JANUARY 2024

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

Oh My Soul! Here at “The Mill” the arrival of the Christ Child has been observed with special prayer, singing with dueling grand pianos, good eats and of course a plethora of decorations. The 10-foot evergreen tree cut down at the edge of the pasture with its 700 lights and 200 glass bulbs are a testimony to good solid Maine balsam and Petah’s escapades on his trusty stepladder. It will display its glory until the Epiphany!

“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” by Robert Fisher Boyce is a perfect song of the upcoming Epiphany Celebration. Quite frankly, it has been relentless in my inner hearing the past week and awakened me this morning. Obviously, a message to listen up and pay attention to. Please enjoy the simple traditional story and figurative based retelling of the Epiphany. No need to pick the theology of the text apart -- simply enjoy. Here is a YouTube rendition by The Judds. 

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never overpower it. What are the parts of your life that need to be infused with light? What supersonic troubles have you hidden away into the depths of your soul? The light of Christ is available to illuminate every fiber of your being as you invite it into your everyday life. This includes the back part of your closet, the underwear drawer and the recesses of hurt lingering in the sacred hidden places of your high heart. Make room in your everyday life for the light of Christ to lead and guide you.

We have been given the gift of a New Year. Let us receive it with great joy and carefully lay down the past while we hope for the future with the Bright and Morning Star.  


As Always,
Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Chaplain Petah
Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

P.S. ***Happy Epiphany***