Rev. Peter M Preble – Page 79 – Open-Minded, Open-Hearted Minister & Soul Friend

Patriarch Daniel’s Nativity Message

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Fr. Peter

Bucharest, Nativity of the Lord 2014

„Christ is born, glorify Him,
Christ comes from heaven, come to welcome Him,

Christ is on earth, be exalted!”

(from the Katavasia of the Nativity of the Lord)

These words call all of us to the holy saving encounter with Jesus Christ Himself, the One who became human out of His endless love for the human being and for his salvation. Thus, the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is the feast of the merciful love of God for humans since the Son of the eternal God came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human, in order to give forgiveness of sins and everlasting life to sinful and mortal humans. In as much as He came down to us, likewise He opened for us the way to go up to Him.

Through His saving work, designed to unite the mortal human with the eternal God, Jesus Christ heals and purifies the human nature from what is unhealthy and unnatural, namely sin and death, occurred as a result of the separation of human being from God through disobedience, lack of restraint and of repentance (Genesis 2:17 and Romans 6:23).

The mystery of the descend of the Son of God into the world and of His maximum proximity to us, humans, calls us to elevate ourselves and come close to Him, to welcome Him in our life, through faith, prayer, good deeds, offering gifts and signs of the joy of the Nativity of the Lord to the poor people, orphan children and abandoned old people, to the sick and lonely, to the mourning and saddened ones, to the hungry and homeless ones, to those who are forced to take refuge from wars and persecutions (cf. Matthew 25:31-46).

May the holy light of the Feasts of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the New Year and of the Baptism of the Lord bring you peace and good health, joy and help in the activity you unfold!

With high esteem and brotherly embrace in Christ, our Lord,

† DANIEL

Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church

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The Promise of Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Fr. Peter

In order to truly understand the message and promise of Christmas we have to return briefly to the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, cue dream sequence music… We find this passage in the first chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel. We read that when Elizabeth herd the greeting of Mary the baby leaped in her womb, John the Baptist, still in his mother’s womb, heard the greeting of the Theotokos and he leaped for joy! His savior, Christ was on His way!

Mary becomes overwhelmed by this and we have her greatest, and longest, lines in Scripture. My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my savior!

Mary comes to the understanding of what she is doing and who the child she is carrying is going to be. Language becomes useless at her joy in this discovery, that which knew and knows no limits, he condescended to humble Himself and become like one of us in all things except for sin. He has come to show us the way, the truth, and the light!

The Venerable Bede commenting on this passage of Scripture makes it plain what we are supposed to do. “Those who know the Lord, yet refuse to proclaim His greatness and sanctify His name to the limit of their power, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven!” We must, like Mary, humble ourselves to His greatness but at the same time we must proclaim that same greatness not only with our voices but with our lives!

St. Athanasius says that “God became man that man might become god.” He is speaking of the transformative power of the incarnation of God in our lives, the power to transform sinners into saints, the power to transform our lives into something else, something greater than ourselves. “God became man that man might become god.” He has done his part have you done yours!

Last Sunday we heard the Gospel passage of the announcement of the birth of Christ. You shall call His name Emmanuel, not Emmanuish, man with us, but Emmanuel, God with us! I am not sure we truly grasp the awesomeness of what we are talking about here and I am not really sure our feeble human minds can truly grasp this. God, the creator of all things, humbled himself to take on our low estate that He might show us the way.

I know it might sound odd to link Easter with Nativity but that is exactly what we have to do. Fr. Alexander Schmemann of Blessed memory used to refer to the period that we are about to enter into as the Winter Pascha because there is definitely a connection between the two.

On Holy Thursday night I carry the cross from the sanctuary out and into the people, it placed in the center of the Church and the figure of Christ is affixed on the Cross. After this we sing the 15^th stanza of the Matins of Holy and Great Friday that begins with Today He who hung the earth upon the water is hung upon the tree.

