The Land In-Between

Well, here we are -- in between. Yes, between Christmas and New Years days. This is always a different time. Even work seems strained -- looking back to the holiday just past, and forward to what is coming this next weekend. This land is also the space of decades. The first decade of this century is coming to a close and we look back on the changes it brought. Way too many to mention -- you have a few in mind, no doubt. I have remembered elsewhere that this is the end of the 'oughts.' The word can mean 'zero', as in math. My grandparents referred to the first decade of the last century as the 'oughts." They did such and such in 'ought eight'-- in 1908. Few of us remember that nomenclature. There is a lot to occupy the mind, here in the 'in between' land of decades and years. Well, we gather up our memories and ready for a launch on the stream of a new year -- eyes to the current, leaning forward, little time for turning around. We watch for the 'vees' in the changing current of the river of time, the deep channels that will carry us through without scraping the bottom. Watch out for rocks and hidden logs that throw hazards across the way. Breathe deeply of the air of adventure. Praying for a safe journey, and a safe arrival when we reach our destination.
Blessings on your Journey,

Bill Spencer

A Prayer for Christmas (1)

Your Word is not void of meaning. Your world is not devoid of hope. Life is not a sad song sung to the darkness. Life is filled with hope that does not fade. In the near east, in an ancient city, the infant Christ was born. We are not alone. Every darkness flees before you, O Holy Child. You love us with your infinite love. We take hope. We rejoice before you this Holy day. This day the trumpets sound. The fields and floods clap their hands. The hills sing together for joy. Amen.

Bill Spencer

Gpa&Nannyalways

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A Prayer for Christmas Eve

At your Advent, Dear Lord Jesus, time, the great river, stops for a moment. Here the weariness of the journey fades before your gracious gift of life. Here, on this day, time does not drag us down toward the end of days; here it wracks us no more. In your gracious will, Dear Lord Jesus, we find relief from our sins, healing for our wounds, courage to replace our fears. Here we find hope that does not disappear the moment the contract is signed or the transaction completed. Here we find wholeness and peace. Here -- at your Advent -- we find a place unstained by the failures and sins of a life lived in struggle and grief.

Dear Lord Jesus, make known to each of us your holy presence. Let us be revived by your Holy Wind, your breath of life. May we be filled with the light dimly reflected in these little lights for which our earthly vision was made, so we may see your Glory in star and manger, in the cross and in the crown. We rejoice in your gracious will and offer words your gave us first…. pray the Lord's Prayer.

Many Christmas blessings,
Bill Spencer

The Joy in the Season

In the old tradition the advent candle for the third Sunday is a rose color. In some places the Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday -- from the Latin for rejoice. The idea is a turning toward the celebration of the Christmas events. Rejoice! It is easy to feel and say in this season of grace. May our hearts rejoice and may our lives be glad at the approach of the day when we celebrate the birth of our Lord. New beginnings! May they linger in our days ahead. Blessings on your Christmas preparations.
Bill Spencer

When silence steals across the land it seldom lasts. For a blessed moment you can breathe in the silence, listen for sounds beyond our aural limits. For a brief instant you can drink in the outpouring of the waters of the Spirit. You can see with spirit eyes a flickering of the wings of heaven. For a while earth senses give way to a different way of perceiving and all things are well, and all things coinhere, and life is new again. Precious moments. Then the phone rings or the door opens, someone calls for attention. Perhaps, in our day, the most frequent communication is the cell phone, as useful as it is. But I long for the holy time and live anew in those moments. Thanks be to God who breaks through the sounds of this journey and speaks in accents clear and dear.
Many blessings,
Bill

rainy days

I do not remember liking rainy days. They are just something to deal with. And when the cold is added in it just seems more like a time for a nap. Never said this out loud before, but it is truth. I know we have to have the moisture, but liking is another matter. I guess I have just endured them long enough not to complain much. But there is it. I don't like rainy days.
Blessings,
WS

The First Christmas Carol?

What was the first Christmas song? The logical answer is the song of the angels in the fields of Bethlehem. It is certainly at the top of the great songs. It would be hard to overtake the wonderful announcement of peace on earth, goodwill to all, and that today a savior is born for you. But the earliest songs of Christmas were sung some time before by the maiden betrothed to Joseph. Hers' was the fear-filled, joy-filled experience of the annunciation and hers' was the response that became the world's first Christmas song. It is called the Magnificat in the ancient tongue and the Mother of God, Mary, sang it.

Notice also that her rejoicing calls forth humility. Although she says, "For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed!" Her thought is not on the success of it, of the reward for something done. Her thought is not how famous she will be. Her thought was on the wonder of it. Her words express amazement that such an honor would come to her, a young woman from an obscure village in the Middle East. When she says that all generations will remember her it is not a boast but a surprise. "Me?" "Of all people!" No vanity there. Who was the author who said of one of his characters that Emily was bordered on the east and the west, the north and the south by Emily? Not pride, but meekness. She was the handmaid of the Lord. So she sang and so we remember all these centuries later and join her singing that first of Christmas songs.

