Together, we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.
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December 5, 2024
published the first and third Thursday of each month
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And Advent Message from Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
Dear friends in Christ,
For the eighteen years I have been a pastor, I have worn the same Advent stole—oatmeal-colored, with a blue pattern of words and crosses printed up one side and down another. It often takes onlookers a few moments to realize that the words are a list of names: Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Judith, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mary of Magdala. The stole was a gift, and comes in other liturgical colors, but I’ve always found it appropriate for Advent—which remembers and anticipates God’s arrival in the world in Jesus, a story in which faithful women play an integral role.
Before Jesus was even born, his mother Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth; and both women rejoiced at the impending birth of their children, whose lives would be connected and filled with purpose: John the Baptist, as the one whose fierce devotion to the promises of God would prepare the way for the recognition of Jesus as God-with-us, and Jesus himself, Son of God and Savior of the world. In this moment, Mary sang a song of praise that was also a sermon, proclaiming that the God who chose her to bear the Christ child “has shown strength with his arm… scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts… brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly… filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:49-55).
Many years later, Jesus stood up in the synagogue in Nazareth—his home congregation—and echoed the song of his mother, recalling the words of the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus then declared: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21).
The words of Jesus, and his mother Mary before him, describe the promises and actions of God not as something that is about to happen, but as something God has already done! Even before Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, the words of Isaiah had already been fulfilled in him, “today”! Even before Jesus’ arrival, God had already “done great things,” restoring justice by lifting up those the world treated as lowly—including Mary herself.
Advent, we often hear, is a time of waiting: waiting for answers, waiting to know the way forward, waiting for signs of hope in a weary, war-torn, worrisome world. That’s why the wise words of Mary, and of Jesus, mean so much: because even as we wait, we proclaim in faith, in joy, and in defiant hope that God’s power of grace, love, and resurrection life are already real in our lives and in the world. God is already with the suffering, the oppressed, the fearful, the hungry. God is already working, in ways we cannot even recognize, to restore the world to justice, peace, and love. May the heart of Elizabeth and John, and the courage of Mary and Jesus, renew and sustain you in the waiting this Advent season.
In Christ,
Bishop Meghan
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Open Synod Staff Positions
Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni and the RMS Synod Staffing Team invite applications for the following open positions on the staff of the Office of the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA:
- Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries
- Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership
- Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events
These synod ministers will work in collaboration with one another, and with the rest of the team in the Office of the Bishop, to accompany and support the people, ministries, and communities of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Full job descriptions with more details are listed below.
We encourage all who discern a sense of calling and possess the gifts, skills, and experience for one or more of these positions to apply by completing the form below. If you wish to apply for more than one position, you will need to complete the form for each application. Applications will be received and reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we expect the application window to close approximately 40 days from the initial posting date. Please note that two additional open positions for Director of Evangelical Mission in the Rocky Mountain Synod will be posted by the ELCA Churchwide Organization on the ELCA job board; to apply, visit elca.org/careers.
Questions may be directed to Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni maelabouni@rmselca.org. All inquiries, as well as the candidate process, will be kept confidential by the staffing team.
Thank you for your discernment of these potential ministry calls; and please feel free to share with interested and qualified candidates!
l[;,,eam:
Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, Ruth Hoffman (Synod Vice President), Matthew Weber (Synod Executive Committee), Stephanie Lord (Conference Dean), Jeff Carlson (Conference Dean), Susan Sharkey (Synod Finance Team)
Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership
The Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership directs the synod’s strategy for accompanying rostered and lay ministry leaders during candidacy, first call, and continued formation, education, and support. In collaboration with the Office of the Bishop team and committees, coordinate key aspects of rostered and lay leadership development within the synod. This called rostered minister position offers a part-time (.75 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $48,420 to $84,710, equating to an hourly rate of $31 to $40. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and people served by the synod. View the job description HERE
Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.
Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries
The Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries directs the Rocky Mountain Synod’s strategy of accompaniment and guidance for synod congregations as they navigate transitions between called leaders and/or times of viability discernment, conflict, or crisis. This called rostered minister (pastor or deacon) position offers a part-time (.85 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $54,876 to $84,710, equating to an hourly rate of $31 to $40. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and congregations served by the synod. View the job description HERE
Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.
Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events
The Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events is a brand ambassador and event planner for the synod. This position involves three key aspects: Coordinate strategic communications on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) Office of the Bishop through multiple communication channels, oversee creation and promotion of storytelling for synod ministries and initiatives, convene and direct teams to design and implement all aspects of key synod-wide events, including the annual Theological Conference and the Synod Assembly. Called minister status not required. This position offers a part-time (.5 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $30,330 to $71,060, equating to an hourly rate of $29-$34. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and events within the synod. View the job description HERE
Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.
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IN THIS SEASON OF GIVING, CONSIDER SUPPORTING RMS MINISTRIES
BSC Good Gifts offers a meaningful way to support migrants in the borderlands. From cold-weather gear and essential care for newborns to kids kits and birthday celebrations, each gift brings hope to those in need in the U.S.-México border region.
Share compassion and change lives this holiday season!
https://www.borderservantcorps.org/shop
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SUPPORT RAINBOW TRAIL ON COLORADO GIVES DAY
NEXT TUESDAY IS THE DAY, DECEMBER 10!
Colorado Gives Day is an annual day of giving to non-profit organizations all across Colorado. Whether you live in Colorado or not, you can donate to Rainbow Trail on Tuesday, December 10th.
Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating non-profit organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even make your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Gifts made in the month of November on the CO Gives website will count toward Rainbow Trail's Colorado Gives Day total on December 10.
Give HERE TODAY!!
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SUPPORT LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES WITH "LIGHT THE WORLD" GIVING MACHINES
The Giving Machines are located at 2nd and Fillmore in Denver as part of the Cherry Creek North outdoor holiday market. LFSRM will be staffing them on Monday, December 16th. However, you can visit the machines on any day until January 5th to support LFSRM. There are no administrative or credit card fees charged and 100% of all contributions go to LFSRM.
https://lfsrm.org/
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Is your congregation interested in becoming a Sanctuary Church or supporting RMS immigrant communities and border ministries?
Get involved!
Learn - Volunteer - Give - Pray
Resources
ELCA Sanctuary Denomination Resources
ELCA Church Council Sanctuary Guidelines
AMMPARO Migrant Ministry
Become a Welcoming Congregation
Learning Communities
The Rocky Mountain Synod Immigrant Accompaniment Network is a group of individuals from across the synod engaged in accompanying immigrants in their community. The network meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 2-3 p.m. MT to ask questions, share resources, and support one another. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rev. Kim Gonia.
Offer Community Resources
The ELCA's AMMPARO Network encourages ELCA congregations and ministries to host "Know Your Rights" presentations for our immigrant neighbors. If you are interested in hosting a presentation, please contact a local immigration lawyer or the ACLU to request a presenter: https://action.aclu.org/webform/CO-request-speaker-kyr-presentation
Volunteer & Give to one of our congregations or border ministries
- Cristo Rey/Christ the King Lutheran Church, Denver, CO - Father Quirino Cornejo and Vicar Margarita Reyes
- HKBP/Montclaire Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO - Pastor Mercy Rumengan
- Caminemos Juntos/St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM - Father Quirino Cornejo
- Cristo Rey, El Paso, TX - Pastora Rose Mary Sanchez Guzman
- Milagro de la Frontera, El Paso, TX - Pastor Juan de Dios
- Border Servant Corps
- Lutheran Family Services, Rocky Mountain
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Global Refuge (Lutheran Immigration Refugee Services)
The witness of this church in society flows from its identity as a community that lives from and for the Gospel. Faith is active in love; love calls for justice in the relationships and structures of society. It is in grateful response to God’s grace in -2- Jesus Christ that this church carries out its responsibility for the well-being of society and the environment.
