Evensong

I had planned on writing and sending this to all of you at 8:30 this morning.  That obviously did not happen, as one thing led to another.  I'm not complaining - it's been a productive day and it's not yet over.  And waiting until now afforded me the opportunity to participate in my weekly sermon preparation group and reflect on what I learned - and how it might be applicable to my devotional writing.

Each week we discuss the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary, which is the cycle of readings we follow at our church.  That in itself is kind of neat as this discussion group originates at a parish of the Church of England.  Right there, we see the striving for the universality of the Christian faith put into practice.  This morning, one of the facilitators noted of the Epistle reading that there was a lot there in its three short verses but it wasn't the right passage for this coming Sunday, just before Christmas.  He thought the proper preaching text was the one from Luke; I agree.

But all of this got me thinking, of what's appropriate and what's night, like the hour at which we play or I share a devotional.  We tend to do a lot of our worship activities, our praying, in the morning.  But there is no reason to not pray in the afternoon or evening.  Think of Evensong, which can still be heard in Episcopal churches today.  It's one of the appointed services of worship in the day, and is often contemplative.  We don't do Evensong in the UCC or in Congregationalist Churches -- but we will on Christmas Eve and also on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Next week we'll have a chance to think about, to pray on, and to give voice in song to the importance of the coming of the Christ child.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying it's okay to pray at any time of day!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 51:1-18: Sacrifice

During Lent people often talk about the things they've given up as a sacrifice.  That offering can seem like a burden.  Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's not.  It's good when we part with something that matters so that we can deepen our faith.  It's not when in doing so, we act as if we're doing God some kind of favor, one that deserves praise and acknowledgment.  The psalmist, along with the prophets and others in Scripture, not to mention Jesus, knew this reality.  They knew that it was all too easy for people to fake sacrifice, to look like they were doing something for God but in reality were doing something to boost their own reputation righteousness.  Here, in verses 17 and 18 and Psalm 51 we are told what God really seeks from us: not an animal on an altar, but real introspection and an honest accounting of our sins.  "Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.  The sacrifice o
Read more

Shortest Day

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.  You've probably heard by now about the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which should be quite a sight.  Of course, this being 2020, the sky will probably be overcast obscuring this celestial event. But rather than be pessimistic, I will indulge in some optimism, some hope, that we will be able to see what has been dubbed "The Christmas Star" - even though Christmas isn't until the 25th and Jesus was likely born in March.  Still, it's the thought that counts, right?  Advent is all about hopeful anticipation, and we're coming to its glorious conclusion. I choose to welcome Christ with an open heart.  What about you?  Will you join me?  Will you look heavenward, confident that, clouds or no clouds, Our Lord is coming to be with us?
Read more

Girl Power

I honestly don't know whether referring to "girl power" is, as they now say, "problematic."  I use it with reference to today's Scripture readings with only the greatest of respect.  The stories of Scripture are as much about women as they are men.  Consider Hannah, mother of Samuel, and Mary, mother of Jesus, who were two strong, empowered women whose faith guided their lives, example and morals shaped their sons, and witness that inspired the faithful for generations.  As we approach Christmas, let us remember these two women who have done so much to shape the faith through their commitment, grit, and love.
Read more