To give control or use of something to someone else(Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)
“…But you don’t know what he did to me…”
“…move again?”
“…my kids…”
To give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc… “He surrendered himself to a life of hardship. (dictionary.com)
“…actions speak louder than words…”
“…my boss…”
“…the weather…”
“…my church…”
Surrender
A very simple word with unimaginable implications.
I never understood just how big the word surrender really was until this morning. I was passing by my little table top nativity scene and pondered the little empty space among the sheep, waiting to be occupied by my little ceramic baby Jesus on Christmas Eve.
An infant. A tiny, helpless, vulnerable infant.
It hit me like a spiritual truck.
Picture it – The creator of the entire universe, the God over all of eternity, the infinite, majestic Now who is beyond human comprehension…
Below is my mom’s Christmas card that she painted. Isn’t it beautiful? She does a fabulous job with light in her watercolors.
We focus on “light” during Christmastime. Kansas City kicks off the Christmas season with the lightning of the Plaza lights on the Thursday, Thanksgiving Evening.
At St. James, we light candles before each celebration of the Holy Mass, and we light a candle on the advent wreath each Sunday during Advent. We always have a light nearby the Tabernacle in our churches or home chapels to signify the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus Christ is called the “Light of the World.”
The Holy Spirit came down as “tongues of fire.” They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2:3
There are so many references to God as “light” in the Bible. Here are a few more: Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. Matthew 4:16
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5
Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. John 12:13
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:23
Wasn’t sure if I could keep up the pace of blogging each day in Advent, especially with all of the busy-ness of life around this time of year. But, it’s been fun to explore different thoughts on Advent and on seeking God, and sharing what others have to say on the topic. So far, so good.
The topic today is “Holy.”
A book reviewer misspelled my name in a blog post, typing “Holy” instead of “Holly.” She apologized. I said: “I’m trying to be Holy, but one extra letter in my name keeps me from it.
Photo taken in Lourdes, France by Holly Michael (trying to be Holy). Doesn’t that look like an angel above the steeple?
Well…maybe it’s more than one letter.
It’s tough being Holy and keeping the “Holiness” of the season in the forefront, especially this time of year when we should.
And it just seems like the “unholy”is having a heyday. Last night, the news reported yet another murder in Kansas City and the reporter spoke about the rash of crime during this season…that it was typical.
Last week we dealt with an onslaught of the unholy at the church (theft, unholy actions from addicts, and other crazy stuff). The struggles we and loved ones are having makes you wonder (and not in a good “Christmas wonder” kind of way).
But ultimately, THIS IS A HOLY TIME! And we should never let anything steal our hope and joy…after all, this is the time we celebrate the greatest gift given to mankind-Jesus Christ, our Savior.
My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. May favorite line from that song is…
Long lay the world in sin and e’er pining ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
THE SOUL FELT IT’S WORTH! WOW!
If only we could truly and always feel the worth of our soul, as God does. All we really have to do is look to the cross…then we would know. But the unholy always tries to steal away our self-worth. Time. And. Again.
May we all turn away from the unholy that assaults us and feel the worth of our souls this Christmas season and always.
God, our Loving Father, knows our worth…and HE is ALL HOLY. He sent us Jesus to redeem us. He gave us the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom. Nothing can take away from the Holiness of The Trinity and God’s great love for us. NOTHING!
Today, on Facebook, a friend posted a rendition of O Holy Night by Josh Groban, set to scenes from The Nativity Story. It’s amazing and helps us keep the holiness of the season in perspective.
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and e’er pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices.
O night divine O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
O night divine, O night, O night divine
Seventeen days in, and the tide has officially turned. After 400 years of nothing but the memory of ancient promises and a never-ending wait for deliverance, an old man met an angel and a young girl became pregnant. On their own, these two events may have seemed small and rather insignificant, but then – to paraphrase a common saying – all Heaven broke loose.
Imagine it for a moment:
The night is dark and perhaps a bit cool with the slight dampness of the midnight hour. The world is quiet. A gentle wind rustles the branches of nearby trees and sighs through the grasses before brushing softly against your cheek. Now and then a soft bleat can be heard from one of the sheep on the hillside, but no other sounds break the stillness of the night.
You know that the village lies just beyond the next hill, but it…
There is a place where the nonsensical becomes the most rational. Where the extraordinary becomes the obvious and expected. Where the simplest of ways births the most extravagant of wonders.
As baffling as it may appear, sometimes the incorrect is just plain right. Even when it all seems so very wrong.
Thus is the Advent season… this paradox of both arrival and completion. The conception of a Savior bent on rescuing a world at odds with its Creator. Announcing His arrival with the words “It is finished” already formed on infant lips.
