• Email Sign Up
  • Following me around the web…
  • Sermons on Video
  • Single in the Sanctuary
  • Want to know about me?

Michelle L. Torigian

~ God Goes Pop Culture

Michelle L. Torigian

Tag Archives: Christmas

Christmas Eve – Lighting the Christ Candle

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by mictori in Advent prayers, Church Life, Holidays, Liturgy, Pop

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Advent, Advent Candle, advent wreath, Christ Candle, Christmas, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, lighting, progressive Christianity

1F4F261E-DA7E-48EC-8B89-811E3B48F364

A warm glow spreads throughout our world declaring that God is with us. The light which extends from the farthest reaches of our earth to the neighbor next door alerts us that we are not alone throughout these long winter nights.

Tonight we proclaim the hope that inspires us to keep moving forward on our journeys. We recognize the peace that extends from our souls into the world. We celebrate the joy that fills our spirits with excitement. And we herald the love passed between the Christ and us and between our neighbors and us.

As the Christ Candle is kindled, we celebrate the compassion which will overcome hatred and the kindness which will overcome isolation.

May the light seen tonight fill our souls throughout the new year and beyond, enlivening our spirits throughout eternity.

Amen.

Advertisements

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Advent Prayers – A Prayer on Premature Nights

13 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by mictori in Advent prayers, Current Events, Holidays, Life, Pop

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Advent, Advent prayers, Christmas, Hygge, Prayer, Prayers, progressive Christianity, Solstice, Warmth, winter, Winter Solstice

christmas-wallpaper-clouds-cold-314860

God who thrives in the shadows-
The frigid winds drive us back into our winter abodes
Nearly isolating us from our neighbors
And capturing our uplifted spirits until Spring.

As night arrives earlier than yesterday’s appearance,
We ask that this season refuses to keep us from spiritual seclusion
As we fight against our natural tendency to hibernate.

May this season of long nights
Be ones filled with warm memories,
Inviting conversations,
Cozy dwellings,
And rooms of mirth.

When the shadows grow long
And hope escapes,
May our spirits find breath to endure until tomorrow.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Advent Prayers – A Prayer for Focus

05 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by mictori in Advent prayers, Pop, Prayers

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ADD, Advent, Advent prayers, attention deficit, Christmas, faith, focus, progressive Christianity

christmas-2750200_1920

Spirit of Strength who abides with us in the sparkles and shadows-
In the midst of this glitzy season
Filled with every distraction known to people,
Give us the focus to finish what we’ve started.

May Advent draw our attention to the sweetness of the journey-
Not the saccharine superficial sentiments of cultural expectation.

May Advent enliven our spirits and energize our tired minds.

May Advent drive us away from disturbances
And give us the gall to reach into the caverns of injustice
to aid in the delivery of God’s holy righteousness.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Retail Worker’s Prayer

23 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Life, Pop

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Black Friday, Christmas, mall, Prayer, Prayers, retail, retail workers, shopping

6F488BB8-7FCA-47DE-881D-DF25834BED26

Ever-Present One, as the day seems long, and our energy is dwindling, give us the strength to see the hope and joy in this very moment.

Give us patience during these many hours. Help us to reach out in love. Open our eyes to new possibilities in our jobs. Present to us opportunities to spend time with friends and family, And provide us with restful sleep tonight.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Prayer for All of the Buddy the Elves

10 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by mictori in Holidays, Movies, Pop, Pop Culture

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Buddy, Buddy the Elf, Christmas, Christmas Joy, Elf, Elf Movie, Prayer, Prayers

elf

Elf © Warner Home Video.

God of the expanding Christmas season-
Where trees and songs and lights are always in our peripheral view if not directly in front of us-
We recognize all of the people who have a “Buddy the Elf” life. 

They don’t fit in one world or another.  They are outcasts in every context they inhabit-  Some in towns too small and others in cities too large and where neighbors have too little holiday spirit.  They may be in the process of coming acquainted with their new surroundings.

Identity crises have claimed their Buddy-like souls right now.  They begin to question who they are.  Their past makes no sense and their future paths are a mystery.

