On the third day of Christmas*...

Yup, it's the 3rd day of Christmas. Three french hens anyone?

In the Ancient tradition of the church,(those still practiced in the Orthodox, Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions)the Christmas season is the twelve days following Christmas daywhich includes several important feast days. Today is the Feast of St. John.

Yesterday was the Feast of St. Stephen, the first recorded martyr of the Church. I suppose it seems odd, that we can feast as a way to commemorate a martyred saint. But then, we also remember all the saints are present in our celebration of the Eucharist. Methodist's prefer to call it The Lord's Table. But the geek in me likes the Greek word Eucharist, which means thanksgiving. I like the term Holy Communion too. It says a lot more to me about what takes place in the ritual. All the Saints, those members faithfully present in worship and those in heaven, united in the Spirit of Christ, coming together, "communing" to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ.

John Wesley was a big fan of "communing" as a means of grace. It is also a mark of United Methodism that we practice an Open Communion. I'm particularly proud of that tradition. In it we acknowledge that only the Lord and the individual receiving the elements really know what is on the person's heart and in their past. No matter where you come from, who baptized you or what other's may think of you. You are welcome to receive the Bread and dip into the Cup. And most importantly, it acknowledges that the Host of the Table, the one on whose behalf the invitation is extended is Christ the Lord.

American Methodism also made it's own history by using unfermented grape juice (and special Thanks to the Welch's Family for a pasteurization process too) when the Women's Christian Temperance Movement raised the hackles of many a distiller. Other traditions have suggested that recovering alcoholics just bypass the cup to prevent a step on the slippery slope. I find that smacks of elitism- or arrogance- or just plan inconsiderateness. Being a United Methodist means we work at finding ways to be inclusive and considerate of the diversity of circumstances of others in our faith community.

Part of my preparation for any Sunday Communion is baking the bread. As the pastor, I could ask someone else to bake the bread. Others have in the past. But, in the past year I began baking the bread. At first it was just to help the person who did it monthly when we inceased the frequency of communion. Now, I just find it a to be a spiritual practice of sorts. I don't think it falls under the list of regularly recommended practices. But for me it has become a time of prayerful meditation. I pray for the members of the church. I also use the kneeding as a time of personal confession. I like the time of preparation...most of the time. Every once in a while it feels like a burden, an obligation of more work that I would like a shortcut through. Come to think of it, that sounds like some objections I hear about coming to worship. When pressed for time, I will break down and purchase a loaf at the bakery. I'm usually not satisfied with taking the shortcut. The time at the breadboard is much for fulfilling. I feel more at peace with Christ, more in touch with the Spirit, more connected to the Holy place in myself.

So, tomorrow morning will be the fourth day of Christmas. It's been snowing# all day. All those "white Christmas" dreams are coming true. That's life in the snowglobe. We remember the most wonderful gift we recieved this year, was unveiled in Bethlehem long time ago and still comes to us each day.

blessings of peace and contentment fall heavily upon you,

Pastor Barbara

*For us liturigally minded church calendar followers Christmas has only just begun. (apologies to Paul Williams, Karen & Richard Carpenter.)
#Snow Diary 5 inches cleared this afternoon; and it's still falling.