Ruah Bull - Spiritual Director

 But it's the cave I want to know. Not how He left, rose, became a something again. But what happens in the cave. Not blood, not body, not wine stamped with the memory of blood, but the space between breath and breath where we are nowhere to be found. Someone weeps outside. Someone tugs at the boulder. Someone clings to a torn lock of hair. And inside, in the still, lightless air the turning back into everything.

 It's not about  getting out of the challenges of life, but about pouring oneself into life as an act of redemptive love,

It was a time like this, war and tumult of war, a horror in the air, Hungry yawned the abyss- and yet there came the star and the child most wonderfully there. It was a time like this of fear and lust for power, license and greed and blight- and yet the Prince of Bliss came into the darkest hour in quiet and silent light. And in a time like this how celebrate his birth when all things fall apart? Ah! wonderful it is with no room on the earth the stable is our heart.

 You the one filling this space pressing in so urgently I cannot catch my breath. Waiting is interminable, filled with longing and anguish. You rearrange your presence; I hold pain. The struggle to give you space reveals my smallness. Only yielding to Body/Spirit Breath can carry me now through this portal- my yes to searching for your always new bright eyes in everything I behold.

 Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do  seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness,  yet seeking the light, To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!"

 The green of Jesus  is breaking the ground and the sweet  smell of delicious Jesus is opening the house and the dance of Jesus music has hold of the air and the world is turning in the body of Jesus and the future is possible.

 They tell that a man so loving & just that many take him  for benevolent god was killed because his teaching so loving & just threatened the very foundations of empire & that against all law of life three days later resurrected, not unheard of in myth but wondrous still. His teaching still threatens empires & many who dare follow it are persecuted & killed, & his resurrection is nothing less than revolution.

  Deep peace of the running wave to you Deep peace of the flowing air to you Deep peace of the quiet earth to you Deep peace of the shining stars to you Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you

 Silent Night, Holy Night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child  Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah Christ the Savior is born Christ the Savior is born

 This is no time for a child to be born, With the earth betrayed by war & hate And a comet slashing the sky to warn That time runs out & the sun burns late. That was no time for a child to be born, In a land in the crushing grip of Rome; Honour & truth were trampled by scorn- Yet here did the Saviour make his home, When is the time for love to be born? The inn is full on the planet earth, And by a comet the sky is torn- Yet love still takes the risk of birth.

The green of Jesus is breaking the ground and the sweet smell of delicious Jesus is opening the house and the dance of Jesus music has hold of the air and the world is turning in the body of Jesus and the future is possible.