Where is God?

Here I go again, talking about finding a reference to something in nature that reminds me of Him. Yesterday, I was putting a few things aside to make room for the do-dads that I use to decorate in preparation for Christmas. It was a sand dollar, one of the many shells that I have found on the shorelines of the ocean. There is a story that goes along with the star, that is located in the middle of the shell. The story goes that Christ left it as a symbol to help evangelists teach the faith. Beside the star, it has five marks which stand for the cross and lance, made by the spear.

Finding Christmas is not a simple journey, it is a lifetime of "little things" that are placed before us repeatedly to help us find the "secret" path to "life." Picking the sand dollar up in my hand, reminded me of the vastness of the ocean and of vastness of God's creations, in all generations. Who can comprehend this one fact? No, it's not the incarnation alone, nor the star, supernatural as it was, light and all, nor all the other created material things that brought us to that place, Bethlehem, then and now.

We did not suddenly become adults, we had to learn to walk first. To discover first, to see things through the eyes of children, first. The wonder of Christmas, first. The joy of discovering is an important aspect in finding the "real" meaning of Christmas, eventually. Or, is it really a rebirth in us? A re-kindling of the only hope that we will ever know, and that which is necessary to thwart off the state of our fallen humanness, in our failure to love others. Are we redeemed, this time of the year, from our hardened and cold heart, as Scrooge, finding joy and love as we allow the "Spirit" to take hold of us willingly, to celebrate in love, all of creation which comes alive to us, through a loving God, whom no one can completely comprehend, and who loves us more than we deserve? How are recharged....?

We are born babies, completely dependant on another for sustenance, and life itself. What does that teach us about our relationship with God and humankind? What was His relationship with His mother, as He depended on her for His life? I think that babies love their mother's so much. I'm sure Mary loved Jesus that way, too. A love given to her from Him who is love. And her love to Him, which He himself created. The bible says, "God loved us first, we are created by Him. We have a great capacity to love, if we would only let go of self, and once again, trust. Isn't that where it begins, complete trust? There can be no love without, trust. Gift giving is the fruit of love that flows from our hearts. We do not need presents when we are loved, as everything we experience is a present to us. Love is all we will ever "really" need.

How can you experience Christmas without love for someone else? Ponder deeply, who is holding you? Do you want to be loved? What stops you from receiving the love of Christ, given through another? Mary held Jesus close, nourished Him, and kissed Him while heaven and nature sang, each in their own way. And, the wise men and shepherds worshiped Him. You cannot experience love, if you reject it, and are unwilling to receive it. God does not force Himself on other's. He has given you the gift of free will. God forgave. We need to forgive, also.

I am not a scholar, for if I were, I would have missed out on the lessons which do not come from anything written, but are experienced from within. Intellectuals, sometimes, in seeking to develop with their mind, look for the hidden things in a cave, and fail to find Him in the lower abode of the heart. With knowledge comes the understanding of Christmas, with love comes the joy. There is no Hope in knowing where God is without both. But of all these, only "Love remains," as knowledge will pass away.

This is the season of advent. A time to tell someone else, that they are loved more than they'll ever know, and that there is a secret meaning hidden in the cave of your heart.

All of Creation Rejoices in the apple of our eye

Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas. We enjoyed a delicious fish dinner following Liturgy, with our sister church.

Before leaving, I wished the priest and his family a blessed Christmas and we talked about some of his postings on face book. Finding Christ in nature and in His creations, we all can share beautiful thoughts about who, where, and the wonderful things our God has, and is doing for us.

The time to ponder on this is during this season of advent, when we naturally think of the days of old, our forefathers, and our many memories. The seasons add to this reflection, as they color our world and teach us about our Creator and His love for us.

It is a love story of a maker, fashioner and our God, who purposed us to share in the joy of knowing and loving Him.

He is the apple of our eye, and we are the apple of His, the bridegroom and His bride.

In Deuteronomy 32:10, He tells us that "He provided for him in the desert, in thirst of heat in a waterless place. He encircled him: He instructed him: He guarded him carefully as the apple of His eye."

Proverbs 7:2 "Keep My commandments, and live, and My law as the apple of your eye."

"Of all the trees of the woods, the "apple tree" gives nourishment with sweet fruit. In scripture, the apple is a symbol of favor. His commandments are sweet to those who thirst for the living Word." Taken from the Orthodox Study Book

Song of Songs 2:3 "As the apple among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I desired to be in his shadow and to sit down; and his fruit was sweet in my mouth".

2:5 "Strengthen me with cakes of raisins; Refresh me with apples, for I am wounded with love."

2:14 "Show me your face, and cause me to hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is beautiful."

We are the Bride (the Church), exalting the Bridegroom, those who thirst for the living Word, made flesh. He was, for our sake, born in a stable in Bethlehem; Be born in us today.

