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Archives for January 2017

Rectangles of Light for Advent and Epiphany

January 24, 2017 by Sybil Macbeth Leave a Comment

I know we are in the Season of the Epiphany, but I keep looking at these two Advent Calendars by Cindy O* and Melissa zL. There are so many symbols of light in them that the calendars could hang as reminders of Epiphany. Both Cindy and Melissa used a simple block calendar–nothing kitschy or fancy about the template. But each daily rectangle is a colorful window illuminating the story of God’s breaking into the world. On Cindy’s calendar, the first one, I love the Sunday progression of light on the weekly Advent wreath. The “family portrait” on Christmas Day makes me smile: the gathering of curious people around Jesus surrounded by holly and poinsettia. On Melissa’s calendar I love all of the visual references to light, especially the fireworks on Christmas. Of course, there must have been fireworks on that momentous night!

Advent Cindy O_final

by Melissa zur Loye

by Melissa zur Loye

  • Cindy’s blog is called Mostly Markers

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Filed Under: Praying in Color Tagged With: Advent, Advent calendars, Epiphany, Mostly Markers, Praying in Color

Epiphany Intercessory Prayer

January 9, 2017 by Sybil Macbeth 1 Comment Leave a Comment

Doodling is often the framework for my prayers for other people. “Drawing is taking a line for a walk,” said Paul Klee. Most of the time, the line takes me for a walk across the page. I don’t often have an idea for a doodle or a drawing. My concern for another person and a black pen start the process of prayer together on a piece of paper. Occasionally, a season of the year or an object informs my doodling. This prayer started on Epiphany, January 6. It just seemed right to start with a star: “Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid. Star in the East, the horizon adorning, guide where our infant Redeemer is laid” (words by Reginald Heber)

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Filed Under: Praying in Color Tagged With: Doodling and Prayer, doodling prayers, Epiphany, Praying in Color

Spread a Little Light–Epiphany

January 6, 2017 by Sybil Macbeth Leave a Comment

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany is about light. It is about the news of Jesus, the Christ, shining beyond the boundaries of a tiny town in a tiny country. Many theologians think Epiphany is the most important time of the church year and deserves more than one day of attention. I agree for both theological and personal reasons.

The theological reasons are expressed in the three stories we tell on this day: The magi arrive at the manger with gifts. Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding at Cana. John baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan. These stories are neon signs of the specialness of Jesus. Jesus is a king; he performs miracles; and a voice from the heavens says, “This is my Son, the Beloved with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 17 NRSV) This news will spread like wildfire. Epiphany is the the flashpoint, the manifestation of God with us, sending up flame and light for the world to see. This is more than a one-day event.

For me, Epiphany is a continuation of the Advent theme of “light in darkness.” It is a reminder of my call as a Christian to spread that light and to wear that light. So instead of packing up the Christmas lights and relegating them to the attic, I keep them up. Not quite until Spring, but until Lent. In the dark days of winter I need the visual cues of light to reinforce the Good News. The candles stay in the windows and the Christmas tree (morphed into an Epiphany bush) dresses up in white lights and stars.

When I was a child, we called January 6 “Little Christmas.” Some families I knew gave gifts on that day. I like the idea of giving little gifts of light–a small flashlight, matches, a night light, or a glow-in-the dark rosary–like the one that hangs on the lampshade right next to my bed and shines in the dark every night when I turn out the light.

light-collage-resized

 

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Filed Under: Praying in Color Tagged With: Epiphany, January 6, Little Christmas, Matthew 3:17, rosary, Wedding at Cana

Advent Calendar 2016

January 4, 2017 by Sybil Macbeth Leave a Comment

It is the 11th day of Christmas. Epiphany is in two days. In the church year we have moved from the preparation of Advent to the birth of Jesus on Christmas. So aren’t these Advent words on the calendar, and even Christmas “so last month”? Maybe not. When I look at my calendar, I am reminded that the words in the balls are really the words of my faith throughout the whole year. Although our Savior is born, we Christians are still waiting, watching, and hoping for the final fulfillment of the Christmas promises.

advent-calendar-2016-resized

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Filed Under: Praying in Color Tagged With: Advent, Advent 2016, Advent calendars, Praying in Color

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