Pathways Press.com

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Allan Anderson

All Christians are aware of the Advent season. The story of Jesus’s impending arrival becomes foremost in our minds during the month of December and culminates with his birth on Christmas Day. It is the most demanding, joyous and family-focused month of the year. The year 2020 has added some additional dimensions to what we all may hope is coming, in addition to the most wonderful gift ever offered us, the birth of Jesus! Life outside of the church community is concerned about other comings. Will the end of the year bring the arrival of a new vaccine to offer protection against the continued COVID virus? As we move through December will doctors and scientists have brought forward new therapeutic regimens to help with current treatment options? Will we be able to gather together as a church community to celebrate our savior’s arrival?  Will families be able to join together in celebration and thankfulness for this very special time of year? There are also questions surrounding the arrival of the New Year, 2021. We will have completed the November election and hopefully begun the work of giving our nation continued positive direction that benefits us all. Vaccines, therapeutics, medical advances, and the sacrifice of so many will blend together and will direct a healthy and revised pathway that leads us in our faith, work, and caring efforts for the New Year and beyond. Advent is the “coming” and the arrival of our savior, Jesus Christ. God will send this light once again to strengthen our daily lives and actions that reflect our continued desire to follow Jesus, for life.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27:1, 5

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.

O Morning Star, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Hillsong Worship: O Holy Night

IMAGE: Painted by Connie McCoy of our church

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Laura Metzger

Joy is an emotion directly connected to Christmas. We think of the joy of exchanging gifts; the joy of children on Christmas morning; the joy of spending time with family and friends; the joy of celebration.  Sometimes happiness and joy are confused, however.  Happiness is often driven by earthly pleasures and is an emotion that can quickly disappear if things don’t go as expected. Joy, however, is a deeper emotion than happiness. Joy is a choice we make to pursue a life focused on God. Joy is more than feel good happiness; it is the inward peace and contentment we feel based on knowing God’s goodness. Joy is a deep-rooted happiness in the Lord’s strength and peace.  Joy is trusting when we want to doubt. Joy is celebrating when we want to fear. Joy is finding peace in times of anxiety. We demonstrate our joy by serving others, by seeing God’s work in the world, and by allowing our hearts to fully love each other. This Advent season is a great time to build Christ-centered joy into our lives by keeping Jesus in the heart of our celebration this year. Rejoice, pray, and give thanks that God is with us – experience the true joy of this season.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 28:7-9

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.

O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Andrea Bocelli/Mary Blige: What Child is This

IMAGE: Melani Pyke:  Good News of Great Joy

If using an advent wreath, light the two purple candles, the rose-colored candle and the third purple candle. The fourth candle represents peace and is called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace–He came to bring people close to God and to each other again.

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Irene Dickson (Continued from yesterday)

In the remote setting on the northern shores of Lake Kariba there were no churches. The village built to house the overseas workers was basic with dirt roads and not many facilities except a swimming pool…. and a factory shell that would soon be a sparsely stocked grocery store. My dad decided there should be some kind of celebration, so on Christmas Eve 1971 he organized all the families to gather in that empty building and celebrate the birth of Jesus. We had no pastor preaching the familiar story, no orchestra or choir leading us in worship, not even a chair to sit on. We did have candles-only because the electricity was not yet connected! A group of Christians worshipping together, someone shouting out the first line of a carol and everyone joining in, singing the words we all know and love.  The Village Church is beautiful in all seasons. The message and the music are powerful and relevant, particularly at Christmas when the campus is breathtaking, the meaning of the season profound. On Christmas Eve as I sit squeezed into the pew with John, our three young adult children, and friends who’ve chosen to join us, emotions overwhelm me. Whether in Methil, Kilembe, Kariba or Rancho Santa Fe, the songs, words, feeling and meaning of Christmas are the same. 

