"Alleluia, Alleluia, God comes to dwell on earth"

This year it has struck me that there are few Christmas carols or songs that include the "Alleluia" acclamation of praise. For the most part, Alleluia's are saved for Easter and the glorious celebration of the resurrection. I thought, though, that in addition to "Glory to God in the Highest" that is the chorus of the angels, it's appropriate to also sing out our Alleluia's with great joy.

What does "Alleluia" mean? We are proclaiming "Praise the Lord!" The gift of the incarnation is definitely reason to praise God for the blessings we receive as we journey to the stable and receive the gift of Emmanuel, God here with us. God's presence in the form of a human being affirms us and our journey; it encourages us; inspires us; delights us and brings us great joy. And we need to proclaim that joy from the depths of our souls, with boldness and confidence. We need to sing our Alleluia's because our lives our changed in that moment when we meet God face to face and as we are touched by God's grace and mercy.

This hymn is meant to share those themes, and especially our Alleluia during the season of incarnation. It is set to a favorite English tune that is familiar, and yet not so familiar too. I pray that you will be blessed in reading it, and perhaps in singing it too. I know I have felt blessed in composing it and in sharing it with you.

“Alleluia, Alleluia, God Comes to Dwell on Earth”

Tune: Forest Green
Meter: 86867686
 
Alleluia, Alleluia, God comes to dwell on earth.
God chose our human life to live, in Jesus and his birth.
To inspire our bleak and changing world to brighten each dark place;
all joy and hope and peace to bring to all the human race.

Alleluia, Alleluia, God comes to dwell on earth.
The story of eternity, a tale that tells our worth.
God delights in every heart and soul, in every time and place;
God blesses us with faith and trust and all through abundant grace.

Alleluia, Alleluia, God comes to dwell on earth.
The gift God offers, we receive, new life through our re-birth.
Hearts embraced and filled with abundant joy, we sing our hymn of praise;
Alleluia, Alleluia, our voices together raise.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2012. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Feast of St. Mary ... "Magnificat! We Sing Our Praise!"

Each year we transfer our celebration of the Feast of St. Mary into September so that more of the parish is in attendance to honour and give thanks for our patron Saint.

As I reflected on Mary, I was particularly drawn to how vulnerable she must have felt. She was young and on the cusp of a new life engaged to Joseph. Life was going along as expected. But God had other plans for her than what she had chosen or what others had chosen for her. She would be thrust into a life situation that would bring judgement, shame and possibly even death. And yet she was called, and in the end she would gladly accept the invitation into this vocation made known to her.

Think about how she must have felt in that first moment when the angel appeared to her and told her God's plan and the part she was to play. No doubt she felt daunted, overwhelmed, afraid, insecure and any other myriad of emotions. There were real risks in accepting this invitation before her.

She went to Elizabeth her cousin and in that relationship experienced a profound support and affirmation that this indeed was the ministry God was calling her to. Out of her conversations with Elizabeth, Mary accepted with joy the vocation that lay before her, to give birth to God's Son. There was so much excitement within her that she couldn't contain herself and proclaimed that wonderful and spirit filled song of joy we know as the Magnificat. She praised God for her relationship with Him and for the faith to embark on this journey that lay before her.

Now to be sure all of the other emotions didn't just go away. She still had to return home to her family, to Joseph and to the community she came from. Their reception of her was still to be filled with questions; her reputation would undoubtedly be tarnished; she might even be stoned as an obvious adulterous. Even feeling the security from God wouldn't take away her underlying anxiety and fear.

And yet she went back; she faced the potential consequences of her vocation. Not on her own, though. Rather, empowered and upheld by the Holy Spirit who had led her into this path in the first place. God was with her; God gave her the courage to go forward; God gave her the faith to sing and live that joyous song of praise. This is who Mary was created by God to be. And by God's grace that vocation she was called to would be lived out to the fullest.

Isn't the same true for us as well. Sometimes the ministries God places in front of us are daunting, overwhelming and cause anxiety in our hearts and souls. And yet there can be a real excitement too as we await with faith and trust the promised kingdom God is building. I know for me personally there is often a sense of anticipation and joy as much as there is fear and stress.

Out of our joy we like Mary are called to sing our own songs of praise; we're called to sing Magnificat too, and to trust that in so doing we will see through whatever ministry and vocation God invites us to participate in. Wherever God calls us to go; whatever God calls us to do; even in the midst of uncertainty and possibly even chaos, may our hymn to God be one of praise and thanksgiving as we claim our ministry as servants of the Lord.