And even when questions are looming over their heads and hovering from behind, their heart blazes with excitement that is rarely experienced.

They have every reason to be sad or cynical.  Yet optimism is their default setting.

And so we pray our Buddy is loved just as they are.  May our Buddy continue to live with one foot in the real world and another in their glistening utopia.  May our Buddy realize their true gifts of carriers of the Christmas Spirit.

And may their joy infect all of us who may be feeling a bit irritable or discontent in the midst of this season.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Cranky Christmas: The Return of the “Bah Humbugs”

20 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Holidays, Life, Pop

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

2016, 2017, Advent, Advent 2016, Bah Humbug, Blue Christmas, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Cranky, grouch, Hope, irritable, joy, lament, Love, New Year, peace, progressive Christianity, Scrooge

pexels-photo-249209Much like living with a high pitch noise that won’t go away, I feel as if I am experiencing this Advent/Christmas season with a humming irritation swirling inside of me more than I’ve experienced in other years.

Maybe it’s due to the amount of work I wish I could do but haven’t gotten done.  Maybe it’s due to the things I haven’t gotten accomplished – like Christmas cards (for the billionth year in a row) and how many more extracurricular tasks have to complete before December 25.  Maybe it’s due to all of the failures of this past year or what isn’t going right in my life – according to the world’s expectations.  Maybe it’s due to my endometriosis flaring up a bit (not enough to stop me from getting things accomplished but enough to make me slightly grouchier than the norm).  Maybe it’s due to disastrous political and heartbreaking world events of the past few months.

Now, I won’t describe this as melancholy, because I wouldn’t categorize this as sadness or depression.  Sure, there are moments of sorrow due to the shortened days and lack of peace in our world.  But my Blue Christmas is not a traditional lament.  Rather, I’m irritated.  And this lingering frustration will not subside no matter how many episodes of Modern Family and Parks and Recreation I watch, how many times I view Love Actually or how many peanut butter and chocolate candies I eat.

And all I want to say… or scream…is BAH HUMBUG!

My annoyance at the circumstances of 2016 has placed a filter for the joy of the season.  It’s drowned hope.  It’s robbed my soul of peace, and loving one’s neighbor tends to suffer as a result of my irritations.

And while the presence of the Christ is in my midst, there is a veil between my eyes and Christ’s presence.

So I’m praying that when the Christ candle is lit on Saturday evening, it will be the light I need to see hope, peace, joy, and love that’s been a bit absent in recent weeks.  I pray that it will soothe my soul throughout these shallow-filled days.  I pray that I will not allow this light that is coming into our world to diminish and that it continues to remain strong as time gives birth to 2017.

 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Advent Prayer Day 12: A Prayer for the Tired Pastors

08 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by mictori in Church Life, Pop, Religion

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Advent, Christmas, exhausted, pastor, pastors, Prayer, prayer for tired pastors, tired, tired pastors

tiredGod from whom all energy flows,
Our bodies crawl from dawn to dusk
From one visit to another,
From one meeting to the next,
From one worship service to the following one,
From one duty until our list is complete.

(It’s never complete.)

We know our help comes from you.
And our strength and courage are bestowed upon us by you.
Yet, our stamina wavers
And we wonder where you are.

Grant that our tired bodies
And even-more-exhausted souls
Find their refreshment in sleep, in recreation,  and in times of fellowship.

May we learn to prioritize what is needed
And let us find the grace we need when certain tasks remain incomplete.

May our spouses and partners and parents and children understand our frenzy.
May our friends continue to invite us to parties even thou we’ve turned them down four times before.

May our bodies remain strong,
May the flus and infections stay far away,
May additional unforeseen tasks that may pop up wait until January,
And may we see the Christ around us even when our eyes are focused elsewhere.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

A Prayer for Broken Relationships During the Holidays

25 Friday Nov 2016

Posted by mictori in Pop

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

authentic living, authenticity, broken relationships, Christmas, Christmas 2016, Clinton, Clinton supporter, conservative, divided, divisiveness, Election 2016, falling-out, Hillary Supporter, holidays, liberal, Pantsuit Nation, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving 2016, Trump, Trump supporter

wood-light-fashion-peopleGod of all links, all vines, all connections-
In this season of festivities and meals,
As we stand deep in memories and nostalgia,
We come to you with our hearts raw from friction.