From the stable, to the cross, to the empty grave…
Each step purposeful, blazing pathways of redemption through souls.
Each touch heavy with the weight of holy and free.
Each breath, from first newborn cry to last earthly gasp, declaring love unconditional for the enemies of the Divine.
I love the word “hope.” Just saying the word “hope” aloud makes me hopeful. I’ve been blessed to be able to travel a bit. Often, I put Scripture quotes on my photography and share them on social media. Here’s some of them that reflect hope.
St. James Anglican Church in Kansas City where we live and where my husband serves as bishop and rector
Two weeks after the 2004 Tsunami in South India, Tamilarisa. I used another photo of Tamilarisa for the cover of my nonfiction book: Tsunami 2004 – Still Waiting Through Waves of Hope
By our cottage on Sand Bay Point in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Behind my sister’s house in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
This one is not taken by me but by my friend, Lynn Baxter, while leaving for work in the morning in Canton, Ohio
On the porch of our friends Bill and Jane Graves in Springdale, Arkansas close to our church Corpus Christi in Rogers, Arkansas
In Lourdes, France on a retreat with Father Luca and Elisa
A visit to Estes Park, Colorado while in spending time in ministry in Greeley, Colorado at St Gabriel’s Church
In Yercaud, Tamil Nadu South India, (used in scenes from my novel, Crooked Lines)
Somewhere on the road, somewhere heading west 🙂
Big Horn Mountain, Wyoming close to our church, Church of the Holy Trinity in Sheridan, Wyoming
White Cliffs of Dover, Dover, England with our friend Father Britto
on the Isle of Iona, Scotland
In Bentonville, Arkansas with my sweet son, Nick, walking the trails at Crystal Bridges
Sand Bay Point, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
And one last verse of hope from the last book of the Bible:
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Four hundred years of silence from God and the New Testament opens up proclaiming that the promises made to Abraham and David are fulfilled in Jesus. Abraham had received the promise that his offspring would bless the Earth and through his descendants there is a continuation of that promise. David was promised that he would have an ruler from his line that would forever reign. These promises and all of God’s promises find their fulfillment in Jesus.
This genealogy shows who Christ is, but it also displays who God is and how he works. We see here that God used the most unexpected people to fulfill his promises, he used liars like Abraham and Isaac and foreigners, seemingly outside of God’s promises, like Ruth. God worked through David who murdered, Solomon who forsook God, Rehoboam who broke God’s kingdom, Hezekiah the prideful, Manasseh who fought against God, and Josiah who disobeyed…
Pretty Simple. We need God. Once we recognize that truth and seek Him, we will find Him. And what joy when that happens.
True. Christmas. Joy.
Seek Him this Christmas. Love this psalm and this amazing video done acapella.
Psalm 27:4-6
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 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. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
What Amazing Words of Promise! I’ve spent a lot of time in this past year with thoughts focused on waiting…wondering. When will I get that big breakthrough I’ve been praying for? When will I see the change I’m waiting for? When will God really come through for me?
We all ask these questions, but if, according to God’s Word, we are truly children of God, heirs….then our God, our “Abba, Father” will not and cannot abandon us. It is not the nature of God, The Perfect Father.
The problem lies with us not understanding His timing, or what He is going to work out through our wait and circumstances. Or what better plan He has for us. He will not let us down. He will not abandon us.
He will come ! Jesus Christ came down from Heaven at the perfect time for humanity. Heaven’s perfect plan. God will come through for us. He is our Champion, the Lover of Our Souls, Abba Father, Emmanuel-GOD WITH US! A breakthrough will come, even if it’s not exactly what we thought it would look like.
Let us trust, now. We must trust in His great Love and Mercy. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of THE KING. Let us open our hearts to Jesus, the Savior of the World. Let us turn our anxious waiting to thoughts of Hope, Joy, and Peace this Advent Season. Let us seek the Giver, not the gifts! “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
To conspire... act in harmony toward a common or agreed upon end. God wants to conspire with us [and] this means that God calls us to give our lives to God, to surrender completely, so we may live more fully. Dallas Willard
It hit me like a spiritual truck.
At St. James, we light candles before each celebration of the Holy Mass, and we light a candle on the advent wreath each Sunday during Advent. We always have a light nearby the Tabernacle in our churches or home chapels to signify the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. 
Jesus Christ is called the “Light of the World.”
What Amazing Words of Promise! I’ve spent a lot of time in this past year with thoughts focused on waiting…wondering. When will I get that big breakthrough I’ve been praying for? When will I see the change I’m waiting for? When will God really come through for me?
Holly Michael's Writing Straight 