In this Sacred Story, Fr. Derek tells us the medieval Christmas story of Barnaby, the Juggler for God, and how everybody has a gift to give.
Sacred Stories with Fr. Derek is a collection of short children’s homilies by the Rev. Derek Larson, TSSF, priest at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Plant City, FL. The homilies are also given live on the last Sunday of the month at our family service at 10:30am.
We awaken in Christ’s body, As Christ awakens our bodies There I look down and my poor hand is Christ, He enters my foot and is infinitely me. I move my hand and wonderfully My hand becomes Christ, Becomes all of Him. I move my foot and at once He appears in a flash of lightning. Do my words seem blasphemous to you? Then open your heart to Him. And let yourself receive the one Who is opening to you so deeply. For if we genuinely love Him, We wake up inside Christ’s body Where all our body all over, Every most hidden part of it, Is realized in joy as Him, And He makes us utterly real. And everything that is hurt, everything That seemed to us dark, harsh, shameful, Maimed, ugly, irreparably damaged Is in Him transformed. And in Him, recognized as whole, as lovely, And radiant in His light, We awaken as the beloved In every last part of our body.
Questions for Further Reflection
In what ways can we embody the message of the Incarnation in our daily lives, particularly in how we treat our own bodies and the bodies of others?
How does the poem by St. Symeon the New Theologian resonate with your own experience of being in your body? What feelings or insights arise as you consider the interconnectedness of Christ and our physical selves?
In what areas of my life do I currently feel like I am in a state of darkness or uncertainty? How can I embrace this time as an opportunity for growth and transformation?
Reflecting on my past experiences, can I identify moments when I felt lost or directionless, but later recognized them as times of formation? What insights did I gain from those experiences?
How can I be more attentive to the ways God might be shaping me in this current season? Are there specific actions I can take to nurture my spiritual well-being during this time?
In this collection of poems for Advent, Tania Runyan imagines Jesus speaking to his mother from the womb, each poem from another stage of the journey of pregnancy. Much of the imagery of this homily was inspired by Runyan’s poems, which I encountered throughout this season of Advent.
In what areas of my life do I feel a need for transformation or change? How can I invite God’s love into those areas?
How do I perceive God’s love in my life? Am I more focused on trying to deserve that love, or on receiving it fully?
What are some specific “fruits” I can bear in my daily actions and relationships that reflect God’s love and transformation?
Reflecting on the examples from John the Baptist, what does it mean for me to change the way I hold my possessions, engage in my work, or exercise my privilege?
How can I create space in my heart and life this Advent season to truly listen to the call for transformation, and what steps can I take to live into that change?
How do the “wilderness moments” in my own life allow me to hear and connect with God more deeply?
In what ways can I intentionally carve out time during this Advent season to step away from my daily distractions and enter into silence?
How can the message of John the Baptist challenge me this Advent season to prepare my heart for the coming of Christ amidst the busyness of holiday celebrations?
In what moments do you find yourself feeling weighed down by worry, and how might shifting your focus to the anticipation of Christ’s coming help alleviate those burdens?
What practices or habits can you implement to help raise your awareness of God’s presence throughout your day?
Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by worry. How might the message of Advent reshape your understanding of that experience?
Resources for Further Reflection
Essay: “On Living in an Atomic Age” by C.S. Lewis I came across this letter/ essay by C.S. Lewis this week that he wrote in response to a letter expressing fear and anxiety around the beginning of the atomic age (this essay was published in 1948). While the atomic age continues to be something very concerning, I thought C.S. Lewis’ somewhat direct response of realism was relevant for all fears and worries that weigh us down, atomic or otherwise. In it he writes,
“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
C.S. Lewis “On Living in an Atomic Age”
You may find the rest of the essay interesting and can find it at the link above.
In what ways can we identify moments in our own lives when fear feels overwhelming, and how might we apply the message of “do not be alarmed” to those situations?
What does the metaphor of Jesus as a cosmic midwife mean to you, and how can it encourage you during times of personal turmoil or fear?
How can we cultivate trust in our lives, as described in the homily, amidst the uncertainties and challenges we face in today’s world?
In what practical ways can we support others who may be feeling like their world is ending, reflecting the calm and steady presence of the midwife as portrayed in this message?
In what areas of my life do I often feel inadequate or overwhelmed, and how can I shift my perspective to see that even my small contributions can hold great value when offered in love?
How do I define “enough” when it comes to my time, resources, and energy? Am I too focused on what I lack rather than what I can offer?
What specific actions can I take this week to practice giving what I have—whether it’s time, support, or resources—with intention and love?
Thoughts on Faith 