Meditative Video

Last week Pastor and John and I put together 9 videos for the season of Advent.  Nine! I look back in wonder at what we accomplished so quickly.  

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to a podcast about Christmas in the church in 2020 and realized that most people will not be worshiping in the church this season.  I thought it would be a gift to provide  a way to worship at home.  John and I talked about putting together two videos a week - one would be interactive for a family or friends to do together.  It involved lighting the Advent candle, listening to the Christmas story of the week, having conversation about the story, and suggesting a a "reach out" activity for the week.  The other one would be "meditative" and essentially a lectio divina as we hear the text several times and listen for God's word to us.

I wrote up the scripts which he edited and he ordered candles and arranged for a day of filming the videos.  By last Sunday we had 100 bags with candles and scripts for families in the church and every week we release two videos.

This morning I thought I would experience the meditative video - not critiquing it but just participating in the experience that is offered.  I found that it was very meaningful to me.  What I learn over and over again is that if we spend a little time with God - God will speak.  In the words of James Finley - "Sincerity goes a long way with God."

So, I heard the story of the annunciation three times. I have led Advent retreats for at least 25 years and this scripture is often central to our time together.  AND no matter how many times I read it - it continues to inform my life and my faith.  Here is the text:

²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”^[b] 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”^[c] 35 The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born^[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. ³⁶ And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Three phrases speak to me today::

The Lord is with you

  Elizabeth in her old age conceived a child

Nothing will be impossible with God

 These words remind me that in the midst of the isolation of this pandemic and my  continued grief during this season - the Lord IS with me.  And I trust that God's spirit is comforting, guiding and healing me.

I now, in my old age,  identify with Elizabeth in this story - who is surprised to find herself with child in her old age.  And it is a promise that God is not done with any of us - and that we can continue to "give birth."  God's spirit is a spirit of creativity and newness .

And as I  live through this endless pandemic and the challenging political scene and my own struggles with living alone, my faith believes that "Nothing will be impossible."  I pray, I work, I trust that promise.Julian of Norwich said:

All shall be well

All shall be well

and all manner of things shall be well.

As I reflect back on the last few weeks I believe that Pastor John and I "gave birth" to these videos that for some people will help them to worship and experience God's presence and "locution" to them.

 I continue to live in grace and gratitude. 

(you can access the videos on the Gender Road Christian Church facebook page or Youtube account )