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“Christians are to persuade by love, witness, Spirit, reason, rhetoric, and, if need be, by martyrdom; but never by force.

The church does not need, should not have, and must not covet the sword of Caesar.”  

– Brian Zahnd

Peace Be With You. – Paul

From Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston:

Peace. 

Peace to every house and every heart, to every nation and every culture, to every living thing.

Peace. 

That all life may find its place of safety. 

Peace. 

That the earth and the seas receive what they need to grow stronger. 

Peace. 

In intentions and results, in prayers and actions, in longing and commitment. 

Peace. 

To all the world. 

Peace. 

To every corner of creation. 

Peace.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of

Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He

went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign for you:

you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the

Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

It’s assumed that Mary rode on a donkey, but the Bible doesn’t say she did. 

It’s assumed there was an innkeeper, but it doesn’t mention one anywhere. 

It’s assumed there were three Magi, but it doesn’t give a number of those who showed up. 

It’s assumed there was a star overhead when Jesus was born, but it doesn’t say that either. 

It’s assumed that Jesus was born in a stable, but all it says is that He was laid in a manger – and that could’ve been any number of places. 

Christmas comes with many assumptions—some helpful, some not so much. 

Spirituality also comes with many assumptions, and the ones that fail us are the ones we make about what it’s supposed to look like, who is worthy for it to happen to, and what kind of outcome it’s supposed to have for us. Assumptions like . . . 

You should be more than you are now to be pleasing to God. 

Your weaknesses are in the way of God’s plan for your life. 

Your lack of religious excitement disqualifies you from divine participation.

You’re probably not doing it right.

Other spiritual people have something you don’t have.

Our assumptions hinder our spiritual journey in all kinds of ways, and the antidote to assumption is surprise. The surprise of Christ’s incarnation is that it happened in Mary’s day as it is happening every day in your lack of resources, your overcrowded lodging, your unlit night sky, your humble surroundings. 

It’s a surprise that life can come through barren places.

It’s a surprise that meek nobodies partake in divine plans. 

It’s a surprise that messengers are sent all along the hidden journey of life to let you know you are not alone.

It’s a surprise that you will be given everything you need to accomplish what you’ve been asked to do.

It’s a surprise that nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Nothing can separate you from love.

Your assumptions believe there must be something that can . . . But surprise! 

Nothing can. 

May you thank God with joyful surprise at how much you have assumed incorrectly. 

(author unknown)

Peace Be With You. – Paul

When the world is falling apart around you, understand you have no power to hold it together. The only power you have is letting go and releasing the chaos of your life into the loving arms of Christ to carry you through it. – Paul Bane

Peace Be With You. – Paul

A Season of Hope and Preparation   By Bridget Cabrera  Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’”(Luke 1:39-45, NIV)    Reflection: Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipation, and of hope. For many, this season is one of peace, love, and joy. Yet, for countless queer folks, the Advent of winter becomes a season marked by fear—fear of being seen, fear of being ignored, and perhaps worst of all, fear of being discarded. Family gatherings and holiday traditions, which should bring comfort and warmth, can often amplify rejection, loneliness, and the cruel insistence of conformity to heteronormative expectations. Added to this weight is the anxiety many carry as we approach a new presidency, where policies and rhetoric continue to threaten the dignity, safety, and rights of marginalized communities. In this tense and uncertain time, we long for spaces of peace, inclusion, and hope. Advent is a season of hope, yet I find myself moving through this time with exhaustion, longing, and fear. The story of Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter in Luke 1 offers a powerful reminder of what it means to be seen, heard, and embraced. Elizabeth, a woman who too had known the sting of marginalization, greets Mary not with judgment, but with joy and affirmation. When Mary arrives, weary and possibly uncertain, Elizabeth’s response is one of divine recognition. She affirms the blessing Mary carries and calls out the joy that leaps within her unborn child. In the midst of their shared struggles, these women are given space to be fully known, loved, and celebrated. The nativity story, so familiar and beloved, also tells of a marginalized family searching for refuge—a place where they can exist in their fullness and truth. Rejected from homes, inns, and establishments, they are ultimately welcomed into an unexpected space—a stable. Today, this space may resemble a small church group meeting in secret, a support network formed by chosen family, or a youth ministry taking a brave step to embrace inclusion and love. These sacred spaces become nativities where the Divine meets us in our wholeness. In the glow of these unexpected places, strangers gather, families are redefined, and hope is restored. Here, we find reflections of the Magi in the elders who paved the way before us, of angels in those we’ve lost to violence or harm, and of gifts brought not in gold and frankincense but in compassion, courage, and solidarity. Yet the light that shines in these spaces does not mark the end of our journey; it reveals the unfinished business of justice, inclusion, and liberation—work that requires all of us. We are challenged to ask ourselves: What remains unfinished in our churches, in our communities, and in the systems we inhabit? A Season of Clearing and Planting Seeds of Hope Advent may mark a period of waiting, but this waiting is active—like gardeners preparing the soil. As we move through the in-between time, much like the final days of winter anticipating spring, we are called to clear the clutter in our lives, systems, and communities. Where do we need to disturb the ground so that new seeds of justice and hope may sprout? The act of “clearing” requires courage and discernment. It may mean facing uncomfortable truths about our complicity in exclusion, our silences in the face of harm, or our hesitations to act boldly. It also means making space for new life: for queer people and people of color to flourish, for spaces that welcome all people, for justice to prevail, and for marginalized voices to be centered.  This Advent season, search for the nativity in unexpected places. Where do you see light breaking through the darkness? Where do you encounter God’s love among those cast aside? Ask yourself: What unfinished business of justice remains in my life, my community, and my church? How am I called to honor and uplift those on the margins? Where can I use my privilege and voice to challenge systems of power and create safe havens of peace, love, and justice? Advent calls us not to passive waiting but to action—to rise in love and solidarity with those most vulnerable, ensuring that peace exists for everyone, not just a privileged few. Today’s clearing and planting is what prepares the garden for tomorrow’s blooms. Advent is not about passive waiting. It is about preparation—about clearing, preparing, and planting seeds of hope. This season, let us rise together, creating a world where light shines boldly in the margins, where unfinished business is confronted with courage, and where peace exists for all. Like gardeners anticipating the first blooms of spring, may we prepare the way for new life to erupt—resurrected life, and God’s justice fulfilled.