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Gabie Ntaate for NTV Uganda: Christmas in Peace and Harmony

IMAGE: Jesus Mafa (Cameroon): The Birth of Jesus with Shepherds

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Irene Dickson (Part 1)

My dad was a miner in the coal pits on the east coast of Scotland. Christmas Day was not an official holiday until 1958, and most folks worked unless Christmas fell on a weekend. When I was 5, and my sister was a week old, my dad left to work in the mines on the Gold Coast of Africa. My mom, sister Elaine, and I followed him a few weeks later and we spent the next 10 years on that continent where my dad worked in the Ashanti Gold Mines in Ghana, in the copper mines in the Ruwenzori mountains of Uganda, and at the construction of a hydroelectric power station at the Kariba Dam in Zambia.

Like many Christians in remote areas of the world today, we celebrated Christmas in any way we could. There were no department stores, many foods were difficult to get, and of course nothing came by mail except for trinkets and candy for my sister and me, along with dried potatoes and other necessities that were ‘smuggled’ in newspapers-the Sunday Post and the East Fife Mail-sent by relatives from Scotland. Christmas Day was spent at the community pool, along with all the other ex-pat families-many from the same area in Scotland as us. In Kilembe, Uganda, there was an Anglican Church. All were welcome and at Christmas time I remember the beautiful African voices singing our favorite carols accompanied by traditional African instruments mostly made by hand from sticks and animal skins. (Continued tomorrow). 

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 96:9-10

Worship the Lord in the splendor of hisholiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  God’s Grace Orphanage Nakawuka, Uganda: Merry Christmas

IMAGE: Church in Kilembe, Uganda (Submitted by Irene Dickson)

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Alan Goodman

Advent is all about “Coming”. La Costa Glen residents have been severely “shut down” for months and months to protect our vulnerable citizens. In the midst of not being able to go to church, going “virtual” as an alternative, we have experienced God’s presence here in a most unexpected way! This at a time when God was effectively shut out! La Costa Glen Management agreed for the FIRST TIME EVER to actually BROADCAST all the Village Church services AND the Village Church Bible Studies on our in-house TV system. We now reach almost 900 potential viewers, most of whom have never even experienced our church at all! Without this pandemic, this would never have happened!  When I think of “coming”, Jesus is being broadcast to more people here than ever before! It has been amazing to hear from non-church residents, Catholics, and other denominations who are seeing our Pastors every week providing the Jesus message. I know non-Village Church LCG residents watch because they call me about these TV broadcasts. In addition, Glenbrook Health Center also is showing all the Village Church services to those in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living on their own in-house TV system. That also has NEVER happened before. Glory be to God! He sure has come to this retirement community in all his glory during this pandemic. Hallelujah!

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 105:1-4

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  The O Antiphons are used at Vespers of the last 7 days of Advent in Western Christian traditions. The exact origin of the O Antiphons is not known but Boethius (480-524) referenced them. This translation is from the Church of England’s Book of Common Worship liturgy.

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Carrie Underwood and John Legend:  Hallelujah

IMAGE: Lindisfarne Scriptorium: Glory

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Vickie Stone

How perfectly appropriate to use Psalms as the focus for this Season of Advent. What other season does music feature as such a significant part of the celebration?! No doubt many have their favorite Christmas carols, yet this year for me, thinking of a song that was especially poignant for 2020 is the song “There Was Jesus”. I only heard about this song when I was on Zoom for the choir’s retreat in September. Renown pianist/lyricist/music arranger Joseph Martin (who has worked with our choir on many occasions) was the guest speaker from Austin TX.  He happened to mention he recently worked with Dolly Parton for arranging a song she did as a duet with Zach Williams. Now I adore Dolly Parton- her authenticity and her Christian heart. So when I watched the music video (included below) and then read the lyrics I was captivated by how perfectly this song fit with all the challenges the world has faced in 2020.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24:7-10

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates;  lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  From a 6^th century Gregorian Rite.

