Growth and Rebirth

The season following Epiphany and leading up to Lent is known as Ordinary Time on the liturgical calendar. During this season, Christians are encouraged to grow spiritually, mature in their faith, and strive in the building up of the church.

Daily devotionals, studying scripture, and deepening one’s prayer life are examples of spiritual practices. Being intentional about developing these habits can aid in building a strong foundation for a flourishing faith.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

The tools used in this tableau are intended to be symbolic. Scripture has a tradition of using imagery of sowing seeds and laboring in the fields as examples of planting and multiplying one’s faith. This tableau is intended as a visual representation of biblical passages such as Matthew 9:37 or Luke 8:5 – 8.

Matthew 9:37-38: Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Luke 8:5 - 8: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"

Prince of Peace

The appearance of the star to the Magi is a sign that Jesus comes not just for the people of Israel, but for all people everywhere. 

 

Joyful News

The installation in the niches reflect the joyful news: the long-awaited birth of Christ is here! He is a baby in the manger - and the Lord of Lords.

A Star Appears

The scenes in the niches reflect the coming birth of Christ. A star has appeared to lead the shepherds - lead us - to him.

The Scene is Set

Shepherds wait with their flocks at night.















Joseph leads Mary, riding a donkey, to Bethlehem to be registered for the census.

The Journey Continues

This week depicts the Annunciation and the Magnificat.

"You shall bear a son and call him Jesus"

                          "Here am I, the Lord's servant"

The Journey That Is Advent

 For the first week of Advent, beginning December 2, these scenes and meditation appeared in the niches.

If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things;

if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action,

when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi?

Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds?

Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?

For each of us, there is a desert to travel.

A star to discover.

And a being within ourselves to bring to life.