On the eve of the Nativity we sing a similar hymn, let’s look at them in comparison:

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung upon the tree.
Today He who hold the whole of creation in His hand is born of a Virgin.
The King of Angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He whose essence none can touch is bound in swaddling-clothes as a mortal man.
He who wraps the heavens in a cloud is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
God who in the beginning fashioned the heavens lies in a manger.
He who freed Adam in the Jordan in slapped in the face.
He who rained manna on His people in the wilderness is fed from His mother’s breast.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the cross with nails
The Bridegroom of the church summons the wise men
The Son of the Virgin is pierced with a spear.
The Son of the Virgin accepts their gifts.
We Worship Thy Passion, O Christ!
We Worship Thy Nativity, O Christ!
Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection!
Show us also Thy glorious Theophany!

Tonight Jesus was born and lies in the stable during the reign of Caesar Augustus that He might lay in His tomb under Pontius Pilate. He was sought after and hounded by Herod that He might be caught by the High Priest Caiaphas. He was buried in His baptism by John in the Jordan that He might descend into death through the Cross. He was worshiped by the three wise men of the east that the entirety of creation might adore Him at His triumph over death.

The Pascha of His Resurrection was begun by the Pascha of His Incarnation. The Pascha of His Glorification was foretold by the Pascha of His Baptism.

This is the spirit of Christmas, and this is promise of Christmas that Christ was born that He might show us the way!

God became man that man might become God. He has done His part, are you doing yours?

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Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Fr. Peter

Dear Readers,

Thank you all for coming to this site this past year. 2014 was a good year here and I am looking forward to 2015.

Blessings to all of you!

Fr. Peter

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Coping with Grief at the Holidays

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Fr. Peter

Emily A. Pattee MSW, LCSW
Hospice Social Worker/Bereavement Coordinator
Holy Trinity Hospice

For many of us the holidays are a time of celebration, joy, and fun. However those who have experienced loss can have feelings of sadness, anger, loneliness, and emptiness. Loss can be the death of a loved one but it can come in other forms such as loss of physical ability, absence of a loved one, or loss of traditions that once defined a holiday celebration. Grief can be explained as the emotional result of the pain one experiences because of loss.

The holidays can be some of the toughest times after loss. When someone is grieving the holidays can be quite an overwhelming and difficult time. While you may wish that you could ignore the holidays and avoid them all together it is virtually impossible. Where ever you go there are holiday decorations. The television and radio are filled with holiday shows and music. One must voyage through the holidays as part of the grief journey.

It is important to know that there is no right or wrong way to approach the holidays when you are grieving. The ways we handle the holidays are as individual as we are, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. It isn’t unusual for well intentioned people to imply pressure on how the holidays “should” be handled; advice may be well intentioned only the individual can know what feels right.

While there is nothing that will take away grief, there are things that can be done to help alleviate the weight of grief throughout the holiday season.

Share Your Feelings

Make sure to allow time to express feelings. Overbooking yourself to avoid feelings doesn’t work and can lead to unpredictable emotional outbursts. Sharing your feelings can help set a safe atmosphere for others to share too; others may be feeling similarly but aren’t sure how to bring it up.

Tell People What You Need
If you don’t share what you need family and friends will make assumptions. Assumptions can lead to poor communication and hurt feelings. While it would be nice, we can’t expect others to know what we need since we all grieve in our own unique way.

Make Action Plans
It isn’t easy to know what we will need at the holidays but being caught off guard can make things harder. Try to anticipate your reactions to specific situations you may encounter throughout the holidays. Develop planned responses and actions, and allow yourself to change your plans.

Avoid Being Alone Most of the Time
The pain of loss can be exacerbated by loneliness and isolation. Too much alone time can allow thoughts to become overwhelming. Even if you aren’t feeling in a jovial mood, make an effort to simply stay connected with the people that care about you. However do make plans to have private time to process your thoughts and feelings, and have a good cry.

Take Care of Yourself
This can mean many different things for everyone. Take time to do the things that you enjoy and that fulfill you. Grieving is draining so be aware of your physical needs such a eating right and sleeping, these are simple things but they make a big difference in your well-being.