-- ELCA Social Statement: Church in Society
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Malagasy Lutheran Church Companion Synod Visit
A big thank you to everyone across the synod who helped make the visit of our Malagasy Companion Synod Presidents a big success. Between September 28th and October 6th we were blessed to host our companion synod presidents from the Malagasy Lutheran Church in the Rocky Mountain Synod – President Tsiri from Mahajanga, President Eugne from Sofia, President Jocelyn from Antsiranana, and President Fidéle from Sambava.
The trip was coordinated by ELCA Churchwide and all ELCA synods with companion synods in Madagascar brought their presidents (i.e. bishops) to visit. The trip began with 3 days of orientation at the ELCA Lutheran Center in Chicago. The RMS group then flew to El Paso where we began our journey. Traveling in a Suburban loaned by Bethlehem Lutheran in Los Alamos, Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson, Assistant to the Bishop; Terry Cole, RMS Global Church Network representative; and Patrick Rabezanany, originally from Madagascar who served as translator, visited 8 locations across the Rocky Mountain synod before ending our journey in Denver for the installation of Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni.
Our visitors experienced many aspects of our ministry, including the contributions of ordained women in ministry, partnerships with local non-profits, ecumenical partnerships, and even how to keep your church going without a called pastor. Along the way, our companion synod presidents shared their ministry successes as well as their hopes for the future. Throughout the journey, relationships were built and strengthened. Please keep our companion synods in Madagascar in your prayers and stay tuned for future opportunities to connect with our companion synods.
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New Excellence in Leadership beginning this January!
Excellence in Leadership (EiL) has opened enrollment for a new, 13-month leadership training cohort. This cohort will begin in January and meet on Monday nights from 6:00pm-9:00pm MT.
Over the past five years, EiL has walked with leaders seeking skills to meet the future of the church – a future we cannot fully understand yet. As we live in the liminal time of the church today, Excellence in Leadership is poised to walk with you, with leaders from across the country and from multiple denominations, in order to engage courage, resilience, and faithfulness in the midst of the unknown.
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2024 LSM Musical Advent Calendar
Experience the anticipation and hope of the Advent season with Lutheran Summer Music's fourth-annual Musical Advent Calendar. From December 1-24, immerse yourself in a daily moment of music and reflection shared on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages and archived on our website at LSMacademy.org/acal.
To have these daily videos delivered straight to your inbox, sign up at forms.gle/6Jw7DoDApTAgW4Uf6.
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A Big Band Holiday
December 19th 7-8:30pm
When the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder, come inside to feel the warmth of the holiday season. Augustana Arts presents the Denver Jazz Orchestra in a big band holiday show. Infused with jazz and swing, Denver Jazz Orchestra’s 19 musicians, including a vocalist, will present a festive performance of holiday tunes, ringing in the height of the holiday cheer. This concert will be the perfect way to ring in the height of the holiday season with your friends and family.
You can expect that the music will sound festive, lively, nostalgic, cheerful, and warm.
Purchase Tickets TODAY!
https://www.augustanaarts.org/tickets/a-big-band-holiday
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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Greek Islands
June 16-25; 25-29, 2025
A Multicultural and Ecumenical Spiritual Journey Experience
Experience the origins of your Christian faith. Walk the land where it all began, walking and visiting the
fields and holy places where Jesus was born, where Jesus preached and instructed his disciples,
where Jesus suffered, died, and was risen. The holy places where Jesus inaugurated his Church and
commissioned his apostles to spread the Good News of God’s unconditional love throughout the
whole world.
Explore the ancient wonders of Athens, embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey, experience the picturesque Greek Islands, where history and spirituality intertwine. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Greek culture, dive into the footsteps of biblical narratives, and deepen your faith alongside fellow pilgrims. Let the beauty of Greece's landscapes and the wisdom of its heritage inspire your soul and renew your spirit on this unforgettable journey.
Be immersed, spiritually and culturally, in the unique blend of holiness, history, and modernity as we also connect with the ecumenical Lutheran and Episcopal ministries in the Holy Land. You will return with a deeper faith, a clearer understanding and connection with Biblical places, a deeper connection with the universal church, and many memories that will last a lifetime.
