Greetings from Peter Mayer

Friday, December 7, 2012

Stars and Promises-Light UP! - h2o devos loc 120712


+Ambrose, 397+ Bishop of Milan

“Friends and dear ones from our yesterdays,

Coming home to that familiar place

A sigh catches your breath
then a smile for

The season of Stars and Promises”
Stars and Promises by Peter Mayer

I often think of memories and thoughts as being like mp3 files. We “record” these experiences and compress all the emotions, thoughts, smells, worries and joys into data files which we then store on the “hard drives” of our minds, hearts and souls. Every once in a while we stop to play them or listen to them. Sometimes, it is too much to process. At other times it is just the right thing for the right time.
So, I know that this day, December 7th has a particular and poignant meaning for people who were alive at the time of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. I am grateful for those who served and continue to serve our country in the Armed Forces.

Today is a day in the church year that we celebrate Ambrose. His “rise” to church leadership is truly remarkable. He was baptized, ordained and made a bishop all within a week’s time. Talk about the “fast track” or accelerated candidacy process. Ambrose was a fabulous writer and exemplary leader. One of the hymns he wrote (and there are three of the in the ELW- Evangelical Lutheran Worship) begins like this

O Splendor of God's glory bright,
O living Spring of light from light:
come, very Sun of truth and love;
            come with your radiance from above. (ELW 559)

Peter’s notion that this is the “season of stars and promises” reflects such a heightened awareness of God’s presence, God’s light and God’s love.

I recently recorded a video (with the help of Tim Frakes) about baking communion bread according to the Luther Seminary Communion Bread Recipe (watch HERE).  I think it is fun, informational and inspiring.

A friend of mine said after viewing it, “you just light up in the kitchen.” And her words made me think about what it means to “light up” to be in harmony with the “season of Stars and Promises.”  

The reason why Ambrose was selected for leadership in his day and time was because he “lit up” the situations in which he lived.

As I watch Peter Mayer on stage connecting with the congregation/audience he “lights up” the event with his words of hope.

I think of school teachers and nurses who “light up” the lives of their students and patients. I’m mindful of “sandwiched generation” women and men who “light up” their parent’s lives and also their children and grand-children’s lives.

Just imagine what God is going to do with you this day during this season of “Stars and Promises.”

“Light up”
rtg

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