Feast of Epiphany

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, and it introduces the new season of the Church year which usually lasts several weeks. Its length is affected by when Easter occurs; thus some years Epiphany Season is longer or shorter by a few weeks. During this season we consider the various ways that Christ Jesus manifested or made known that he was indeed God incarnate. Interestingly enough the word "Epiphanios" appears in the Greek (original language of the) New Testament. Today it is translated as “manifest” in modern translations of the Scriptures. (Throughout Epiphany Season maybe we will consider some of these texts.)

The Feast of Epiphany in centuries past was celebrated with as much enthusiasm as we now customarily celebrate Christmas. The Feast of Epiphany marks the arrival of the wise men that traveled from afar to find the child of most noble birth of which the Star in the Sky had signified. When the wise men entered and saw the child Jesus enthroned upon the lap of his Blessed and ever Virgin Mother, they fell to their knees in adoration. That these gentile men who were drawn to the Christ child and worshiped him, indicates that God’s love and promise of salvation is not only for the Jews, but also for the gentiles. As these men beheld and adored the Incarnate God, let us likewise bow our knee with the historic Church as she confesses her faith and glorifies God saying, I believe in Christ Jesus “… being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man…”[1]

Epiphany Blessings+
Father Daniel

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[1]Nicene Creed, Article II. Lutheran Church. Missouri Synod: Concordia Triglotta - English : The Symbolic Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. electronic ed. Milwaukee WI : Northwestern Publishing House, 1997, S. 31

Feast of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus

Today, the eighth day of Christmas, regarded secularly as New Year’s Day, is ecclesiastically the Feast of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. The remembrance of this day calls to mind that on the eighth day following his birth, Jesus was given his name, and the ritual cutting demanded by the ancient ceremonial law was performed upon his young tender skin. He who gave the Divine Law through Moses subjected himself to the same Law on our account. The sinless and completely innocent Son of God born of the blessed and ever Virgin Mary* was consecrated according to the custom of man so that he might fulfill all righteousness and bear our sin upon himself ransoming us from everlasting destruction. He who was named Jesus, which means savior, fulfilled the promise of God and has rescued us, bringing to us forgiveness, life and salvation. Oh what merry news this is indeed!

Blessings+
Father Daniel


*On account of this personal union and communion of the natures, Mary, the most blessed Virgin, bore not a mere man, but, as the angel [Gabriel] testifies, such a man as is truly the Son of the most high God, who showed His divine majesty even in His mother’s womb, inasmuch as He was born of a virgin, with her virginity inviolate. Therefore she is truly the mother of God, and nevertheless remained a virgin.[1]

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[1]Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII paragraph 24.
Lutheran Church. Missouri Synod: Concordia Triglotta - English : The Symbolic Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. electronic ed. Milwaukee WI : Northwestern Publishing House, 1997, S. 1023

Illumination

My family gave me a superb Christmas present. It is a CD of beautiful sounds of nature and subtle instrumental music supporting a sublime choir of Gregorian Chants. If you want wonderful music for providing backdrop to cover the noisy distractions that annoy you while you are in prayer or at Bible study, then this CD is for you. If you need quiet music to soothe your mind while you sleep, this CD is for you. If you are looking for liturgy to enhance your spiritual pursuits then this CD is for you. Please, go check it out at this CBD link. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=CD47187&netp_id=516178&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