O Lord Jesus Christ, by your incarnation you united things earthly and heavenly. Fill us with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill, that we may join the heavenly host in singing praises to your glory; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Zach Williams and Dolly Parton: There Was Jesus submitted by Vickie Stone

IMAGE: Yongsung Kim:  Calm and Stars

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Michael Dyer

The search for Jesus and his birthplace by the Magi has forever seemed fascinating to me. These were people of prominence and stature in Middle Eastern society moved to make a long journey across foreign lands to an undefined location. No GPS, not even a rudimentary road map, they were guided by celestial navigation. In addition to the burden of an indeterminate itinerary, they came laden with valuable gifts, which made them a target of highway bandits. What a frightful journey for those who could have just as easily stayed at home in a comfortable tent! Yet God guided them in their quest and they found Jesus, the Christ child. Christ came not only to free the lowly shepherds, the outcasts of society, but the Magi as well, people of wealth and privilege who still needed and sought God’s saving grace. What a wonderful Savior we serve. Merry Christmas.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  Written by Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009), a Christian cleric and writer.

Father in heaven, you came to earth in the person of your Son, Jesus Christ. At the coming of your Spirit upon Mary inspired her to welcome the One who is her child and her lord, so also open our eyes to the gift already given. Forgive us our restless searching for your presence according to our expectations. Direct our searching according to your gift. May we, like the star-led sages of old, be ever guided to the appointed meeting place in the Child of Bethlehem. Amen.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Kirk Franklin: We Three Kings  (Submitted by Michael Dyer)

IMAGE: Rubens: The Adoration of the Magi

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Deirdre Smith

When I fall onto my pillow anticipating sweet slumber, its soft, down coolness delights my form. Throughout the night I flip the warm side of the pillow, trading it for the cool side for the ultimate in refreshment and comfort. This pillow-flipping of mine is a ritual. What’s more, I often hug the pillow and hold onto it in a tight embrace, as if my life depends on it. I suspect I am not alone. There are others like me, you who seek refreshment and sanctuary, now, more than ever. Of course, there are more obvious, traditional ways to seek refreshment. Refreshment for my daughter no doubt comes in the form of ice cream. Yesterday she begged to stop at a local ice creamery on the way home. Since I had spent the morning cleaning out the refrigerator, a task made difficult by neglect, it wasn’t hard to convince me that I had earned a healthy serving of coffee ice cream with chocolate chips. Pure joy and sweet refreshment! Swimming in the pool has been a lifelong favorite of mine and means to finding refreshment. Although our local pool is supposed to be heated, we question it is so as we slowly immerse ourselves in ice-cold water, but once we are fully immersed and recovered from the shock, we experience splendid refreshment. For others, refreshment or restoration is found in a haircut, a massage, shopping, a favorite beverage, an invigorating walk on the beach, or reading a good book. Netflix is a new one for me; as I write this, binge watching a dramatic series provides escape from daily COVID statistics and voting projections. When I was young, I sat on the carpet with my ears next to a large floor-speaker belting out ballads with Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Barry Manilow and the Carpenters. This probably wasn’t good for my hearing but these artists carried me away… As we close this arduous year of pandemic, politics, wildfires and more, we need refreshment and calm definitively. Further, we need refreshment for the soul. May we focus on Jesus habitually and seek to be refreshed in prayer repeatedly. God welcomes us to delight in Him and find refreshment and peace for our souls. He restores us.  As we embark on the Advent Season may we find in Jesus’ birth complete refreshment, and may we hold fast to Him, the babe born in a manger, and refuse to let go. He will never leave or forsake us. Let us cling to this promise as if our lives depend on it.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  Written by Deirdre Smith

Lord, you are my peace and refreshment, far better than earthly pleasures and beyond compare. I hold fast to you. You are my Rock and my Salvation— my comfort and restorer in a turbulent world. Amen.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Fernando Ortega: I Need Thee Every Hour (Submitted by Deirdre Smith)

