The True Spirit of Worship

 

The True Spirit of Worship

Last year, I went to prison for Christmas. I joined a group of chaplains who serve in a forensics unit of a psychiatric hospital to lead a worship service and pass out gifts to the patients awaiting evaluation for mental health issues. Since Hanukkah and Christmas coincided, the chaplains had planned sequential services to celebrate both. 

We arrived at the prison entrance with a choir made up of hospital employees, presented our identification, and walked through the metal detectors. Guards led us through the many locked doors to the chapel. We expected a good crowd since holidays are a welcome break in the monotony of imprisonment. As the choir warmed up, men and women, many with eyes downcast, filed in thanking the chaplains as they offered them bulletins and quietly took their seats. 

A chaplain welcomed them and invited them to join in the call to worship for the Christmas service. The choir began the opening carol. The congregation lifted their heads and voices to sing about the shepherd boy who saw a star that led him to a king shivering in a cold manger. The light of that star seemed to shimmer in each eye.

After the opening prayer, the chaplain asked for volunteers to read scripture passages. Many raised their hands and each read with reverence, sometimes stumbling over the difficult Bible names, but never faltering in their determination to share the good news.

The patient’s voices swelled the choir’s in the next carol. I noticed that the guards gathered in the back sang too. Two women guards, one wearing a headscarf, linked arms as they joined in the song, smiles lighting their faces. “Sing Noel, sing Noel, Sing we all Noel.” Noel — words of joy, a star of hope, a promise of deliverance. 

After the Christmas story was read, everyone joined in singing “Amen,” an American spiritual popularized in the film Lilies of the Field. Hardly had the notes faded when the rabbi took over the service raising his voice as he sang the traditional Hanukkah blessings: Baruch, atta ado-nai…” The choir joined him in a Hanukkah song. The congregation attempted to join in.

As the rabbi lit the candles in the menorah, he recalled the miracles, wonders, and triumphs the Jews celebrate at Hanukkah. The Hanukkah blessings echo their gratitude to God, who has kept us, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season of joy. Everyone in the chapel — patients, chaplains, choir, and guards — heard these words of comfort and repeated the responses of thankfulness led by the rabbi. We thank you, O Lord, for your deliverance… for your promise of peace… for your kindness. Words of gratitude, candles of hope, a promise of deliverance.

After the service, the choir sang a joyful carol as each patient came forward to thank us for the service and for visiting during the holidays. During that short hour, we were not patients and staff, prisoners and guards, Christians, Jews, or Muslims. We were people of faith, thankful for the hope of new birth, the promise of peace, and the miracle of deliverance. 

The true spirit of the holidays joined our hearts together. 

Day 25 The Gospel Story

 

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 25

Luke 2:1-18 The Message

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: 

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 The Message

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

Luke 2: 19-20 The Message

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

Challenge: Sing like the angels. Run like the shepherds. Seek like the Wise Men. Keep all these things deep within you. Hold them dear. Praise God for everything. Christmas has come!

25

Day 24: The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 

The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 24

Reilly sat down at the table and slit open the envelope.

Dear Lt. Reilly,

I am long gone. Thought I’d try my luck somewhere new. So hitched a ride on Santa’s sleigh and headed north –- or south or wherever someone like me can find to start over again. 

Guess you recognized my stuff in that basement apartment on King’s Avenue. No room in Santa’s sleigh. Don’t bother checking your stolen goods file. You’ll find receipts for all of it in this envelope. That family’s stable was pretty bare. The baby in the manger looked cold. They needed a wise guy to bring them some gifts. 

You won’t be seeing my name on police blotters anymore. That family was my Christmas gift. If they can make it straight, so can I. Tell them that good things can happen when you least expect them. Merry Christmas!                                                         Barnaby

Reilly pocketed the envelope and left the apartment. Tomorrow was soon enough to do police work. Today was Christmas and he’d just gotten a pretty good gift. A wise guy became a Wise Man. He headed for home with a light heart thanks to one special Christmas Thief.