Blessings+
Father Daniel

Christmas Greeting 2008

Dearly beloved in Christ,
I wish to convey my Christmas blessings to you and thank you for allowing me to visit with you throughout the year. Our visits in person or over the phone have been the delight of my life and I treasure each and every moment. Each day I rise from sleep and I look forward to interacting with the people that God sends my way. I do so enjoy visiting with you and hearing of your joys and aspirations and yes to shed a tear with you as you encounter life’s setbacks. As I encounter life’s experiences with you as a spiritual father, may you be even more keenly aware of the presence of our Lord God through his Holy Scripture, which is my privilege to proclaim to you; and through the prayers I offer for you. Let us praise our Lord for his sublime love and mercy. In the fullness of time, God himself in Christ Jesus came to dwell with us and share life with us. He came to spend a period of time visiting with us, walking, talking, eating, laughing, praying, crying and dying with us and for us. Because of this when we cry he cries with us. When we sing and pray we sing and pray with him. When we laugh, he has laughed with us. When we die, he has died for us and rose from the dead; ascended into eternity that he may lead us to eternity by the path which he has prepared for us. That is quite a lot to stuff into one small package lying in a manger. In fact he was the embodiment of Omnipotence bound in swaddling clothes. He was Omniscience embodied in an infant who had to grow and develop. This occasion marks the entrance of the Everlasting to Everlasting into the space of a single calendar day and a life lived in Judea during the first century. Hail to the Son of God begotten from all eternity and born of the Virgin Mary. During this Christmas season (starting at 6PM Christmas Eve on December 24- Epiphany on January 6th) let us set aside times to ponder this incarnational mystery that the Almighty God the Creator of all that is has joined his creation to journey with us and work our redemption.
Blessings+
Father Daniel

P.S. For a brief Christmas meditation watch Aled Jones, in this (then and now) video singing O Holy Night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aP2FMuvwkk

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Benefits of Chanting the Liturgy and Burning Incense

Chanting the Canticles, Psalms and Responsories, along with burning incense are historical aspects of the ancient liturgy dating all the way back to the time of David and Solomon, and before. These practices endured through the time of Christ, through the era of the Early Church and through the Renaissance. At the age of pietism and especially in the age of rationalism of the 18th and 19th centuries, good European protestants decided for themselves to throw off the fetters of the past, ridding themselves of the supposed encumbrances of so called "Romish pomp" and medieval superstitions. In doing so the Lutherans who followed these reformed practices robbed themselves of some of the most beautiful and meaningful aspects of the liturgy of the Divine Service.

The traditional worship movement or the liturgical movement within the Lutheran Church is reclaiming the lost heirlooms of Historic Lutheranism and restoring them to their rightful place within the chancels, naves, and homes of Lutherans around the world. I myself, quite independently of this broader movement, was searching for historic and meaningful rites for worship which were deeper than what I was finding in the contemporary worship scene of the non-denominational churches. On my own I had found the richness of burning incense during evening prayers and the chanting of Scripture. Then as a twenty year old I later discovered that the Lutheran Church; with its standard Divine Service liturgy for the mass was exactly what I was looking for. After Twenty years now in the Lutheran Church I am shocked and saddened to see some Lutherans throwing traditional and historic liturgical practices overboard in favor of the ever new and changing contemporary worship genre.

The Lutherans sans liturgy will be left holding an empty sack because people are now searching for deeper and more meaningful worship practices. They are ready to make the journey and Lutherans are throwing away the field guide and compass. For those of us who are holding on and not giving up the ship, take heart! The interest in historic Liturgical practices is on the rise. Keep the coals burning and incense ready and keep your Gregorian Psalm tones in your oratories.

It is kind of funny to think about, that the Lutherans of the age of rationalism left liturgy behind as a superstition and today science is supporting some of these very same practices as good and useful. For example the use of aroma and music therapies have received wide acceptance. The field of psychology at one time which seemed so antithetical to faith has now underscored the benefit to be obtained from attending church, praying and meditating. I have included below as examples two articles from the secular media that espouse the benefits of chanting and burning incense. The first article addresses the revitalizing sounds of liturgical chanting. Click on the URL: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/06/na-listening-for-the-lord/The second article presents the findings of a study that indicate that burning frankincense may relieve depression. Click on the URL: http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/05/21/burning-incense-may-lower-depression/2331.html

Blessings+
Father Daniel

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra

On this December the 6th we remember and give thanks for the life and ministry of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. In the 4th century city of Myra in what is now modern day Turkey, there lived a devout and generous Christian by the name of Nicholas. As a young man his parents died and left to him a large inheritance. He gave it to those who were in need and he gave himself to prayer and living out his Christian faith. At a young age he was elected as Bishop of Myra; because of his youth he was called the boy bishop. In spite of this perception, he ministered valiantly as a man of God. Saint Nicholas is remembered around the world to this day, serving as a concrete representation of the abstract goodness and love which we all desire and long for. The only thing more enduring than his reputation is his message. Let us look to the message of Saint Nicholas and find the source of all goodness and love incarnate in the tangible and very real Son of God, Christ Jesus born to redeem mankind.