Balance Traditions and New Rituals
When we experience loss we are changed and so are the holidays. It is important to find a balance between long standing traditions and new rituals. It can be helpful to remember the loss of a loved one at holiday gathering with a candle lighting, a prayer, a song, or something that honors their memory.

Hopefully with some of these tips you can work to develop new ways to experience the holidays. It is natural to feel you may never fully enjoy the holidays again; however in time many are able to find a new meaning and a new form of holiday spirit.

Source

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Christmas During the Civil War

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Fr. Peter

Minolta DSC — Thomas Nast’s “Santa Claus” Picture. Harper’s Weekly 1865

For most of us Christmas is a time for family and friends gathered around a tree exchanging present and having a good time just being together. For the solider on the front he is away from family, well his biological family anyway, and is often away from all of the familiar parts of the holiday celebration.

I also like to remind myself that what we know of Christmas in the 21^st century was not really what Christmas was like in the 19^th century. During the time of the Civil War Christmas was not a federal holiday. It would not become so until 1870 when President Grant chose to make it a federal holiday in an attempt to unite North and South.

But what of Christmas in the field, how did the soldier celebrate Christmas. Some were given furlough to return home, sometimes for recruiting duty, but they were able to join their family around the Christmas table. Others spent time in battle, not major battles but minor skirmishes were always taking place.

Soldiers would write in their diaries about celebrations in camp. There are stories of makeshift Christmas trees being decorated with salt pork and hard tack. Having actually eaten hard tack I can understand the desire to use it as a Christmas ornament. A captain from Massachusetts treated his troops to a great meal with turkey, oysters, pies and apples.

There were also acts of charity. On December 24, 1864 90 Union soldiers from Michigan delivered food and supplies to the poor folks in Georgia. The decorated the mules used to pull their wagons as reindeer tying branches to their heads to resemble antlers.

Harper’s Weekly was a publication that would bring news and information to people around the country. First published in 1857 it featured foreign and domestic news and during the Civil War brought the most comprehensive coverage of the war. Editorial cartoons and drawings were a large part of the weekly publication and were often used, as they are today, as propaganda.

Thomas Nast was one of the featured cartoonists. He brought the original image on Santa Claus, as well as the Republican Party’s elephant. But his images of the Civil War brought home the great sacrifice of the war.

The image above portrays a woman, peering out the window in prayer for her soldier husband who is picture opposite her in the field also in prayer. This first appeared in the January 1863 edition of Harper’s Weekly with the title “Civil War Christmas.

The next image first appeared in the Christmas edition of 1863 and shows, what the cartoonist wants us to think, is the wife and husband from the image a year earlier being reunited during the soldiers furlough. The image is also interesting as it is the first time that Santa was pictured holding a sack with gifts and visiting children.

But for the most part Christmas passed as any other day on duty. Most would dream of the end of the war and being able to go home and be with their families. No doubt some would be thinking of those who were no longer with them and wondering if they might be next. Christmas is just another day for the soldier in the field.

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What Have We Done With Our Freedom

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Fr. Peter

(basilica) Today, 17 December 2014, 12.00 hours, the bells were rung in all the cathedrals, churches and monasteries as sign of gratitude and solemn prayers were said for the first revolutionary heroes who sacrificed themselves 25 years ago at Timisoara for the freedom, faith and dignity of the Romanian people oppressed by the communist regime.

When we pray for our freedom we think of those who sacrificed themselves for the freedom and dignity of the Romanian people

Today, at the end of the Te Deum celebrated in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest on the occasion of the name day of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, His Beatitude spoke about the importance of the sacrifice of the revolutionaries of Timisoara, in 1989.