BRIDGET CABRERA (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). Bridget has served as Deputy Director of the Reconciling Ministries Network (LGBTQ+ advocacy organization), a leader in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition (progressive advocacy coalition), and Executive Secretary for National Ministries (Program Officer Role) with United Methodist Women (UMW) national office. She holds a Bachelors in Science in Music Education from the University of Alabama, a Masters in Divinity from Emory University (Candler School of Theology), and an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Peace Be With You. – Paul

“We can also use other ‘A’ words for Advent: aware, alive, attentive, alert, awake are all appropriate!” — Father Richard Rohr ⁠

Peace Be With You. – Paul

From St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, El Cajon, CA

Night Meditation 

Oh, how easy, my beloved God, do I believe 

that I am in charge of my life,

that this day has succeeded because of my efforts. 

With humility I acknowledge that you have been the sacred source of the good that I have done and the evil I have avoided.

To raise that awareness, I now ask your gracious assistance as I pray for the following intentions (please name your intentions and concerns here.)

Tired of body but full of gratitude,

I prepare to enter into the healing embrace of sleep.

May this night be salve for both body and soul;

May it fill me with energy and grant rest to my mind.

Blessed are you, O Harvest of My Heart,

Sacred Source of All Life,

Ever-watchful Guardian of my sleep.

Text taken from “Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim,

A personal menu for prayer and ritual.” 

by Edward Hays ~

Peace Be With You. – Paul

Another carol to consider today.  Again, I hope it stays in your mind and heart today. 

Once in Royal David’s City

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 250

Text: Cecil Frances Alexander

Music: Henry J. Gauntlett

Tune: IRBY, Meter: 87.87.77

1. Once in royal David’s city 

stood a lowly cattle shed, 

where a mother laid her baby 

in a manger for his bed; 

Mary, loving mother mild, 

Jesus Christ, her little child. 

2. He came down to earth from heaven 

who is God and Lord of all, 

and his shelter was a stable, 

and his cradle was a stall. 

With the poor, the scorned, the lowly 

lived on earth our Savior holy. 

3. Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; 

day by day, like us he grew; 

he was little, weak, and helpless, 

tears and smiles like us he knew; 

and he feeleth for our sadness, 

and he shareth in our gladness. 

4. And our eyes at last shall see him, 

through his own redeeming love; 

for that child so dear and gentle 

is our Lord in heaven above; 

and he leads his children on 

to the place where he is gone. 

Here is a link to the video:

Mayfair Heights-Sunday Morning Service December 15, 2024

Peace Be With You. – Paul

One of my favorite hymns / carols is Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.  I hope that it also goes deep into your heart and soul today. 

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

The United Methodist Hymnal Number 196

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 

Music: Rowland H. Pritchard; harm. from The English Hymnal 

Tune: HYFRYDOL, Meter: 87.87 D

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus, 

born to set thy people free; 

from our fears and sins release us, 

let us find our rest in thee.  

Israel’s strength and consolation, 

hope of all the earth thou art; 

dear desire of every nation, 

joy of every longing heart. 

2. Born thy people to deliver, 

born a child and yet a King, 

born to reign in us forever, 

now thy gracious kingdom bring. 

By thine own eternal spirit 

rule in all our hearts alone; 

by thine all sufficient merit, 

raise us to thy glorious throne. 

Here is a link to the song in our morning worship today:
Mayfair Heights-Sunday Morning Service December 15, 2024

And if you rewind it to 6:06, you can also hear the Bell Choir play “Silent Night.”  Peace Be With You. – Paul