The Barn at the Homestead

The Barn at the Homestead

Monday, January 2, 2012

Companions in the New Year

It came as a suggestion on my post of December 28--to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in a more spiritual way. Actually, it's the suggestion given for January 3, but I read ahead, and knew the first two days of the year were the perfect days for selecting my companions for 2012.  My spiritual teachers for this coming year are Hildegard of Bingen and Menno Simons.

Hildegard (1098-1179)was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, a visionary and a Benedictine abbess.  She was a woman ahead of her time in her thought and theology.  I'll be listening to music composed by Hildegard in addition to reading more about her.  You can learn more about Hildegard here: http://hildegard.org/

The second companion/teacher this year will be Menno Simons; born in 1496, Simons is often credited for the branch of Anabaptists known as Mennonites.  He died a natural death in 1561.  Much of Simons writings may be found online.  Here is a link that you may find helpful: http://www.mennosimons.net/

If you know of interesting reading materials about Hildegard or Menno, please comment!

Who do you choose in this year of grace?  Happy traveling.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year

Our deacon delighted us with a wonderful sermon this morning on this first day of 2012.  In the Episcopal Church, we commemorate today as Holy Name day.  In her sermon, our deacon read the text of a beautiful hymn from  The Hymnal 1982.  I share here with you the text of Hymn 250:

1.  Now greet the swiftly changing year with joy and penitence sincere;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

2.  For Jesus came to wage sin's war; this Name of names for us he bore;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

3.  His love abundant far exceeds the volumne of a whole year's needs;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

4.  With such a Lord to lead our way in hazard and prosperity,
      what need we fear in earth or space in this new year of grace?

5.  "All glory be to God on high and peace on earth" the angels cry;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embracce another year of grace.*

May your year be filled with grace; happy new year, one and all.


* From The Hymnal 1982; words : Slovak, 17th century; tr. Jaroslav J. Vajda (b. 1919)
music: Sixth Night, Alfred V. Fedek