Why He Came: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (NRSV)

Challenge: Good things happen when you least expect them. No one expected a Savior in a manger.  Are you expecting good things? Look for them today. Find them in the places you least expect. Head home with a light heart thanks to one very special Savior. 

Day 23: The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 23

Reilly was out the door and half-way down the block before you could say, “St. Nick.” He stopped by the precinct to question a few cons who had been guests of the city for the holidays. With bribes of cookies and eggnog, he got the information he needed. Hailing a taxi, he headed to Barnaby’s. 

Outside an old brownstone in a quiet part of town, Reilly pulled out his nightstick and eased open the door. Not a creature was stirring as he mounted the stairs. Barnaby was dreaming of gold-encrusted sugar plums, he’d bet. Reilly stopped on the landing outside of Barnaby’s door. The door was ajar. 

This would be easy.

Reilly eased open the door and peeked inside. The apartment was empty. Cautiously, he entered. The rooms were stripped, drawers standing open and closets and shelves bare. A wooden table stood in the center of the tiny kitchen. Something fluttered to the floor as Reilly entered. An envelope. 

An envelope addressed to him. 

A  Message for Us: Hebrews 2:16-18 So notice—His concern here is not for the welfare of the heavenly messengers, but for the children of Abraham. He had to become as human as His sisters and brothers so that when the time came, He could become a merciful and faithful high priest of God, called to reconcile a sinful people. Since He has also been tested by suffering, He can help us when we are tested. (The Voice)

Challenge: God addressed an envelope to humanity. He delivered it in the manger at Bethlehem. The message inside told of his love. Jesus became human so that we might understand that message. He didn’t come in the form of a deity. He didn’t come in the form of a king. He came as a child so that we might recognize him as one of us. 

Have you opened God’s envelope today? What message do you read? Read about his love today. Read your Bible or Google “God’s love.” So many verses will pop up that you might just shut down the internet. Copy one verse that speaks to you. Put it in an envelope to save. Open it every day to remind yourself of what Jesus has done and will do for us all. 

Day 22 The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 

The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 22

“I don’t know what to make of it, Officer,” the thin woman bubbled. “We found it this morning. We slept later than usual because we were so warm. When we woke up, we were covered with this.” She held up a heavy eiderdown quilt. 

“The children rushed out to the living room to see if Santa had come and we found a room full of packages!” She pointed to the pile in the corner. “The children insist that it was Santa but I don’t know what to make of it.” She pulled a blue satin dressing gown tightly around her thin shoulders. 

Reilly looked around the shabby apartment. Three cherubs romped in fleece robes among piles of torn wrapping paper and shredded ribbons. Bright red stockings hanging from the mantle sagged under the weight of the treasures inside. A silver tea set stood on the table next to a tiny Nativity scene. Reilly walked over and picked up the pot. Sterling all right. Must have cost a pretty penny. Reilly set it down next to the Wise Men offering gifts to the sleeping baby in the manger. Joseph and Mary guarded the child in his straw-filled manger bed. 

“We’ve never had a Christmas like this, Officer.” The woman’s eyes shone. 

Reilly looked away. Christmas Days like these did not happen to families like this. Something had to be crooked. He took in the blazing fire, the full stockings, and the excited kiddos. The boys each wore new mitts and the little girl was clutching a teddy bear. It was the shabbiest thing in the room, but she looked as thrilled as if it had been made of gold. His nose tickled as the mother uncovered a steaming tray of buttery pancakes and sizzling sausages that had been left on the small table. The aroma of Columbian coffee wafted through the air. He took one last look at the tiny Nativity and the Wise Men bearing gifts and thought about a wise guy he had better check out. He refused an invitation to breakfast, told the family that he would be in touch, and headed back home.

That afternoon, with his stomach bulging with roasted turkey, hot buttery yams, and plum pudding, Reilly snored in his easy chair by the fire. Something about this morning’s holiday scene swam into his dreams. That blue dressing gown – a gold B embroidered on the pocket. Those buttery pancakes.  Who did he know that fit that picture?