“Today we remember from a national point of view the young people who sacrificed themselves on 17 December 1989, at Timisoara, where from the revolution for the liberation of the Romanian people from under the communist atheist dictatorship began. This is why we decided that today, at 12.00 hours, the bells should ring in the entire Romanian Patriarchate. During the Divine Liturgy, a special solemn service was celebrated for the heroes of the revolution from Timisoara of 17 December 1989. We pray Good God to put the souls of those who sacrificed themselves for faith, for the freedom and dignity of the Romanian people with the righteous ones. When we pray for our freedom we think of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and dignity of the Romanian people. They are remembered at every Divine Liturgy, heroes, Romanian soldiers and fighters of all times and places, so that those who died for the dignity and freedom of the Romanian people are included in this liturgical formula remembering the heroes who are not only soldiers, but also fighters, namely civilians who fought for the completion of the nation, for the freedom and dignity of the Romanian people”, His Beatitude said.

When freedom leads us to division, neglect, feud, we do not have the holy freedom, but a decayed freedom

His Beatitude has also spoken about the way we use freedom and underlined the fact that if we use freedom for strengthening faith it means that our freedom glorified God.

“We must think now, 25 years after the revolution of December 1989, what we have done with our freedom. We wondered at the time how to get freedom, but now we must wonder how much our freedom brought us close to God and to one another. If we use our freedom for strengthening faith – such as the religion class in the public schools, building churches, increasing the charitable social activity – then it means that our freedom glorified God. When freedom leads us to division, neglect, feud, we do not have the holy freedom, but a decayed freedom. This is why Saint Peter the Apostle says “do not use your freedom as justification of feud, as reason to do evil”. Thus, with these thoughts in mind, of the heroes of the revolution of Timisoara of 17 December 1989, and thinking too that we shall celebrate a solemn service for all the heroes of the revolution of December 1989, let us pray God to put their souls with the righteous ones and strengthen us to keep on cultivating freedom and responsibility, the national unity and dignity for the glory of God and the welfare of the Romanian people”, the Patriarch of Romanian also said.

From 17-23 December 2014, the hierarchs, priests and deacons will celebrate solemn services at all the cemeteries, monuments and road side shrines dedicated to the heroes of December who sacrificed their lives 25 years ago.

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Archbishop Nicolae’s Nativity Message

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Fr. Peter

PASTORAL LETTER ON THE FEAST OF THE LORD’S NATIVITY 2014

† NICOLAE

by the mercies of God

Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas

To our beloved Clergy and faithful Orthodox Christians,
peace and joy from Christ the Lord,
and from us a hierarchical blessing.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Very Reverend Fathers,

Beloved Faithful,

On this glorious feast I too proclaim the wondrous Nativity in Bethlehem of Judea, and I invite you to worship with understanding the One who was revealed as God and man. At a certain time and place God came down to earth. The Magi from the East understood the vision of the star, and desired to receive the revelation and to be partakers in this great event. It is fitting that we too with them should discover its meanings.

The coming of the Messiah had been foretold by the Old Testament prophets. The Prophet Isaiah reveals that the Messiah will be born of the seed of Jesse, the father of King David: “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Is. 11:1). Jeremiah says, “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth” (Jer. 23:5). The precise location of this raising up of the Messiah is told by the Prophet Micah: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:1). This prophecy was known and invoked by the “chief priests and scribes of the people,” called by Herod to inform him about the birth of the “King of the Jews,” in the words of the Magi. A foreigner among the Jewish people, knowing little thus about the prophecies, Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, at the Magi’s question: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” The prophecies existed but they were forgotten and poorly understood. The Jews and their learned men were living in darkness and ignorance. Although members of the chosen people, chosen to give the Savior to the world, they did not comprehend the fulfillment of these prophecies. The wise and comprehending came to make clear the signs of the times and to worship the Messiah, thus fulfilling yet another prophecy: “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him” (Ps. 71:10-11).

