… Take a Holy Breath and Sing
Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice…
December 11, 2025
Dear friends,
During this season of Advent/Christmas/Epiphany we are immersed in the story of God’s continual incarnation into our world. During this time of waiting and anticipation we hear once again the stories of Angels and their messages and in particular Mary's response. God has a gift for the world that God loves so much. This gift is an unexpected one and, for someone in Mary's context-unwed, of low estate, in a first-century Roman-occupied backwater-could be seen as an inconvenient gift. But Mary's faith accepts this gift as part of God's story. Her song, the Magnificat, demonstrates not acquiescence, but strength and purpose rooted in God's vision. Her gift to the world was her willingness to have her life disrupted, turned upside-down, in order to help God do a new thing.
Are we open to the ongoing incarnation of God with us and within us? Years later, Mary's son would share this faith with his followers: that we must make room in our lives in order to care for those we know and those we don't; to go beyond politeness and sentiment in order to reach for compassion, self-giving, and trust in God. Medieval theologian, Meister Eckhart, once asked, "What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God 1400 years ago, and I do not also give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture?
Are we willing to attune ourselves to the powerful message captured in the words of a hymn by Mary Louise Bringle.
In a far-off place, Jesus comes to earth. Sheep and cattle grace the site. As the angel songs begin, like the whisper of the wind, nature's hope awakes again; Jesus comes.
For the poor in heart, Jesus comes to earth. Humble shepherds start the news. For each homeless infant born, for the meek and those who mourn, for the weary and the worn, Jesus comes.
In our deepest night, Jesus comes to earth: radiant star to light our way. Summer's heat or winter's chill, with a warm and loving will, to a world that needs him still, Jesus comes.
Debbie, Laurissa, Robert and I wish you a joyous Christmas and the blessings of the season.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Rev. Stephen Fram