When Christmas feasting becomes wedding feasting

Ghost of Christmas Present, illustrations for A Christmas Carol
Yelena Bryksenkova
source

Friends, I'm going to leave you at the 6th day of Christmas with much love and gratitude for journeying with me on the blog this year.  We are in full-on wedding feasting now, which seems quite fitting during Christmastide.

If it's helpful, please feel free to use the Christmas daybook posts from previous years.  The lectionary passages have changed, but that probably won't hurt anyone.  

Christmas daybook 2013

Christmas daybook 2014

Also, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

I'll catch up with you all in Epiphany (by the way, I'm excited for the second annual Walking Epiphany series to start.  If you'd like to contribute this year, please drop me a line!)

As you remain in Christmas Present, may you hear the invitation of the Christ (echoed Dickens) to "come in and know me better, man!"

Peace and Love,

Tamara

Christmas daybook, 5: Rachel weeping for her children

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? 

(see previous Christmas daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Where the Children Sleep
Magnus Wennman
source

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read

Matthew 2:13-18: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

all readings for the day: Psalm 124; Matthew 2:13-18

also read:  Refugee by Malcolm Guite

We think of him as safe beneath the steeple,

Or cosy in a crib beside the font,

But he is with a million displaced people

On the long road of weariness and want.

For even as we sing our final carol

His family is up and on that road,

Fleeing the wrath of someone else’s quarrel,

Glancing behind and shouldering their load.

Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower

Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled,

The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power,

And death squads spread their curse across the world.

But every Herod dies, and comes alone

To stand before the Lamb upon the throne.

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pray

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of just love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

The Flight

by Richard Causton,
commissioned for 2015 Lessons and Carols service at Kings College Chapel

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

A New Tradition on the Feast of the Innocents With A New Tradition from Wondering Through the Year

make a donation to an organization that cares for babies and children - money or physical items

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

Christmas daybook, 4: Behold, I am making all things new (far as the curse is found)

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? 

(see previous Christmas daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Mary Consoles Eve
modern icon written by one of the sisters at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Iowa
source

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read

Isaiah 54:1-13 / Revelation 21:1-7:  You'll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory. For your Maker is your bridegroom, his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! Your Redeemer is the Holy of Israel, known as God of the whole earth. / And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear form their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."

all readings for the day: Psalm 148; Isaiah 54:1-13; Revelation 21:1-7

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pray

Light of life, you came in flesh, born into human pain and joy, and gave us power to be your children. Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us, so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

Joy to the World

The Liturgists (feat. The Brilliance) 

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

How to make Candy Cane Play-doh (pic from 2011)

make something new today: a puzzle, a pot of soup, a poem, homemade play-doh....

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

Christmas daybook, 3: treasure all these things

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? (see previous Christmas daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Classical Paintings in Modern Life by Alexey Kondakov
source

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read

Luke 2:41-52 / Colossians 3:12-17: His mother treasured all these things in her heart. / And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

all readings for the day: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 • 

Psalm 148 • 

Colossians 3:12-17 • 

Luke 2:41-52

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pray

O Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. (source)

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listen

Still, Still, Still

The Lower Lights

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

Listen to the recording of King's College Chapel's annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on BBC Radio 4 (streaming audio available for 26 more days) 

Download the program and read along with family or friends. 

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

Christmas daybook, 2: Hallelujah!

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you?  (see previous Christmas daybook 2015 posts here)

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look

Girls Chorus
Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky, 1916
source

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read as a prayer

Psalm 148 (MSG): 

1-5 Hallelujah!

Praise God from heaven,
    praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
    praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
    praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
    praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
    he spoke the word, and there they were!

6 He set them in place
    from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
    and that’s it!

7-12 Praise God from earth,
    you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
    hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
    apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
    snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth’s kings and all races,
    leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
    and yes, graybeards and little children.

13-14 Let them praise the name of God—
    it’s the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
    he’s built a monument—his very own people!

Praise from all who love God!
    Israel’s children, intimate friends of God.
Hallelujah!

all readings for the day: Psalm 148; 2 Chronicles 24:17-24; Acts 6:1-7; 7:51-60

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listen

O Come All Ye Faithful

The St Philips Boy's Choir

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

Also: read about the Feast of Saint Stephen, held on December 26th (also Boxing Day) in honor of the first martyr of the Church

also this: Why the feast of Stephen, the first Christian martyr is so apt this year

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pray

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (source)

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)

Christmas daybook, 1: Merry Christmas!

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you? 

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look

Adoration of the Shepherds
El Greco, 1596
source

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read

Luke 2:1-7, 8-20: While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

all readings for the day: Isaiah 62:6-12  Psalm 97  Titus 3:4-7  Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20

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pray

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.   Amen. (source)

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listen

Joyful, Joyful
The Brilliance

(Also, feel free to listen with me to my ever-evolving Christmastide playlist . If you're looking for sappy, even sometimes cheesy, but fun Christmas music try my Christmas Eve (for my Momma) playlist. )

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do

Christmas Morning 
Carl Larsson, 1894
source

"In an innocent way, be merry today, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year." (Yorkshire Merry Christmas, Kate Rusby)

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In case you missed it, here's a helpful post I wrote a couple of years ago: 12 ways to savor the 12 days of Christmas.

(see all Christmas daybook posts from 2014 here)