Trip Leaders:
Margarita Reyes, Mission Developer and Vicar of the Latino Ministry Cristo Rey in Denver, Colorado.
For more information Please contact:
The Rev. Quirino Cornejo, Pastor for Multicultural Ministries and Witness qcornejo@rmselca.org
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Recreation & Revelation Continuing Education
February 9-14, 2025
If you love winter activities (downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and more), and you are looking for some "R&R" while engaging with amazing theologians and speakers, as well as other clergy and ministry leaders, join us for Recreation & Revelation. R&R is an annual winter theological retreat that takes place every February at Winter Park, Colorado, and has a rare approach to continuing education. This year, our speakers are Dr. Barbara Rossing and Dr. Ben Stewart.
For information and registration, head over to http://www.recreationandrevelation.org/
or contact Joel Pancoast pastorjoel@zionloveland.com
or Chad Kohlmeyer pastorchad@atonementboulder.org
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Learning Beyond Your Living Room with Urban Servant Corps
First Wednesday of every month from 11am-1pm
1660 Ogden St. Denver, CO 80218
Suggested donation of $20 for lunch, provided
Why join this on-going social justice lunch group?
This is an opportunity to expand your understandings of the world (and city!) around you. An invitation back to servanthood and social justice. A way of engaging with other like-minded folks for a better community.
During the Year we will address:
January 8: Racial Justice
February 5: Immigration
March 5: First Nations
April 2: Advocacy
May 7: Creation Care/Environment
June 4: LGTBQIA+
July 2: Israel/Palestine
August 6: TBD
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Bible Study with an AntiRacist lens
1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am MT
Grab your friends, your neighbors, your churches, your family, and join us in studying scripture! If you can't join live, DON'T WORRY! You will receive recordings. Don't forget to bring pen and paper to take notes, because it is a LOT of incredible information each week! The hour and a half FLIES by, and there is time at the end for questions.
This deep dive into scripture has helped people strengthen their relationship with God, with their communities, and with the Bible. It has helped preachers and bible study leaders, rostered and lay leaders by opening us up to scripture with different lenses, reading scripture as it's meant to be - with other perspectives. We dive into the context of when the stories were written, geek out on the original Greek and Hebrew, and explore different angles of engaging each text.
We use the lectionary texts for the current and then following weeks. This just means we engage scripture that will be preached in most ELCA churches (and other denominations) on Sunday mornings.
Give it a try, you won't regret it. Let's dive deep with ARTS.
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Save the Date: 20th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture Featuring Dr. Willie James Jennings
Join us for the 20th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET featuring renowned theologian Dr. Willie James Jennings from Yale University. Dr. Jennings will offer deep insights on faith, race, and philanthropy, drawing from his influential work, The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race . Join us via livestream - RSVP HERE - by April 1.
The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving.
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Interested in joining the RMS Veteran Servant Corps Project board?
We support Veterans/Military Members in various ways, including providing worship services at 3 Veterans Homes in the RMS.
Please contact Vicky Daub, Executive Director of VSCP, if you are interested at
lvdaub2@gmail.com
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Brave Experiments in Metro West
Monday, December 9th from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
The world continues to shift, and so does the church. Are you seeking ideas to navigate ministry in today's ever-changing landscape?
Join us for another dynamic 90-minute Zoom event, where we’ll explore innovative ministry experiments led by congregations in the Metro West conference. This time, we'll hear fresh stories from leaders who have ventured into new approaches, tackled challenges, and discovered meaningful insights to share.
What to Expect:
• Inspiring Stories: Learn from three congregations who’ve embraced creativity and taken risks in ministry.
• Interactive Small Groups: Choose a breakout discussion to dive deeper into a topic that sparks your interest.
• Collaborative Insights: Wrap up with a group debrief to share ideas and takeaways.
Let’s continue to learn, grow, and imagine together.
ZoomLink: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83148082766?pwd=OnHBkvqWMPagXSndWTL69ooaRzlmkc.1
Meeting ID: 831 4808 2766
This is a free event, but we ask that you register in advance: https://forms.gle/L556V12xfw73Ephe8
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From the RMS Creation Care Team:
Solstice Speaks to Environmentalists in 2024.
