Christmas Letter 2011

Dear Ones,

Greetings to you all in the Christ whose coming we await with great anticipation and hope!

The words of John Lennon often ring in my ears this time of year:  “And so it is Christmas, and what have you done?”  I find myself reflecting on the year behind me, on those things that I have done, or left undone, during the past year, and I look ahead in anticipation of new possibilities and directions in life.

Recently I preached a homily, with a small group of folks at St. Luke’s during an evening service.  I invited those gathered to ponder the opportunity for new life to form within each of us this Advent season.  At Christmas we stand in awe of a God who breaks into our world in a new and profound way in the form of a baby Jesus, born of Mary.  No matter what our chronological age may be, we can ponder the same divine transformation within ourselves.  This Christmas season we can become like a child; we can more fully realize our identity as children of God, created in the image of God.

So, in addition to reflecting on what we have done, we can also ponder what we have become, and what is yet to come!

I look forward to Christmas and to the adventures in Christ that lie ahead for all of us as we engage together in common mission and ministry.

Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters in Christ!  The blessing of Immanuel, God with us, be upon you now and always.

In Peace,

 

Colin+

The Rev. Colin Maltbie
Priest-in-Charge at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kasson
Curate at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rochester

 

Prayers for the New Year

As we approach the beginning of a New Year…

Dear Ones,

I pray that you all find many experiences of God’s love in your lives.

I pray that you all find encouragement in your relationships with God, with family and friends, and with those whom you have not yet met.

I pray that you find joy in all times, eventually even in the most difficult of times.

Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

I look forward to a New Year full of new possibilities and opportunities to further engage in God’s mission, to help build God’s Kingdom of love and compassion in the world. I am glad to share in that mission with you all.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

Many blessings to you all,
Colin+

An Advent message written for the Dodge County Independent

Did you know that we are in the midst of the season of Advent: the four-week period leading up to Christmas? The season of Advent is an opportunity to slow down in the midst of the busy holiday rush; an opportunity to reflect on how our lives in faith shape our relationships with God one another and informs the choices that we make.

The prophet Isaiah proclaims,

“A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3)

The place to find God is not in the overwhelming piles of advertisements; the voice of God is not telling us about amazing deals and low-interest financing incentives. God is not calling us to become ever more anxious about our inability to afford buying things for people this year. No, the voice of God calls to us from the wilderness, from a place stripped away of all ephemeral distractions. The still, calm voice of God beckons us toward peace and love. God invites us to consider compassion over consumption, and to trust that we always have enough when we focus on the important things in life–our relationship with God and with one another.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I watched a television special on a Norman Rockwell painting entitled Freedom from Want. It is a simple painting of a family sitting around a Thanksgiving dinner table, with members of Rockwell’s family painted into the scene. I was especially moved by the title: Freedom from Want, a reminder that the most important things in life are our loving relationships. There is almost nothing better than breaking bread with family and friends, and this season my family and I give thanks for our new community of friends.

The holiday season can be difficult for many who have lost loved ones and for those who find themselves alone. Pray for them, that they might feel the loving presence of God, their comfort and companion. Ask someone who might be lonely or unhappy at this time of year over for coffee or a meal, so that they can share in your bounty and partake in the joy of the season with you. Together we have so much.

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Many Blessings to you all,
Colin+