Beloved Sisters and Brothers,
We were having a spirited discussion – each of us offering our own way of 'fixing' the world. Pretty much on the same political side of the coin, we still had a wide variety of solutions, e.g., taxation, regulation, or simple transparency. We could see lots of villains but in the end, knowing we were right didn't bring any of us peace or joy.
God's way of dealing with a broken world was completely different. God's response to our brokenness was to become one with us--Emmanuel. God became present in our lives in human form, and ultimately in human death. This was the way of Love. Healing and God centered love that transforms us (as selfish and self-centered as we are) into new and Grace-filled servants of the One, Holy God and of one another.
God chose to live in a world with us, like us, for us. Jesus walked the way of love: Love of God and love of neighbor, judging no one and offering new possibilities. He proclaimed Good News to the oppressed, joy to the sorrowful and abundant life to all (including you and me) if we would only give up what draws us from the love of God, take up our own cross and follow Him.
As I think about our spirited conversation, I realize that the peace which the angels promised Christmas night comes not from knowing what or who is right or wrong, but from compassion, love and being Christ's hands in the world. In the desert Jesus resisted the temptation to fix everything in one fell swoop of a miracle. He chose instead to be vulnerable and present to and with us – as individuals and as the people of God so that we too might be transformed and live God's promises.
So perhaps we can remember this Christmas that peace comes when we are people of good will, as we are servants to others, humble and in obedience, willing to die to our own sense of righteousness, intelligence, and entitlement.
Jesus' incarnation wasn't the logical answer, but it was God's answer – to our sorrows, our anger, our prayers and our lives.
One of my favorite Christmas hymns says it more elegantly than I ever could:
Love came down for Christmas, love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas: star and angels gave the sign.Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token: love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
--Christina Rossetti (found in Hymnal 1982 #84)
Blessed Christmastide!
The Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
Bishop Nedi's newsletter: This is an extra issue after a wonderful weekend in Madras and Prineville. . - Click the following link to view the latest issue of " Blessings" - Celebrating Baptism
Bishop Nedi Rivera's January schedule in the diocese includes a visit to St. Mark's Episcopal/Good Shepherd Lutheran, Madras at 5:30 pm on Friday, Jan. 6 and again at 10 am Saturday; she will celebrate Holy Eucharist at St. Andrew's, Prineville on Jan. 8 at 10 am; attend a special parish meeting at Trinity, Bend on Monday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 pm; take part in the Standing Committee/ Diocesan Council meeting Jan. 13-14 in The Dalles; and celebrate at St. John's, Hermiston at 9 am on Jan. 22.
The Rev. Rebecca Hendricks, vicar of St. James, Milton-Freewater, wrote the lead story in the January issue of a national Episcopal e-zine. It's about the all-church vestry at St. James and at a few more of EDEO's smallest parishes. Click here to read the story: http://www.ecfvp.org/vestrypapers/real-basics-for-vestries/all-church-vestry/
In an recent interview with Bishop Nedi Rivera, Haiti's Bishop Duracin says "I am so grateful to all Episcopalians who have been motivated and ready to help," says Bishop of Haiti Jean Zache Duracin, in a message to the Diocese of Eastern Oregon. Two years after a massive earthquake struck, things still are difficult, but "we are talking about rebuilding now, rebuilding the cathedral." Click here to view the video of Bishop Duracin's interview with Bishop Nedi Rivera.
Haiti - Enduring Faith - The ministry of the post-earthquake Episcopal Church in Haiti includes a school for disabled children, a home for senior citizens, rural medical clinics and 250 Episcopal schools. Click here to view the video.
Pray for the resurrection in Haiti. Pray for the victims of violent weather--storms and floods, earthquakes and tsunami--around this fragile earth, our island home. Pray for peace, and an end to wars.
In the diocesan cycle of prayer, pray this Sunday for the parish of St. Peter's, La Grande, and the Rev. Kathryn Macek.
Get EDEO news updates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/edeo_news
News at Ascension School Camp and Conference Center:
Ascension is excited to have a Constant Contact e newsletter. If you "Join My Mailing List" you can receive a newsletter in the fall and spring updating you on Ascension School news. Click here to go to Ascension'sweb site to join.
Ascension School Camp and Conference Center has expanded the age range for next summer's Film Camp, June 24-29; it's now open to students who will be entering sixth grade through students who will be in 10th grade.
2012 Ascension Camp schedule and registration forms are now online at http://www.coveascensionschool.com
Ascension's website now allows you to donate to Ascension through the website: http://www.coveascensionschool.com
Being Christ's Hands in the World...No Excuses!