These reflections led me to write these words to a hymn we'll sing this Sunday as we celebrate Mary and pray that we like her may sing our own Magnificat. The tune is the familiar "Old 100th".

Magnificat! We Sing Our Praise!

Tune: Old 100th
Metre: LM

Magnificat! We sing our praise;
lifting our voice with faithful trust.
God’s grace abundant helps us know
led by the Spirit, called to go.

Stresses can sometimes overwhelm;
daunted in what we’re called to do.
God’s promise, it’s within our realm
Magnificat helps get us through!

We question how we’ll meet the task
but know God’s blessing as we act.
Depending if and how we ask
removing barriers that distract.

Magnificat! May God be praised
Knowing God’s favor as we serve.
Despite the challenge, we’re amazed
God’s kingdom here on earth preserved.

Prophetic messages to raise
God’s voice proclaimed; we know it’s true!.
With confidence, we live God’s ways.
Magnificat! Brings life anew!
 
Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2012. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Advent Hymn ... "We Watch, We Wait, We Hope, We Pray"

Advent is a wonderful season of the church year that can so easily lose its significance and impact. From mid October society is moving head on into celebration of the "holiday season". The notion of patiently waiting gets lost. And yet what a profound experience it can be to wait patiently to enter into the saving mystery of the incarnation, the birth of Christ.

Advent is about watching and waiting with anticipation and joy for the encounter we will have with God through the gift of Emmanuel, God with us. God's message to us is clear through a baby born in a humble stall. And yet, we've made it so complex with our desire to explain and understand every nuance of what this mystery is about.

It's really quite simple; God has made a promise and God does everything possible to fulfill that promise, including sending his Son to become incarnate as a human being to experience fully human life as we know it. All God asks of us is to prepare ourselves spiritually for the encounter which has the possibility to transform us and our very experience of life.

How often do we feel like we have to cope on our own; that we have the resources within us to make things right; that we can fix what's going on around us and the things that are happening to us. The Incarnation reminds us that we don't have to do that. God is at work in each of our lives, every moment of our lives, even and especially when we find it hard to see and recognize.

All we're called to do is watch, wait and pray because to be sure there will be a glorious day. What that will mean for sure, who knows. But in that moment, with eyes and ears open, and with hearts and souls ready to receive the gift in store for us, we will know that glorious moment and experience the profound joy that God has in store for us.

So let's do what God asks of us; simply, let's watch; let's wait; and especially, let's pray!!

I wrote this hymn expressing these themes for the Advent season of waiting and preparing. May it remind us that there's merit in being patient; what we receive will be more than we can ever ask for or imagine.

"We Watch, We Wait, We Hope, We Pray"

tune: St. Columba
Meter: 8787

We watch, we wait, we hope, we pray
there’s yet to be a glorious day;
God’s promise is from ages past
a kingdom that is sure to last.

The world has changed yet stayed the same
despite the fact that Jesus came.
God sent Him with a message clear
God’s Kingdom is forever near.

Yet we as humans fail to know
as faithful we are called to grow;
the blessings of our faith and hope
as day to day we strive to cope.

God’s love and mercy, peace and grace
are gifts we’re offered to embrace.
The birth of Christ we’ll celebrate
new life, new hope God does create.

Unfolding mystery divine
a story that is yours and mine.
we watch, we wait, we hope, we pray
there’s yet to be a glorious day!

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2011. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Remembrance Day Hymn: "Freedom is a Gift to Treasure"

Although technically Remembrance Day is a civil observance of a significant day, it definitely has spiritual and religious overtones which are important to acknowledge and enter into. Depending on the focus of a church observance of Remembrance Day, the message of scripture, both Old and New Testaments, has much to say to us as we observe this solemn and thoughtful day.

I grew up observing Remembrance Day by attending observances at school and the local cenotaph. I remember when I worked in retail at Woolco, the store became silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was important to observe a moment of silence to remember and honor those who fought in the wars of the past, and all those who were in any way affected.

Beyond remembering the past, though, I think as a faithful observance of this day we are also called to look to the future and pray for peace and justice that comes about by means other than wars. The kingdom message of scripture is about a way of living which God intends for all people and the world which he created. I think God laments and cries when he witnesses what we do to one another, and to creation too, often in the name of goodness. And to be sure, our actions may be motivated by the best of intentions; I wouldn't want to downplay that. However, I believe that when it comes to wars, whether past or present, no one comes out a winner; everyone loses something; and for me personally, in the end we as a universal people are less because of it.