IMAGE: Painted by Connie McCoy of our church

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Juan Carlos Acosta

It may come as a surprise as a church/choral musician that I am not particularly fond of Christmas music.  Besides the fact that Advent/Christmas has always been our most busy season keeping us from family gatherings, holiday parties, or even shopping. Most choral musicians start working on Christmas music months ahead of time, and as a conductor I have often been preparing that music since August. We circle back to the same dozen or so carols, despite hundreds or even thousands of truly wonderful settings. I know that familiarity and nostalgia are hallmarks (pun intended) of the season, however I find that because those settings are so familiar, we might miss the profound message that they hold.  “O Come Emmanuel” is one of a very select group of familiar Advent carols that we use.  I love the traditional hymn and tune, and the original Latin chant is quite stunning. The setting by Sir David Wilcocks for organ, choir, and congregation somehow feels like home.  However, occasionally a new setting captures my imagination and helps me hear again and perhaps in a new way the words of these familiar songs.  Contemporary composer, conductor and author Elaine Hagenberg composed a hauntingly beautiful new setting of “O Come Emmanuel.” I have now programmed it three years in a row for three different groups and I keep coming back to it. (You can hear the different versions on other postings!)

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 47:5-7

God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  Written by Scott Cairns, a contemporary American poet, professor, librettist, and spiritual  essayist.

Unknowable One, we stand before you, hardly daring to look up. We offer you our hearts, and pray that we may, this day and ever, worship you in ways that are true. Forgive us those days when we have worshipped false and faulty images we have shaped. Help our frail senses, that we may apprehend your Presence and your Love. In the everlasting Name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  The Gesualdo Six: Veni, Veni Emmanuel (Latin setting).  Submitted by Juan Carlos Acosta

IMAGE: Rochelle Blumenfeld: Hear My Praise

If using an advent wreath, light the first two purple candles and the third rose-colored candle. This candle symbolizes joy and is called the Shepherd’s Candle. To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. In liturgy, the color rose signifies joy.

Read Full Post »

Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.

REFLECTION: Written by Andrew Kukla, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from a devotional he wrote about the song “Breath of Heaven.”

Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel saying that she would conceive a child and give birth to a child who would be holy and be named the Son of God.  Mary had to figure out how to stay in relationship to a husband who was not father of her child, and had to journey to Bethlehem while pregnant and give birth in the most grueling of circumstances.  Mary  questions how she could do it, but also was humbly willing to serve – who responded to an unexpected calling with the simple but profound response “Let it be with me according to your will.” Mary went through a challenging sacrifice – and not because she signed up for it.  It is popular today to talk about serving in ways that you are gifted, that bring you pleasure, and that line up nicely with your gifts and talents.  And yet, this is hard to find in the biblical stories.  Mary didn’t sign up.  Mary didn’t feel gifted, and Mary only found the pleasure later… after the sacrifices… So many of our stories of faith are about unexpected people being called to serve in uncomfortable ways that end up fulfilling them.

She didn’t walk the path alone.  Her initial reactions are changed when Elizabeth rejoices at Mary’s pregnancy.  The community makes her see it all from a different perspective.  And the shepherds will give her more news that she will ponder and treasure.  Many people will encounter her and her story and when she sees the profound impact her life will have on them that which was a burden she could not imagine carrying became her greatest blessing. What burden are you carrying for the sake of others?  What burdens are we avoiding because we lack the imagination to believe we are the right person for the job?  How might God be calling us to just this kind of “sacrifice” which is actually great good news to all people… and blessings to our lives that we didn’t know we needed? Advent waiting and preparation – incarnation explosion… how is the Christ child wishing to be born through you this season in unexpected ways?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51:15-17

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Pause and meditate on the Scripture.

PRAYER:  From the Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula, in what is now Spain and Portugal.  Developed during Visigoth rule in the 500s AD.

O Lord, let your mercy be upon us, and let the brightness of your Spirit illumine our inward souls, that he may kindle our cold hearts and enlighten our dark minds; who abides with you in glory forever. Amen.

Click on the link to see and hear the music video.

MUSIC VIDEO:  Amy Grant: Breath of Heaven

IMAGE: Painted by Connie McCoy of our church

Read Full Post »