Meeting Tuesday December 4: Psalms and "Advent"

      Hi everyone. This week concludes our conversations about the psalms.  Looking over the psalms in “Book Five”,  psalms 107-150 I am struck by two themes we can reflect on, the desire to be faithful -- especially expressed in the different portions of Psalm 119, which I’ve been reflecting on slowly over the last 2 weeks. It is an example of a “wisdom psalm,”  of which there are many -- reflecting on what it is like to follow the way of God not out of fear of punishment or desire to be special, but just out of trust that it is a good way to live.   So we may reflect on what it might mean for us, in our time, to think in terms of “committing our way” to God’s way?  What does that look like?

Of course it all involves  praise, and we will not let the evening go by without looking at some of the wonderful praise psalms that conclude the book of psalms, as well as Psalm 139, another of my favorites which combines, I think, wisdom and praise.  Should be a rich time. I look forward to being with you.

       I also want to mention that this Sunday, December 2, marks the first Sunday of the season of Advent.  For those of us in more liturgically oriented traditions his is a season of expectation, of quiet confidence and waiting for the coming of Christ -- it is one of the times when Christianity is at its most ‘counter-cultural.  While in our daily lives and often in church life we are rushing around getting ready for Christmas, Advent practices encourage us to slow down, rest in darkness, wait for the light,  begin a new “church year” in a spirit of renewal.    Depending on the tradition you were raised in Advent may be a new concept or a familiar concept to you.    You can see a great summary of what it’s all about online on the “Busted Halo” website at http://bustedhalo.com/video/advent-in-two-minutes    ( a website worth checking out generally, I think).

            And speaking of Advent.  I will be in Northern Virginia on Saturday December 8 to lead an Advent Quiet Day at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church from 9-12.  The day will combine some short meditations with sharing and time for quite, solitary reflection on the Advent themes of promise. I’ll probably be using a couple of favorite poems as well as Advent Scripture readings and prayers to focus our time.  My hope is that it will be for all of us a time to enter the spirit of the season, in quiet and hopeful reflection on God’s promises in our lives.  See basic information on the church's website here