Scripture calls us to seek, know and share with one another a peace which is beyond human understanding. We can't create that peace; only God ultimately can. However, in our lives, relationships, homes, churches, places where we work or go to school, with our neighbors, and even with those we may disagree with and not get along with. We can't effect world peace on our own; but we can contribute to a more peaceful environment in our every day lives and relationships with others around us.

This hymn is written with faith and hope that God's peace can and will be a reality; that we will know a freedom which is a gift and experience justice like nothing we can ever ask for or imagine; and that we can learn that lesson, I believe, without the cost and sacrifice of human life. My prayer is that we can learn from the conflicts of the past, and the present too, that the world in the end isn't a better place because of war, hatred and violence.

"Freedom is a Gift to Treasure"

Tune: Hymn to Joy
Meter: 8787D

Freedom is a gift to treasure
peace amidst the throws of war;
justice worked out beyond measure
as we’ve never known before.
God’s intention is a blessing
hope for all the world throughout,
as we deal with issues pressing
which are often cause for doubt.

Prophets lay a firm foundation;
Jesus Christ the cornerstone.
God the source of our salvation
sets for us our hopeful tone.
Will we learn of the great freedom
without cost of human life?
God’s intention is His kingdom
living future without strife.

Instruments of war and hatred
used instead to till the sod;
acting justly, loving mercy,
walking humbly with our God.
Pray respect among all people
is the truth we come to know.
Christ we follow, His disciple;
peace and justice, may they grow.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2011. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

"Come to Me When You Are Weary"

"Come to me all you who are weary, and I will give you rest!"

What a hope and promise that God offers to us and freely gives to us, rest for our weary, tired souls!

There's a difference between feeling tired and weary, even though there is a relationship between the two. I am usually tired because I haven't taken the time for the rest and sleep that my body needs. For the most, being tired is a physical reaction.

For me, there is more depth to feeling weary. Weariness involves my state of being in my heart and soul; it's often about my spirit within me. There are many things that affect our spiritual state of being. Relationships with others, especially if they are strained; a situation where we work; family dynamics; a world issue or crisis; politics in an organization we belong to; issues that affect the church; and the list could go on.

Likewise, I believe that there can be what I'll call institutional weariness. Because of the environment I work in as a priest, I see that prevalent within the church. Being confronted with financial crisis, dwindling congregations, aging parishioners, buildings that are in need of restoration and repari and fewer volunteers to take on the various roles and ministries, it's no wonder we can be drawn into a weariness that is sometimes all consuming and overwhelming.

There are many things that lead us to feel weary, both individually and collectively. Thankfully, the gospel promises us that if and when we go to Christ, no matter how weary we're feeling, or what is the cause of our weariness, we will experience rest that is renewing and restoring for our souls. That doesn't mean the burden is completely lifted. However, we don't ever have to carry the heaviness on our own; God is present with us; God is a source of inspiration, new hope and newness of life.

I personally find myself feeling weary and am grateful for the gospel message that helps me find rest and peace. This hymn takes the essence of the message from Matthew 11: 25-30, such a well known passage, especially within our traditional Anglican liturgy.

"Come to Me When You are Weary"

Tune: Hymn to Joy
Meter: 8787D

Daily life is often weary, overwhelming us with stess.
God is present in each moment; God’s desire is to bless.
Troubles all around us spiral, burdens break our spirits down
We are never our own, trust the gospel we’ve been shown.

Come to me when you are weary, come to me and find relief;
I will give you rest and freedom in whatever causes grief.
Are you tired; feeling worn out; troubled with uncertain faith;
Come to me; I’m right here with you, offering the gift of grace.

Not just on our own we’re weary but as faithful people too,
day to day we’re often challenged as we pause and take review.
But together, through the Spirit, ours a confident new life;
we can be restored with promise; we can be renewed from strife.

Walk with me, I’ll walk with you too, as we journey on the way;
nothing heavy, no great burden tempting us to go astray.
Keep on living, keep believing, faithful on the path we walk;
come to me when you feel weary, trust that I will be your rock!

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2011. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

"The Upper Room, the Door was Locked"

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Although that is the proclamation of our resurrection faith, it's not uncommon to have periods of doubt and skepticism from time to time throughout our lives. This is often the direct result of a something we're experiencing that causes pain, grief, despair and confusion in our lives and in the world we live in.

Sometimes we think that to doubt is a sign of weakness or failure when it comes to being faithful disciples of the risen Christ. But the truth is, it's natural and very much part of our human condition to experience such moments when things aren't clear when it comes to our faith and we do find it harder to believe. I'd even venture to say that such moments are healthy, with great opportunity for personal growth in our faith and our relationships with God.