A Gift for All Nations: Luke 2:25-33 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.

     Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words (MSG)

Challenge: Even though the Jews had been waiting for him for centuries, very few recognized Jesus when he came. Simeon, an old man, a good man, waited expectantly. How do we wait? Wait expectantly. Look for Jesus today in the good gifts God has given you. Thank God for every one. 

Day 21 The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 

The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 21

The jangle of the phone roused Reilly once more on Christmas morning. Something was up on King’s Ave. The beat cop thought the lieutenant better check it out himself. Reilly heard Jenny and the girls squealing in the parlor. Santa must have come. King’s Ave. could wait a few minutes.

“Ho, ho, ho,” he cried as he stepped into the parlor. Peals of laughter exploded around him as the girls showed off their treasures. Annie grabbed him and led him to the tree.

“Look, Daddy,” she cried. “Jesus is in the manger. Now it’s really Christmas.”

Reilly followed her gaze into the manger. Jesus slept peacefully among the animals and dolls. Mary knelt in prayer. Joseph kept watch. Angels sang with joy. Annie’s face shone with joy. Katy knelt under the tree. Reilly kept watch.

“Come, girls,” Jenny called. “Breakfast is ready. Daddy will be home for lunch and after that, we’ll all go to church.” She gave him a meaningful smile as she handed him a steaming cup of coffee and he hoped he could fulfill her prediction. 

Shrugging into his coat, Reilly cursed the beat cop under his breath, kissed the wife and the girls who were still trembling with excitement about their gifts, and trudged out into the cold. Sometimes, he hated being a cop.

Your Place at the Manger: Luke 2:13-20 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! (MSG)

Challenge: Where do you stand at the manger? Do you worship with the angels? Do you kneel with Mary in prayer? Do you keep watch with Joseph? Do you run with the shepherds to find Jesus? Do you share the good news with everyone you meet? Do you hold these things in your heart? Reflect on the birth story of Jesus. Where do you stand? Act in that place today. 

Day 20 The Christmas Thief: An Advent Calendar in Prose

 

The Christmas Thief

An Advent Calendar in Prose

Day 20

Lt. Reilly jiggled the doorknob on 106. Locked up tight. He stopped to light a cigar. Smoke drifted up into the star-filled night. Dim lights glowed in the windows of the two upper apartments. The basement apartment was dark. All was calm. Glancing up at the stars brightening the night, Reilly thought of his little girls who brightened his days and their dear mother Jenny. He prayed that they were sleeping in heavenly peace as he crushed his cigar and continued on his rounds. His shift was over at midnight. He couldn’t wait to get home.

Barnaby eased the door shut and tripped up the stairs. A few coins jingled in his pockets as he stepped out into the early morning. Christmas twinkled in silent streets. He paused a moment to look up at the starry night. No angels sang. No shepherds or camels wandered down King’s Ave. One baby slept in a chipped manger in 1A. Three babies slept with their tired mother in a single bed.

Barnaby tipped his hat as he passed the 57th precinct and removed it as he passed into Saint Anthony’s. An air of expectancy filled the hushed sanctuary. A few homeless bums slept in the pews. A priest walked among them dropping blankets over their sleeping forms.

Barnaby stepped up to the votary and dropped a few coins into the box. He lit four candles then turned toward the creche. The baby now slept in the manger. The same sorrowful Jesus hung on the cross. Barnaby winked up at him then turned and walked down the center aisle and out into the dawning morning. 

He wondered if Maggie’s was open this early. 

Where Shall We Find Him? Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.         (NRSV)

Challenge: Where do you see Jesus in our story today? In the starry night? In the manger? On the cross? In the prayers of Reilly? In the votary candles? In the mercy of the priest? In the homeless men sleeping in the pews? In Barnaby’s springy step? In Reilly’s thoughts of home? The wise men expected to find a king in a palace; they found a Savior in a humble house. Where do you look for Jesus? Do you see him in a child’s smile? A willing hand? A generous gift? A quiet prayer? Look for Jesus in the places you don’t expect him. He will be there.