Together with St. John Chrysostom we wonder: “How could the Magi know through the star that Christ is the King of the Jews?” For He was not the king of any earthly kingdom…. And He had nothing with Him that looked like a kingdom, no lance or shield, no horses or asses, nor any other such things” (The Sixth Homily on Matthew). Then the great preacher asks what was their motive in coming to worship Him: “After they had entered on so long a journey, and worshipped, and thrown all into confusion, they went away immediately. And what sign at all of royalty did they behold, when they saw a shed, and a manger, and a child in swaddling clothes, and a poor mother? And to whom moreover did they offer their gifts, and for what intent?”

The answer is given to us by this same father, John Chrysostom, who challenges us to understand the way God works. With the wise, with those who comprehend the mysteries of the heavens, God works through a sign. The luminous star was understood by the Magi as a revelation of God to them. But this wondrous movement of the star did not only involve their knowledge, but God Himself. “In my opinion,” continues St. John Chrysostom, “this was not only because of the star, but of God Himself, Who moved their souls, just as He did with King Cyrus when He caused him to free the Jews from bondage.” Thus the revelation of God is accomplished, working through signs that can be understood by the human being, but also revealing Himself to the soul, calling it to the fulfillment of those things that have been understood by the mind.

Very Reverend Fathers, Beloved Faithful,

In the guidance of the star, in the worship of the Magi, in their offering gifts to the Baby Jesus, we see the work of God with His creation. The Messiah came “in the fullness of time,” fulfilling the prophecies. Yet it was not the “scribes of the people” who recognized and received Him joyfully, but foreigners who knew how to interpret the signs of the times. The Messiah was born in a poor manger even though He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The ignorance of those known as “scribes” made possible the discovery of the wisdom of the Magi, who brought Him royal gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their human wisdom brought them to a spiritual wisdom, for God, St. John continues, “desired to call them by the sight of a star, that He might raise up their minds above their own thoughts. For after He had directed and guided them, and brought them to the manger, He no longer spoke to them through a star, but through an angel,” cautioning them to return to their own country by another route. The star was the means of this journey toward spiritual things, toward their personal discovery of God through the angel. And this encounter with God transformed them into apostles. St. John assures us that once they had proclaimed the Messiah before Herod, they arrived back in their own country as heralds of the Savior and teachers of their own fellow countrymen.

For us too, the spiritual journey of the Magi is an invitation to understand with our mind and our heart the realities in which we live. It is fitting that we should use wisdom like the Magi to discern the signs of the times. It is right that we should understand the revelation of God and desire to receive it and be partakers in the presence of God in the world. It is proper that we should offer our gifts to Christ the King, who comes to save us. It is right that we should desire to become His apostles, like the Magi, in this world estranged from God, lacking in love, and incomprehending of the divine message. And our proclamation cannot be any other than that of the angels to the shepherds in Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14). We who receive Christ the Messiah who is born in the wretched manger should proclaim peace and understanding to the world. This proclamation is full of meaning for our world, troubled by war and the persecution of Christians. The Lord’s Nativity will thus be for us an occasion for renewed hope in God’s help and protection.

I extend to you a brotherly embrace in Christ the Lord, with my wish that you enjoy the holy days of Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Theophany in health, peace, and spiritual joys!

Many Years!

Your brother in prayer to God,

desirous of every heavenly good,

† NICOLAE

Chicago, the Feast of the Lord’s Nativity, 2014

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Ancestors

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Fr. Peter

I have been neglecting the blogging exercise that I agreed to participate in during this season of preparation for the feast of the Nativity. I feel like the folks in the Gospel passage from St. Luke this past Sunday. They all had an excuse to not come to the feast, sure I have excuses but none of them are valid! I just need to do it!

So the topic for today, actually it was for yesterday, is ancestors. We have been challenged by Fr. John to write a story about our family, well I am going to cheat and link to several stories I have written in the past about my family.

As many of you know my brothers and I have been involved in family research for many years and I have amassed a wealth of material and I have written about some of it in the past. So I give you links to three of the essays I have written in the past.

Uncles

William Henry Preble

The Preble Massacre

Alexander Walter Johnston, An Ordinary Guy

The Legend of Handkerchief Moody