It can speak to everyone.
READ the full document HERE
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Installations
Barbara Berry-Bailey
Our Savior's, Denver, CO
December 8th at 3:00 p.m.
The color of the day is BLUE
Nicolé Ferry
Trinity, Monument CO
December 14th at 11:00 a.m.
The color of the day is BLUE
Martin Lettow
Westview, Boulder, CO
December 15th at 2:00 p.m.
The color of the day is BLUE
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Synod Assembly
May 22-24, 2025
Embassy Suites
Albuquerque, NM
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We pray for RMS Social Ministry Organizations (SMO's)
Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Ministry
Located in Brush, CO, Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center has been providing care for residents since 1903. Founded by Pastor Jens Madsen and sustained by the work of Lutheran Deaconesses such Anna Poulson, Eben Ezer grew from a small sanatorium on the plains of Colorado to a modern multilevel care system that includes independent living, assisted living, an Alzheimer's Neighborhood, hospice, rehabilitation, and in-home services.
Border Servant Corps
Since 1997, Border Servant Corps has served the community in the U.S.-México borderlands. BSC provides hospitality services to migrants released from the Department of Homeland Security.
Since the fall of 2021, they have welcomed more than 144,000 newly-arrived neighbors with dignity and respect. BSC collaborates with partners – community members, schools, churches, government officials, and organizations – locally and from around the country to bring people together to make a positive impact.
Lutheran Family Services, Rocky Mountain
LFSRM provides help and support to children and families during their most challenging times regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or age. LFSRM believes that all people, from the newborn to the most elderly, are valued members of our community.
With locations in Albuquerque, Billings, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Las Cruces, Pueblo, and Salt Lake City, they partner with communities to meet the unmet needs affecting their most vulnerable populations. LFSRM strives to recognize areas in need and to find ways to serve those who have seemingly become invisible. Every day, hundreds of people turn to LFSRM for refuge, help and hope.
Global Refuge
Formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Global Refuge is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the U.S. For more than 80 years, Global Refuge has provided the resources, guidance, and community to help forge a way forward for New Americans. They're committed to helping people reimagine the possibilities while providing a soft place to land. With more than 1,000 partners and 50,000 volunteers, they are the largest faith-based national nonprofit exclusively dedicated to helping restore a sense of home to immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Since 1939, they've built a legacy of compassion by walking alongside more than 750,000 new neighbors as they rebuild their lives in the United States.
Mosaic
Founded in 1913, Mosaic embraces God’s call and relentlessly pursues opportunities that empower people. Serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and behavior health diagnoses, Mosaic has listened to the wants and needs of the people they serve and built programs to make those things a reality. They tune in to what truly matters to people and honor individual choice. Currently, Mosaic supports nearly 5,000 people in more than 750 communities.
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We pray for RMS retired clergy.
There are 230 retired pastors and deacons on the RMS retired clergy roster.
Enduring and faithful God, we give you thanks for pastors and deacons who have answered your call to ministry - well done good and faithfuls servants. Bless them with good health and energy for new adventures. Give them a gift of joy this Advent season -- Amen.
Special Prayers
Please pray for Pastor Kristi Beebe (Atonement, Lakewood, CO) who recently suffered a stroke while traveling home from a mini-sabbatical.
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And while we wait for the Christ Child,
we are enthralled by the things of Caesar -
money … power … control
and all the well-being that comes from
such control, even if it requires violence
But in the midst of the decree will come this long-expected Jesus
innocent, vulnerable,
full of grace and truth,
grace and not power,
truth and not money,
mercy and not control.
We also dwell in the land of Caesar;
we pray for the gift of your spirit,
that we may loosen our grip on the things of Caesar,
that we may turn our eyes toward the babe,
our ears towards the newness,
our hearts toward the gentleness,
our power and money and control
toward your new governance.
Image: Magnificat by Jan Richardson
Poem/Prayer: Newborn Beginning…After Caesar by Walter Brueggemann
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