12/09/08 From the DOD:
I have really been enjoying our Monday lunch time Advent Study. It’s called The Scriptures Sing of Christmas and it is by J. Ellsworth Kalas. He admits he wrote this book out of two lifelong prejudices. The first is toward Christmas and the second toward music. In the first lesson we focused on “Mary’s Song” (The Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55). The second was “Concert in a Field” (the shepherds and the angels, Luke 2:8-14). This past Monday, we studied a story I was not familiar with. It was “An Old Man Sings” (Simeon with the infant Jesus in the Temple, Luke 2:25-35). We touched on some very interesting points in this story and I’d like to share one of Kalas’ insights. He reminded us that believing is easier for you and me. We’ve had a lot of time to see the wonder of Christmas at work and have heard many stories about the lives that have been changed as a result of this unique event on which we base the structure of our calendar. “And we have that subtle advantage of mystical and theological detachment, so that we’re untroubled by the obvious humanness of a little baby. But Simeon looked at a baby who to all apparent evidence was like any other baby, and at parents who differed from other parents only in that they were less prepossessing than most. Looking at the ordinary, Simeon saw the extraordinary; observing the obvious, he saw the miraculous. Thomas Carlyle once said that the degree of vision that dwells in a person is the correct measure of that person. By Carlyle’s measure, Simeon was a giant among us humans.” Times are uncertain right now. People of the world are experiencing a palpable sense of despair. But you know what? We are not of the world. We are of Christ. The back wall of our sanctuary is not lined with banners that read: Sorrow, Animosity, Fear, and Chaos. They read: Joy, Love, Hope, and Peace. As Christians and Disciples of Christ we are called to be a part of the solution. My prayer for you and for me is that we be filled with the vision of Simeon. May you be filled with the joy, love, hope, and peace of Christ who is our salvation, Rachel “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 (King James Version)

My sister, Sylvia, passed away in an automobile accident during my senior year of high school in October of 1983. In that moment her family’s lives were changed dramatically. She was survived by her husband, John, her 15 year old son, John Gordon, her 7 year old daughter, Myra, and her 5 year old son, Clinton. Sylvia was the glue of our family. She was like a mother to me when I was a child. She had graduated from high school when I was born and according to my mother, Sylvia would “wag” me around town and people thought I belonged to her. When my mother abruptly left my father the summer before I started 2nd grade, it was Sylvia who saw that we had a place to stay and helped my mom find a job. She saw to it that I had school supplies, clothes, and transportation. She made sure that I got to participate in activities, like softball, baton lessons, band, etc. Most importantly, she cared for my emotional and spiritual well-being. Since my mother worked most Sundays, Sylvia saw to it that I was at church every time the door was open. She was a dedicated Christian who tried to live as Christ-like as humanly possible. Her husband often called her “Esther”. Not because of the Esther of the Old Testament, but the Esther from the TV show Sanford and Son. Her death was dramatic for me. Almost 8 years ago her youngest child, Clinton, got married to a beautiful girl named Vida. Clinton was living with me at the time they were planning their wedding. Clinton does not really remember his mother, but has acknowledged the void created by her absence. His father who passed away last year, had never remarried. One day, Clinton and I were talking about his upcoming wedding. I mentioned learning of a practice where a rose was left in the place reserved for the mother of the bride or groom if the mother was deceased. He said he would consider this. The day of the wedding arrived. It was a beautiful, cold fall day. The handsome groomsmen were seating the guests. I was waiting to be seated when Clinton walked up in front of my groomsman and took my arm and led me to the seat beside his father. There was no rose there. He sat me there. I was moved beyond words. And I will never ever forget it. This past weekend, my daughter, Lydia had a dance recital. This year’s recital included a father/daughter dance. Even though Lydia and Mary’s father is not directly involved in their lives, they have a wonderful godfather, Kevin Butler. Kevin graciously agreed to dance with Lydia and took her to several practices for this special performance. A couple of weeks before the recital, Kevin sustained a torn calf muscle and was barely able to walk, much less do a dance that involved a lot of lifting of a 6 year old girl. Lydia was in need of a father for the dance. Kevin kindly offered his assistance in teaching the steps to someone else. He would meet with him, attend the rehearsal with him, and bring him to his home to practice some more so that Lydia could dance this dance. This past Saturday night, sitting in the audience of my daughter’s recital, I glowed with maternal love and pride as I watched a handsome, wonderful, special man dance my beautiful daughter around the stage. I bet Sylvia smiled too. Thanks, Clinton. I love you. Peace of Christ to each of you as we strive to be Christ’s family, Rachel

06/03/08 From the DOD published in Scottsboro CP Church Spire