Yesterday we gathered around the communion table in the sanctuary for Ash Wednesday Communion. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty day span of time from now until Easter. Ash Wednesday has its origins in the early Christian church. The idea was that Christians would sprinkle ashes on their head as a sign of repentance and humility. Ashes represent mortality, humility, remorse, and repentance.
In the morning, I spent a couple of hours making ashes in my backyard by burning some fire woods. I mixed ashes with the anointing oil and brought it to church. During the Ash Wednesday communion service I anointed each one who was present and imposed the ashes on their forehead. "You are dust. To dust you shall return.. but remember, my friend, that the Lord is walking with you.."
It was a time of God's anointing, a time of receiving the touch of the Holy Spirit. It was a time of repentance and commitment. It was a time for the holy presence of God.
"Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (psalm 51:10)
Lenten Blessings!
When I was growing up, Christmas was all about receiving gifts. I looked forward to getting up early Christmas day to open the wrapped gift. Usually they were books and candies. They were so special because back in those days, my family could not afford new books and goodies everyday.. It was a very special treat we had once a year.
What does Christmas mean to you? I am sure that Christmas means different things to different people. For most people it is a time of fun and parties, a time to give and receive gifts.
"Dad, what do you want for Christmas?" My kids don't need to ask this question this year because I already bought a laptop sleeve for myself and brought the receipt to them.
Every year we knock ourselves out trying to find the perfect gifts to give and we call that Christmas. But it is not! It's not really Christmas at all. The true meaning of Christmas begins with the Christ Child who came as a vulnerable baby, grew up with the marginalized people, and died for all of us. He GAVE himself for us.
Do you know that Christmas is a time for giving, giving ourselves to God? We can give our gifts to God by looking around and finding God's precious people who are in need of love. AND reaching out to them in person...
Merry Christmas!
