St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Epiphany

The celebration of Epiphany is the culmination of what is traditionally called the Twelve Days of Christmas. The word literally means “revelation” or “sudden unveiling” or “manifestation.” It commemorates the day when wise men from the East were conducted by a miraculous star to the nativity in Bethlehem. The magi were thus the first to comprehend that Jesus was not merely the prophetic fulfillment of Jewish aspirations since the beginning of time. Instead, He was the hope of the world, the light of the world, and the joy of every man’s desiring. They beheld the very glory of God that day—for in the city of David, the Savior was born.

As a result, Epiphany is the celebration of the ultimate proclamation of good news. Good news, indeed.

-George Grant

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

What a lovely Easter! We had a great service that morning with our church and a brunch potluck following that. Then we went next door and had a wonderful afternoon with family. The food was plentiful and amazingly delicious, the kids searched and found about a bazillion eggs,  and it didn't rain. :) Yes indeed, a fine way to celebrate our Lord's victory over the grave!

Our Greatest Day

"We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children's games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts, anything that comes to mind.  This is our greatest festival.  Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else.  Take Easter away, and you don't have a New Testament; you don't have a Christianity; as Paul says, you are still in your sins.  We shouldn't allow the secular world, with its schedules and habits and parareligious events, its cute Easter bunnies, to blow us off course.  This is our greatest day.  We should put the flags out."

-- N.T. Wright,  Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, pg. 256

Why haven't I thought of this before?

I loved this idea. It's so colorful, festive, and only slightly grotesque.

                                  Poor peeps. Oh well.

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Spring. Things are blooming, rivers are flowing, babies are being born, and the most important celebration for the Church is being planned for. It's Easter week. Our family has over the last few years started traditions for various celebrations with both food and liturgy, and a silly little one I started are "resurrection rolls" for Easter. They are hollow in the center, to symbolize Christ's empty tomb. They're fun and easy to make, and kids love them. Here's the recipe:

Resurrection Rolls

  

Frozen Bread Dough Rolls or your favorite dinner roll recipe

Large Marshmallows

Melted Butter

Sugar & Cinnamon Mixed together

1. Prepare rolls to thaw according to package instructions. After they are fully thawed but before they rise, flatten the roll to about a 3 inch diameter.
2. Place a marshmallow in the center of the dough and fold dough around it to cover the marshmallow.  Pinch edges of dough together to completely seal your marshmallow in its dough "tomb".  .  
3. Roll dough covered marshmallow in the palm of your hand to smooth it out.
4. Brush on or roll dough in melted butter.
5. Sprinkle on or roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.
6. Place dough balls on greased cookie sheet.  Spray plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray and cover the rolls.
7. Let the rolls rise until they are double in size.  This takes about 30-60 minutes. 
8. Remove the plastic wrap and bake your rolls at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.  Remove the rolls from the pan and cool on wire rack!
9. Tear them open to see your "empty tomb". 

Happy Easter planning everyone!