The Apple, Adam, Jesus and the wise kings

Some things don't change. If you look to the right of this copy you will see Nathan holding the famed Apple. Everyone knows the story of Adam and Eve, and the apple. It's been around for centuries, in fact since the beginning of time, I think....

I love this photo because it shows what we have a lot of here in New England, the apple. Each fall we head to the many orchards to purchase, pies, and many varieties of apples because we believe that the apple is one of the best fruits you can eat. Nathan and I have spent many days together and many days I would peel him an apple for a treat, instead of cookies.

Many expressions are associated with the apple, like an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or, you are the apple of my eye. The apple has special significance to me reminiscing Christmas past, when we would race to see what Santa brought us in our stocking. We always had an apple in the top of the hung stocking, followed by nuts, then an orange in it's heel. The stem of the sock always had coloring books and crayons, small toys and a candy cane. The reason we were told that we had an apple in our stocking was because there was a hidden message within.

The story goes something like this. The three wise men, who were told to report back to King Herod upon finding the Christ child, instead kept it a mystery. They were led to the cave by a bright star. The apple is a special gift to mankind, just like Jesus is. When you cut the apple in half, a mysterious and hidden star appears within, to remind us of the Star of Bethlehem and baby Jesus, hidden in a manager.

Grandmother was full of stories. She could tell great stories all about the wonder of Christmas, angels, sleigh rides, and boy could she tell funny jokes . Remember that song, "We need a little Christmas"... Why? Why did we need Christmas? Because of Adam....

The Genesis story tells us about another event where there was Eve, the apple and Adam , which brought about destruction and death. "Adam is a type, a prefigurement, of Christ as Head of humanity. Adam's decision brought about death and the law of sin; Christ brings life and the law of the Spirit, righteousness." Taken from the Orthodox Study Book commentary.

Sing all together..."We need a little Christmas Now".

Mary Did You Know

Being the season of Pre-Christmas, I try to gradually pull out little things that I have saved during the years, and in doing so, think of the person that gave it to me. Yesterday, I found at the bottom of my storage box, an item that was missing for a while. It was given to me by a dear friend, who we called Sophia. Sophia had breast cancer and lost her life the second time around. She was a very special person. Mostly, I remember her urgency of frequenting church. She was very determined to worship God. She understood how fragile life is, and at a very young age was taken from us. I think of her often, and as cantor, pray for her along with my deceased family members. I picked up the bell and placed it on a table in my living room. Somehow, she will be with us again this Christmas, each and every time I glance at it.

Sophia left a young daughter who is doing fine. All Sophia wanted in life was to live long enough to "church her." Sarah is a very sweet girl, Sophia has done a great job raising her in the short time that she had.

Sophia and I used to have discussions about our faith and I know that she had a very deep love for God. I will always miss her.

As I was awake early today, thoughts of her came to me, all because of the bell, which had an angel on it. She was an angel and her concern was for the souls of the lost, always looking to introduce others to her beloved faith, Orthodoxy.

One never knows what the future brings. I wonder if the Virgin Mary knew what would happen to her Son, Jesus, beside knowing that a "a sword will pierce through your own soul also)."Luke 2:35 The Orthodox Study Bible. The words came from Simeon as Jesus was dedicated in the Temple.

Not to long ago, I came across a song that shared some beautiful thoughts. Here are some of the words.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water...
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters...
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new...
That the child that you've delivered...
will soon deliver you....

In this advent season, these are some of my thoughts. How special the vocation of motherhood is...How special it was for Mary.

The Perpetual Union

Perpetual union means that once together, they will never be separate. Mary, the mother of God, since the moment of His conception in her womb, secured for all time a perpetual union.

Mary received the Word in her womb, and He took flesh from her, Mary, His creation. Jesus was both human and Divine and was born almost two thousand years ago, of a woman.

God did not transform Himself into flesh, but took on human flesh, growing until fully formed in the womb of His mother. Some Icons show that from the angel Gabriel and upon Mary's acceptance, out of respect for our gift, freewill , the Word, upon hearing, entered in through her ear.

In our humanness, it is difficult to understand these concepts: A Virgin, received God. This is true because the Divinity is above all transformation. God Himself has said, 'For I am the Lord, I change not' (Mal. 3:6). So one can understand the position of the Theotokos, God Bearer, to be one of greatness in all generations.

This is a great mystery. The fact, that God dwelt in a womb of a woman. She was made spotless at her decision. And in agreement, she became the Mother of God for all time. The same child, Jesus, born of the Virgin, is the only begotten Son of God, and God.

St. Paul, makes it clear that He Himself became substantially and truly man. (Gal. 4:4,5) "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.: (Gal 4: 4,5)

The Title: Theotokos, correctly given to the Virgin Mary, was a guarantee of the unity of Christ, Perpetually.

When you come to the stable, this holiday season, will you see The Christ, the Son of the Living God, who will be a small human baby, the son of Mary?