Thomas is most well known to us as "The Doubter". What a reputation to have throughout history! And it's true, he did doubt. But so did the other disciples until they themselves saw and recognized the risen Christ in their midst. Thomas wasn't there, though. And so, naturally he found it hard to believe what the others reported to him. He too needed to see the wounds in Jesus' hands and side. I prefer to refer to him as "Honest Thomas" instead of "Doubting Thomas".

In the end, though, where did his doubt and questioning take him? I think it made him even more of a believer and in the end truly a faithful follower of the risen Christ. I'm particularly drawn to his affirmation of faith, "My Lord and my God!" He went on from that experience in the upper room to preach the gospel in many places to many people who in turn came to believe.
Although Thomas has a somewhat bad reputation, if we're honest with ourelves, we are all Thomas. However, doubting isn't all that bad when it comes to our relationships with God. I think that doubt and faith go hand in hand. Times of doubt can and often do lead to renewed and intensified faith.

There aren't many hymns about Thomas, his doubt and ours too. So, I decided to write one. It pays tribute to the faithfulness of Thomas which can serve as an example of faithfulness to us too. It is sung to the tune "O Wally Wally".

"The Upper Room, the Door was Locked"

Tune: O Waly Waly
Metre: LM

The upper room, the door was locked
disciples gathered there in shock.
The risen Christ, He did appear,
His presence real to quell their fear.

I give my peace, my peace to you;
your life of faith now to renew.
There’s always hope in midst of grief
my presence here to bring relief.

Now Thomas he was insecure
not present there he was unsure.
His hands, His side I now must see
His faith restored abundantly!

Not unlike him we need to know
so that our faith can overflow.
Unsure within what it’s about
our life to walk assured throughout.

So honestly we struggle on
to greet anew the coming dawn.
The resurrection is our hope
with faith and trust so we can cope.

We’ll walk along the road ahead
assured that Jesus is not dead.
And with new life and spirit filled
we’ll carry on as God has willed.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2011. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.

"God is Present! God is with Us!"

In the next week I will be coming to the end of my sabbath leave from St. Mary's. I am thankful for the opportunity to simply be and to experience the presence and Spirit of God that is all around me, but which I'm often too preoccupied to see and recognize.

God is very present all around us! God is definately with us! Do we take time out of our hectic lives and schedules to appreciate that reality?

One day I saw God in the countryside during a drive through King township which included a walk through the grounds of the McMichael Art Gallery and the Kortright Conservation Center. On another excursion I experienced God in a walk through downtown Toronto: visiting places of worship, walking through a park, witnessing the poverty and in other ways too.

I attended two conferences on Spirituality and Photography: one in North Carolina, the other in New Mexico. These afforded me the opportunity to capture some of my experience of God through the lens of my camera. These were grace filled moments, and although I couldn't capture every image and every experience, as I look through the images I have I can return to that place and space where God was so visible and recognizable.

As a family we went to New York City. What an adventure into the urban culture. Amidst all of the hustle and bustle God was revealed to me there too. Like in downtown Toronto, God is present in the midst of the urban environment.

If you're interested, some of the images I captured, and the reflections that go along with them can be found on my blog "Spirituality in Focus" at www.spiritualityinfocus.blogspot.com

Out of these experiences, and the opportunity to simply "be" rather than "do", I have written the hymn "God is Present! God is with Us!" It expresses for me what I have learned and had the priviledge of enjoying over these past months. It is also a reminder to me that I need to take what I have learned and experienced and continue in this disipline even as I return to the stresses, schedules and responsiblities of my ministry at St. Mary's.

The tune is also one of my many favorites. It's a joy filled metre that proclaims a spirit of celebration and thanksgiving.

“God is Present! God is with Us!”

Tune: Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Metre: LM with Alleluias

Blessings surround us day to day
awesome and beautiful display;
God is present, God is with us!
But in the hectic lives we live
we often miss what God can give;
God is present! God is with us!
Sing our praises! Shout rejoicing!
God is with us!

Nature brings forth a broad array;
trees, birds and flowers to survey;
God is present, God is with us!
And in the urban centers too
God’s Spirit sets out to renew.
God is present! God is with us!
Sing our praises! Shout rejoicing!
God is with us!

Open our eyes that we might see
God’s grace so full of mystery;
God is present! God is with us!
Grace moments in our daily stress,
the sacred truth so endless.
God is present! God is with us!
Sing our praises! Shout rejoicing!
God is with us!

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2010. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.