So we begin the sing the songs of Christmas. I love them dearly. Each tune, each refrain is filled with hope of heaven's mercy. Each carol points to the One, the Christ, born to us in this holy season. But not a one could be sung had not there first been a song like Mary's. Hers is the first.

Mary sang the good news that was to come -- which had come upon her. She sang of the meeting of the divine rays of glory shining into and out from her son, who was the fullness of God himself. Sing, Mary, sing for us.
Bill Spencer

Fine Thanksgiving week end. Had thirteen folks for dinner Thursday. It was a family get together. Church this a.m. Visited some old timers this afternoon and still had time to watch football with Cheryl and son John. Feels good to have family close. Many things to be thankful for. Sunny day. Front door wide open. Doesn't that sound great?

The moving finger writes and having writ
Moves on, nor all your piety or wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line
Nor all your tears wash out a word of it.
Omar

Words from my youth. Read the Rubiyat when in college. Amazingly some words stuck..including the above. As the years roll by quickly these words seem not only to ring true, but with greater volume and clarity. The days pass swiftly, and as a friend said this morning, "Some day you will know all the benefits of age." So it is. Ah well, it is good to walk and breathe and watch the sunset. It is good to sing hymns and stand close to loved ones. Watched a young grandson play football the other day.. yes, just touch football.. and rejoiced in the years and all they bring. Hope that lasts for many years before the journey home. Blessings on your day. Bill

First page of a small book I wrote a few years ago.

How to Acquire a New Name

It happened so quickly that I still have trouble remembering all the details. One moment I was just "Grandpa," and in the very next instant, in the twinkling of a five year olds eye, I was the "Leaping Grandpa." That is a name I cherish. In fact, it is more than a name. It is a title. Of course no one would use it to introduce me. Can you imagine someone saying, "Now I would like to present Will Spencer, Leaping Grandpa!" "No way!" the younger generation would say. It is a private title, known only to a few: my first grandson, his Nan-ee, a few close relatives, and you. You won’t tell, will you? But first I should tell you how it happened.

It was after a move to a new house. One of the prizes of the move was to be a bit closer to children and grandchildren. So I was able to pick up the thread of adventure begun some time before with my oldest grandson. Josh is an adventurer. We have shared many adventures. We have explored the dark woods behind the house. We found the little rock creek and the deer home. We found the "bloody place" where animals had fought. We have explored other places too, like the zoo and the children’s carousel and the Boat Park – where, for a wonderful evening, we were both captains of a pirate ship. So the new house provided new opportunities.

We were poking around in the boxes in the basement. (We were still in the boxes in the basement stage!) We found a fishing rod and fishing net. We found an old bass caught some years before and mounted on an oak board. (That was to be the source of other adventures later.) But just now Josh looked at the net and decided to catch me in it. That was the beginning.

Soon we were in full scale chase in and around and through the boxes. At one point I was running at full "grandpa" speed and came face to face with a box blocking my path. Without a thought I simply jumped over the card board box, and continued running, until I heard the words unforgettable. Josh stopped at the box, looked at me and said, "Wow! You’re a leaping grandpa!" And there it is, for all time, named beyond my years, beyond the days, for ever and always in the eyes of a five year old and his loving grandfather, fixed in time is the moment of the name. I shall always remember. (Sometimes, I confess, I feel a bit more like a "creeping" grandpa; but not that day.)Here, then, are the reflections of a leaping grandpa, rooted in time and memory, meditations of the days of the journey to forever. May they add to your joy, give you a bit of hope to sustain you. May these words remind you of the good days of this wonderful journey toward home.

Willard Spencer
http://bellsouthpwp.net/w/i/willardspencer/seasons.htm

Someone once observed that graveyards are full of indispensable men, Mr. Jackson. Similarly, if my indispensable paper never gets written, the sun will rise anyway.

The older I get, the more I'm inclined to the "never stand if you can sit, never sit if you can lie down" school of exercise.

Philip R. Craig in Vineyard Enigma

Friends, The above quotes come from a favorite author. Craig was a college professor, retired to Martha's Vineyard, who had early training in seminary. Some of his early study shines through. Didn't always agree, but always enjoyed his writing. Snowed in here. Haven't seen so much since we moved here. Our snowfall usually just barely covers the ground and is gone by noon. Not this one. Glad I brought my down coat from Missouri.

Blessings,
Bill Spencer

A Fine Day

It was a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. The turkey, as you can see, was perfect, and the other elements added to a great feast. The real feast was having family around the table and near by -- at least on mobile phones. We enjoyed our Christmas season after a busy fall, filled with classes taught, grandchildren transported, and a fine Thanksgiving at Son Bill's house. We are well at the moment and awaiting the next blessing from the Almighty. May the days go well with you.

Willard Spencer