If that is all you see? look again, "For He is the Son of God who saves the race of men, the One called, Jesus. The One who we await His coming for the second time.

St. John (8:58) Taken from the Orthodox Study Bible, in the words of Jesus "Most assuredly, I say to you, "before Abraham was, I AM."

This week I read about Christians dying for their faith. The article told of countless victims and their stories. One stood out.

Entitled: A Catholic Survivor of Iraqi Church Massacre Speaks - International - Catholic online, By: Giulia Mazza 12-2-2010 (www.asianews.it/)
"When at one point I heard a voice I do not know who he was shouting to ...the terrorists: 'We die, we die, okay. But the Cross lives.' "

Yesterday, I went to the jewelry box where my cross had been placed, and I put it on. This will clearly tell all where I stand. And , that is for Christ. The same Christ in Christmas.....

The Glorious Second Coming of Christ

There is a whole lot said about the second coming of Christ. We can and do say it with confidence, as He told us Himself that He would return. What He didn't tell us is when.


Christmas preparation for the coming of the Christ Child also includes the reminder that He is coming for the second and final time. I found a web page whose focus is on Christmas Carols that have been dedicated, to this end. For an example: "And He shall reign forever and ever." Maybe you can guess where those lyrics come from?

This morning, I left the prayer service with this thought, as every generation did before us, right up to this one, the belief was that Jesus was coming in glory in our very own time. The reason given was that it is what God wanted us to believe, and he did this on purpose. In this way, we always would be preparing and looking for Him.


Since we do not know exactly when we will see Him, there is always a longing and hope for all restoration, a hope that has been with us, since the day He left the earth.

Christmas preparation is very serious business indeed. More important than shopping and frivolous occupation, which causes us to miss the reality and deep meaning of His coming. It is a time for reflection, and anticipation. A joy for all the world to comprehend and experience.

What's Going to Happen?

Most of us are curious, and many capitalize on our need to find out. But does the past really affect the future? People say that history repeats itself. Weather cycles, and other happenings often are predicted by data historically collected.

Today we again hear about the conflict going on between North and South Korea. Experts are looking to past events, to predict its outcome. One knows for sure, the same feeling of walking on pins and needles. Yet today, we read from Rumor Roundup: "Has NASA, (National Aeronautics Space Administration) discovered Alien Life?" Who doesn't want to know?

The word "heaven" can be described also as a "heavenly experience, or other worldly". We can get our minds around that concept by looking at the example of: The Angel Gabriel, who is said to have come from heaven, appeared to the young maiden, and virgin Mary, some two thousand years past, with news that would affect our future. Yes, our future, as that news, prepared the way for the incarnation of Christ the Lord. The Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us. You may remember it best when you think of the town of Bethlehem, and Jesus lying in a manager in a stable. All of nature rejoices with the heavenly account, of angels and shepherds. The sky, illuminated the star which predicted the coming of the King of all. Leading three Kings, who came to find and adore Him.

How curious are we to find the Christ, hidden in the manager of our hearts? How are we preparing to welcome Him? What signs must we look for? What are you willing to believe based on the historical accounts of non-believers?

Everyone has heard of the famous Nostradamus who is thought by many to be credible. "In 1947 Henry Roberts took Nostradamus to be warning of: "...a tremendous world revolution..." to take place in the year 1999, in the seventh month, with a complete upheaval of existing social orders, preceded by world-wide wars." Particular interest was placed on July 1999. The 'King of Terror' prediction would be fulfilled --and 185 books were written and appeared in Japan. He was believed by 20 percent of the Japanese, while in England, on Saturday July 4, 1999, TV Channel 4 featured this non-stop focus on the subject from 8:30 pm to 3:20 am. This information comes from the book written by: Ian Wilson, Nostradamus, The Man Behind the Prophecies. Wilson was featured on the History Channel's 2007 documentary on Nostradamus. A well-known author of highly acclaimed bestsellers The Turin Shroud, The Blood and the Shroud, and Jesus: The Evidence, and Murder at Golgotha.

Ian Wilson has a degree in history from Oxford University. I think we can count him among the knowledgeable and curious. I'm always curious about what others say about the author's book. Publishers Weekly, says the following:"Wilson (treats) Nostradamus as a man rather than a mysterious presence." So true...

What happens when nothing expected happens? Does that render a prophetic guru totally and utterly discredited as it should? Of course not. Not in the case of Nostradamus....

What of the prophecies concerning the future? I can say with complete accuracy that we will celebrate the Birth of Christ on December 25th. History reveals the birth, death of Jesus, and was documented by non-Christians and Christians alike. There it is, a mystical birth, a death, the glorious Resurrection, and the prediction of the second and great coming! How much are you ready to believe? Are you just a tad bit curious? Then come to the manager, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and I think that I can predict the outcome.