#AdventWord #WONDER - "I Wonder as I Wander"

Today's #AdventWord is #WONDER
This word, especially in the season of Advent, makes me immediately recall the choral piece I Wonder as I Wander. So, I share the text and two versions here. 
1. Sung by the classy Julie Andrews HERE
2. Choral version sung by the Cambridge Singers under John Rutter's direction - HERE
About I wonder as I Wander 
From John Jacob Niles' visit to Murphy, North Carolina in the early 1930's, and later published in his collection entitled, Songs of the Hill Folk, this song is hauntingly beautiful. A true Appalachian lament.

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die

For poor on'ry people like you and like I;

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall

With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all

But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall

And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing

A star in the sky or a bird on the wing

Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing

He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die

For poor on'ry people like you and like I;

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

‪#‎Episcopal‬ ‪#‎Anglican‬ ‪#‎SSJE‬ ‪#‎EDOLA‬ AdventWord was created by SSJE (The Society of St. John the Evangelist) and is the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar. I'm using it as a daily meditation, prayer, photo post, and a way to connect in spirit to millions during this season of light and hope. You can join me in creating your own. Just take a picture and post it with the day's AdventWord tags! Click HERE for their website and for their daily AdventWords.

#AdventWord #SHINE - Ponderings for December 11, 2015

Today's #AdventWord is #SHINE

"In order for the light to shine so brightly, darkness must also be present"
~Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

It seems that we, as humans and as battling civilizations, we have spent much of our existence in the dark. I feel that even though we continue this, we live in an age of light, awareness, and knowledge. Now, though we struggle with darkness, absence of love, apathy, and the fear of the unknown, we live in the light. Christ gave us that. We are about to celebrate his light entering the world. In a way, it seems to make Advent a season of darkness, again - awaiting the light, especially because we have placed it at the time of year when night falls so rapidly and we are literally living in more darkness (at least until the winter solstice!) 

These words are all over Advent in the liturgy and in my musical selections so can't help but think of these words from Matthew 4:16 
"The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

...and these from Isaiah 9:2-7 
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Venus and Crescent Moon: 12/7/15, Carson

‪#‎Episcopal‬ ‪#‎Anglican‬ ‪#‎SSJE‬ ‪#‎EDOLA‬ AdventWord was created by SSJE (The Society of St. John the Evangelist) and is the Anglican Communion's Global Advent Calendar. I'm using it as a daily meditation, prayer, photo post, and a way to connect in spirit to millions during this season of light and hope. You can join me in creating your own. Just take a picture and post it with the day's AdventWord tags! Click HERE for their website and for their daily AdventWords.

Fascinating Wonders

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! 

Amen.

The Tadpoles of IC 410 
Image Credit & Copyright: Steven Coates
APOD

Episcopal Prayer at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen.

~ from the New Zealand Prayer Book 

~ (The nebula RCW49, shown in infrared light in this image from the Spitzer Space Telescope, is a nursery for newborn stars)

An Episcopal Prayer for Evening

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, 

we may come to know you more truly. 

And now, as we have come to the Sun's hour of rest; 

the lights of evening round us shine; 

We hymn Thee, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

APOD, The Orion Bullets

O Gentle Light

O Gentle Light of the holy glory of the immortal, heavenly, holy, blessed Father, O Jesus Christ: Having come to the setting of the sun, having beheld the evening light, we praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: God. Meet it is for Thee at all times to be hymned with reverent voices, O Son of God, Giver of life. Wherefore, the world doth glorify Thee. (Russian Orthodox trans of the Phos hilaron).

NASA-app image info at this link: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-sees-turquoise-tinted-plumes-in-large-magellanic-cloud/#.VE3FuiLF-So

Dear Hubble Space Telescope, THANK YOU for 25 years of space goodness!

Dear Hubble Space Telescope,
I just wanted to say a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to

Edwin Hubble, to NASA, to all of your teams (design, engineering, science, vision, launch, maintenance etc.) for 25 years of SPACE GOODNESS!
Seriously, our lives have changed for the better because of your eye into the universe!
Love,
@The_SolarSystem and friends

Follow The Hubble Space Telescope on Twitter
@NASA_Hubble
@HUBBLE_space
@HubbleTelescope

25 Articles and Links to check out about Hubble's 25th anniversary! #Hubble25
- The Hubble Site - Hubbly goodness
- The Hubble Space Telescope GALLERY - indescribable awesomeness
- NASA's Mission page for Hubble
- Unforgettable Hubble Space Telescope Photos  ~ via NY Times
- The Hubble Space Telescope, a Terrific Comeback Story  ~ via The Guardian
- Mind-boggling Images from 25 Years of the Hubble Telescope ~ via Mashable
- Some wiki Hubble info
- Hubble Telescope Celebrates 25 Years in Space With Spectacular New Image 
         ~ via Universe Today
- Hubble at 25: Space Telescope's Top Science Discoveries ~ via Discovery News
- NASA unveils 25th anniversary image for the Hubble: Celestial fireworks in a bed of 
         new stars  ~ via The Washington Post
- Still sharp, Hubble Space Telescope turns 25 with a cloudy future ~ via Washington Post
- 25 Years of Cosmic Treasures: Hubble’s 12½ Greatest Hits  ~ via Phil Plait at Slate

- Hubble Space Telescope marking 25th anniversary in orbit   ~ via Boston Herald
- Hubble Investigates Ghosts of Quasars Past  ~ via Sky & Telescope
- Hubble Space Telescope Turns 25 [Video]  ~ via Wall Street Journal
- Hubble Space Telescope Turns 25  ~ via CNN
- NASA's GOOGLE post about Hubble's 25th and ACTIVITIES running through April 26th
- NASA's Kennedy Space Center Celebrates Hubble Space Telescope's 25th Anniversary
        ~ via NASA.gov
- Hubble Space Telescope: Pictures, Facts & History  ~via Space.com
- Edwin Powell Hubble - The man who discovered the cosmos  ~ via HST
- PBS: People and Discoveries, Edwin Hubble  ~ via PBS
- The Hubble Effect's 25th Anniversary --"A Radical Transformation of Our Perception of 
         the Universe"  ~ via The Daily Galaxy
- Behind the Scenes of the Last Mission to Repair the Hubble ~via The Smithsonian
- Fascinating Photos Take You Behind the Scenes of Hubble  ~via WIRED
- 10 Fascinating Facts About the Hubble Space Telescope  ~ via History 

Star Cluster in Nebula NGC 3603
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/wallpaper/pr2007034b/1280x800_wallpaper/

Wonders and Mysteries of the Universe

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen.

The Pleiades Deep and Dusty from NASA_app. Image by David Lane

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord.

“For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord."

"Milky Way Above Durdle Door" by Stephen Banks. Gorgeous! You can buy a print HERE

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

google search for milky way images

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NASA / Hubble image of Messier 5

An Episcopal Evening Prayer

~ From the New Zealand Prayer Book

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen

google search for beautiful universe

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

NASA pic of the day, by Wally Pacholka

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Milky Way Over Rainer by Ryan Sullivan

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

National Geographic image by Jim Richardson

Hail, Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way image

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

NASA APOD google search shadowplaynyc blog

"I am the Light of the world"

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Milky Way image by Derek Rowly, found at:
http://ourstoriesandperspectives.com/2013/01/17/unwrapping-the-milky-way-at-riverbend-park/ 

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

Credit:  NASA, ESA, and E. Perlman (Florida Institute of Technology)