Author: Jana

This year after some consideration I have decided to cover advent differently than I have previously. I will lead with a definition, and then reflect on it using scripture. There may be no obvious conclusion, but rather just the space to reflect.

Hope is commonly defined as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen” or “a feeling of trust“.

In Christianity Paul’s letter to the Romans is often referenced with regards to hope. “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” 8:24-25

From a poet: “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley

From social justice and the movement of non-violence “The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

My local church decided last year to read A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans as a book study, and so over the course of the year the study group has read, studied, and pondered Evans book chapter by chapter. Initially, I was worried that it was going to be a bit on the floopier side of things; more a humorous undertaking, without a real understanding of the issues that come into play when taking scripture literally and employing it in today’s context, a context for which it was not originally written. However, after a year of working my way through this momentous book, I am in awe. In awe of what I have learned and have been better able to understand the scriptures and their contexts, as well as the personal journey that I have experienced and the changes within myself and my methods of thinking about scripture.

The book predominantly questions what is “biblical womanhood”, particularly for today’s post-modern woman. It does this by exploring the common themes and issues that Christianity has found for woman: gentleness, domesticity, obedience, valor, beauty, modesty, purity, fertility, submission, justice, silence, and grace. Aside from exploring these issues, each chapter is also paired with a woman from scripture, who possesses elements of the issue discussed. Studying these women, as well as the traditional context and biblical languages are what allows the reader to enter into a deeper understanding of passages that reference the common themes. While Evans is undeniably witty, this is also a profound book with accurate references and facts that are made accessible to all regardless of their faith upbringing, or biblical knowledge and understanding.

I would recommend this book because while it is light-hearted and a straightforward read, it is anything but fluffy.

Over the past few days I have been thinking about the church today, and what sort of future it has. While dwelling on this theme I thought back to what we know about the earlier church and the beginnings of Christianity; what we know about how early Christians in many ways worked counter-cultural to the world in which they lived. A world that did not empower the weak: women, children, widows, slaves and how in many ways the inequality in the church today is among it’s great shortcomings. This is particularly notable today when the culture is seeking to empower women, youth, LGBTQ, and other minorities. In some areas of the Christian Church (although thankfully not all) and other religions this empowerment is an issue, a hard change to accept. As a result religion, and in particular Christianity continues to be counter-cultural. Unfortunately, in many ways our culture has and continues to adapt to embrace change and empower equality, while the church continues to run counter-balance to culture. As a result I wonder what the politics, or policies of religions are? When they are aligned with the culture to which they belong there is no significance or need for justice. Is this why it is easier to pull together towards a front, any front, than to accept perhaps the goal of religion in some ways may have been achieved? I am not sure that religion or religious followers have thought about things so consciously… but it does make me wonder…

The Book of Mary by Gail Sidonie Sobat is a book that I recently read. While the Book of Mary is a light hearted work of fiction, in many ways it may be nearer the truth of the story of Mary of Nazareth. Regardless of whether you take it as truth, or as irreverant fiction ( as the author describes it), it is a thought provoking read. It asks the reader what is important in the story of Mary? The story so often overlooked by Protestants who focus only on a son (the one and only we are unsure). While I am not sure how much of the Book of Mary I genuinely believe, I am struck by how much of it does not make much of a difference. Changing parts of the story does not change my faith, mainly because I do not take the bible literally. For some this book would be considered blasphemy and should be censored, but then I wonder what would that say about our faith? That faith can only exist within a certain area of parameters? That the facts of the story are more important than the moral of the story itself? I certainly hope not.

In any case I strongly recommend picking up this book, and letting it question you. Or, at the very least, enjoy a work of fiction that is set in biblical times.

Valentine’s Day. The day of St. Valentine. Cupid. Galentine’s Day (for those who do not have a significant other and are of the female part of society). While many feasts days of the saints have become increasingly neglected and forgotten Valentine’s Day continues on. Saint Valentine or Valentinus of Rome who is believed to have been martyred for performing marriages to soldiers who were forbidden to marry. This day, in my humble opinion, should be day that celebrates love. Love between men and women, men and men, women and women, in families, in friendship, in well being to perfect strangers. Today we often celebrate the romantic love, but neglect all the other forms of love that exist. Several months ago over Christmas I watched, as I rematch every year “Love Actually” which is a British film about love and all the forms that it can take in life. Although I continue to watch it at Christmastime, I enjoy taking a few moments to reflect on it at this time of year. When the nights are dark, the temperatures are cold, and it can seem like there is not much to make the world a bright and warm place. “Love is all around us” and that makes things better, so please do not let contemporary traditions take away what there is to celebrate, or to diminish such a holy day as this. Spread the love.

“Love is All Around” by Reg Presley

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me and so the feeling grows
It is written on the wind, it’s everywhere I go
So if you really love me, come on and let it show

You know I love you, I always will
My mind’s made up by the way that I feel
There’s no beginning, there be no end
‘Cause on my love, you can depend

I see your face before me as I lay on my bed
I kind a get to thinkin’ of all the things you said
You gave your promise to me and I gave mine to you
I need someone beside me in everything I do

You know I love you, I always will
My mind’s made up by the way that I feel
There’s no beginning, there be no end
‘Cause on my love, you can depend

It is written on the wind, it’s everywhere I go
So if you really love me, come on and let it show
Come on and let it show, come on and let it show
Come on and let it show, come on and let it show
Come on and let it show