Blessings+

Father Daniel

P.S.

To read more about Santa Claus throughout history, click here: http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/christmas/santa/

A Summary of My Intentions in Support of Persecuted Christians and Victims of Violence

In my humble status in life and as I have insufficient financial means to adequately assist any physical efforts, I thus endeavor to pledge myself and feeble services in behalf of the faithful and suffering Christians. In my personal implementation of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Commandments I intend to undertake the following activities for the propagation of the Holy Gospel, the wellbeing of the entire Church, and the betterment of the world in which we live. Inspired by the above mentioned commandments, the words of our Lord and the prayer which he taught us, in addition to numerous other portions of Holy Scripture; I am embarking on a long term personal campaign of prayer, peaceful demonstration and speaking out on behalf of persecuted Christians, while denouncing all abuse and murder. (Also ref. Matthew 5, Second Corinthians 4 and Romans 12)

Prayer and Fasting: 1) For those being persecuted that they may be released and until such time, that they may have abundant spiritual strength, sufficient physical comfort and the ability to share the Gospel throughout the duration of their persecutions; 2) For the spiritual conversion of the persecutors, offenders, and observers; 3) For the end of persecutions in all forms which have the religious or political intent of suppressing Christians through such means as intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and executions; 4) For the rescue of captives, especially those held by human traffickers of sex trade or slavery; 5) For Christ to intervene with His healing grace in situations of physical and sexual abuse; 6) Against random acts of violence and for the ending of such horrific practices as euthanasia and infanticide; 7) For the comfort of the bereaved families who suffer the loss of a family member due to religious persecution or violence; 8)For those who convert to Christianity and are now at risk of persecution and death; 9)For survivors who live with the memories and physical scars of abuse or persecution; 10)For missionaries, aid workers, advocates, rescuers and those who relocate refugees of religious persecution and victims of human trafficking.

Peaceful Demonstration: 1) In special remembrance of Eritrean / Ethiopian Christians who are suffering intimidation, imprisonment, torture and death, I will daily continue to carry with me an Ethiopian Blessing Cross as an aid to prayer and pastoral ministry. 2) I shall regularly wear my black cassock, but with a red cincture (rope-belt). The cassock is the historic outer-garment (like an over coat or long suit coat*) worn by the clergy of the Church since the 5th century; it continues to be worn by some Protestants, some Roman Catholics, most Eastern Orthodox and some Lutherans. Though not frequently seen publicly in America, this attire is universally recognized. The cassock is black, a somber color, symbolizing that the minister is laying down his life in service to Christ and His Church. The red cincture symbolizes the blood of Christian martyrs. I am hereby allying myself with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who suffer on account of their Christian faith, and this attire can straightforwardly serve as a public reminder of their hidden imprisonment, torture, and murder. *

Public Speaking: I shall continue to proclaim the Holy Gospel, and speak publicly (whether on my blog, in Church, during Bible classes, individually or wherever invited to speak) for those who have been silenced through imprisonment, intimidation, abuse, torture, and martyrdom. In the public arena, people will naturally enquire about my cassock and which tradition I represent, this will give me an opportunity to individually: a) share the Gospel; b) educate about the modern holocaust of Christians; and c) speak for the sanctity of life.

Non-Solicitation: I am asking for NO financial support; I only ask people to be aware, to pray for the persecuted Christians and to cherish the sanctity of life.


For further information you may contact the following rescources:

The Voice of the Martyrs
http://www.persecution.com/

Focus on Persecution
http://www.focusonpersecution.com/

International Christian Concern
http://www.persecution.org/

Open Doors
http://www.odusa.org/

Release International
http://www.releaseinternational.org/

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
http://www.lirs.org/

Lutherans for Life
http://www.lutheransforlife.org/

Lutheran World Relief
http://www.lwr.org/

The U S Department of State, International Religious Freedom
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/

Blessings+
Father Daniel

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*For obvious reasons of practicality and others’ safety, I refrain from wearing the cassock & cincture while functioning in my capacity as a public safety chaplain.