly good day to put the fabled "spirit of giving" into practice. Take time today to perform an act of charity. If you make end-of-the-year gifts to charities, write the checks today. Remembering St. Stephen, as well as our Lord's own sacrifice, this would be a good day to give blood if the donation center is open. Charity can take many forms. Whatever form yours takes, make sure to sing or whistle "Good King Wenceslaus" while you are doing it! St. Stephen's Day is a Prayer Book Holy Day, a day on which one should also participate in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.”
You might also enjoy: 2 Views of Wenceslas Square for St. Stephen's Day
* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Christmas 2021
** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 2)