Monthly Archives: December 2015

New Year’s Eve (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13) A version for those of us chronologically advantaged …

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Maren

For everything there is a season, but my joints creak a lot in the winter. The time to be born is the distant past, and it’s time I think about improving what gets written in my obituary. There’s a time … Continue reading →

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Emptying — Christmastide Poem from South Africa

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Maren

Isobel Degruchy is a remarkable writer and artist from South Africa.The camelthorn image is from her recent book  Between Heaven and Earth Poems, Prayers, Pictures. My Christmas poem for this year. Emptying We claim, “The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not … Continue reading →

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Mourning again, Tamir Rice

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Maren

Go out today and find a child with a toy in her hands, with a toy at his feet, in his mouth, find a child with a rattle or puzzle, doll, gun, superhero. It shouldn’t be hard so soon after … Continue reading →

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I Have The Same Father As This Baby … gift from Maryland, US

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Maren

I am enjoying sharing gifts that I have received in this Christmastide. This comes from Stephen Price, an old friend of mine. Here’s a brief bio  — Practicing psychotherapist, biblical theologian and Interim Pastor at Heritage Baptist Church, Annapolis, MD and you … Continue reading →

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A Question of Fear … for the Christmas season, from Aotearoa

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Maren

During these twelve days and nights of Christmastide, I celebrate by sharing some of the lovely writing which has been coming to me … and inviting more words. Thank you to Erice Fairbrother of Aotearoa for the call to us … Continue reading →

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Shall yourselves find blessing

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Maren

I am swimming in first light the day after Christmas, slow because of my torn meniscus but more quickly than the woman who comes in, with a bright yellow swimsuit and a cane and asks to share my lane for … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas! Amani Milele (Peace Forever)

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Maren

I have received so many gifts of writings that I will be sharing in the twelve days of Christmas! For Christmas Day I want to share not so much the words as the images of “peace on earth.” For we … Continue reading →

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Thursday, December 24 … O antiphon – Christmas Eve

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Maren

O Emmanuel, who antiphons every time between the Star and a real umbilical cord, between ho-ho-ho and humbug, between our dreams for the perfect candlelight service, cantata, Christmas morning, and a corny NCIS holiday special. Come as our impossible hope, … Continue reading →

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December 23 — O antiphon … O Tannenbaum

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Maren

Isaiah 41:19-25 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider … Continue reading →

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Tuesday, December 22, 2015 … O antiphon for the winter solstice

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Maren

Come, O Darkness after the angels put out the stars, Come, baby who cried … to those who have left not just the church but even the mall-version of this holiday far behind. Come on the really slow polar local … Continue reading →

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