This Christmas has been filled with the unexpected and lots of loved ones in the hospital. My Nana (Naomi), Matt's Mom (DJ), and our 79 year old housemate (Bernard). All are doing well, please keep them in your prayers. We've been blessed by friends, neighbors and family stretched across the continent yet committed to being present, helpful, tender and supportive.
I preached at the 11 o'clock service last Sunday, and was surprised to notice as the gospel procession headed out of the choir and down to the nave, that the reading was not the one I had based my sermon on, YIKES! Apparently, the Episcopal Church chooses different lessons than lots of other churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary for the 1st Sunday after Christmas. I didn't get the memo. It is not the worst thing that could happen, but it sure was embarrassing. Anyway, you can check the sermon out here. I mention Peter Gabriel's great song, More Than This, below are the lyrics.
woke up and the world outside was dark
All so quiet before the dawn
Opened up the door and walked outside
The ground was cold
I walked until I couldnt walk anymore
To a place Id never been
There was something stirring in the air
In front of me, I could see
More than this
More than this
So much more than this
There is something else there
When all that you had has all gone
And more than this
I stand
Feeling so connected
And Im all there
Right next to you
It started when I saw the ship go down
I saw them struggle in the sea
And suddenly the picture disappears
In front of me
Now were busy making all our busy plans
On foundations built to last
But nothing fades as fast as the future
And nothing clings like the past, until we can see
More than this
More than this
So much more than this
There is something out there
More than this
Its coming through
And more than this
I stand alone and so connected
And Im all there
Right next to you
Oh then its alright
When with every day another bit falls away
Oh but its still alright, alright, alright
And like words together we can make some sense
Much more than this
Way beyond imagination
Much more than this
Beyond the stars
With my head so full
So full of fractured pictures
And Im all there
Right next to you
So much more than this
There is something else there
When all that you had has all gone
And more than this
Im alone
Feeling so connected
And Im all there right next to you