Moms and daughters.  Sons and fathers.
Siblings, aunts, uncles
Choose to stay away from one another.
The pain is too great to be in the same room.
Words weigh heavily on our souls
When past sins and current life circumstances are discussed.

They don’t understand us.  We don’t understand them.
And so we stay away.
At tables sit empty seats and cold plates
Because someone has to be right
Or because their voice and votes resemble hate.

We pray that they can accept us for who we are,
For the challenges we have,
For the choices we have made.
May they step into our shoes.  And, when possible, may we embrace them with grace.

We pray that the shadows of the night can melt away as we look to the dawn.

Through the radical acceptance of Christ, may we open tables that have been closed,
Add seats that have been taken away,
And may the food multiply as our meal-sharing grows.

Amen.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Image

It’s Almost That Time… Christmas Eve Worship!

23 Wednesday Dec 2015

Tags

45247, Christmas, Christmas Eve Service, Christmas in Colerain, Colerain Township, Protestant, where to find Christmas Eve in Colerain township, worship

image

If you are anywhere in the Cincinnati area, I invite you to one of our Christmas Eve services at the church in which I pastor.

Many Christmas Blessings to each one of you. Thank you for reading my blog throughout this year. I look forward to connecting with you in 2016!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted by mictori | Filed under Church Life, Holidays, Pop

≈ Leave a comment

Single in the Sanctuary – Holiday Hospitality

28 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by mictori in Holidays, Life, Pop, Single in the Sanctuary

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Christmas, divorce, holidays, loneliness, on own holidays, progressive Christianity, Single, single in the sanctuary, Singlehood, Thanksgiving, widows

Being away from your family during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is horrible.  Being single on top of this is even worse.

I’ve spent many holidays away from my family.  The first Christmas was the toughest.  I was 23 years old, living in Florida by myself and had a number of invitations to join other family units that day.  And while I did spend some of the day with others, I managed to get one of the worst headaches of my life, no doubt from the stress of being alone on Christmas day.

Fortunately over the years, I believe that God has provided me with people whom I celebrated these major holidays.  From hanging with a pastor’s family at Busch Gardens in 2001 to spending Thanksgiving with an ex-boyfriend and his parents in 2005, I’ve had some interesting opportunities, conversations and company while absent from my family.  Days were less lonely because there were others willing to open their homes to me even though I wasn’t part of their family.

As a single person, especially when I lived in Florida, I would often be given the gift of sitting at the table with other families.  This is a gift I hope I am able to pay back as the years progress.  Through friends’ open doors and plentiful tables, I was able to feel less alone when my family lived 1,000 miles away.

I think most of us do a phenomenal job with making sure those who are hungry are fed.  But what would it be like to not only feed those who are hungry but open a table to those who have no one in their lives?

Can you think of friends who may not have families in which to spend the holidays?  How can we invite them to be our family for part of the day?  That’s our responsibility as people of faith and as people with the gift of family.  We are called to open ourselves up to those who may be alone on holidays and special occasions to be an honorary part of our families.  Just like Jesus asked his followers “who is my mother and who are my brothers,” we are to expand our families to include others into our fold.  Many of his followers had to rely on the generosity of others while on their ministry journey.  How can we be like the families who opened their houses to Jesus and the early disciples and make sure they become parts of our families, even for a day or season?

What will you do this Thanksgiving or Christmas to make sure the widow, orphan, single guy or gal, newly divorced person or individual away from their family to make sure they are at your table too?

Me. Christmas 1998 in Florida at the age of 25. Sans family.

Me. Christmas 1998 in Florida at the age of 25. Sans family.

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

CCblogs Network

CCblogs Network

RevGalBlogPals

RevGalBlogPals
Follow Michelle L. Torigian on WordPress.com

Michelle L. Torigian

Michelle L. Torigian

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • September 2011
  • December 2010

Blogroll

  • A Southern Pastor's Life in the North
  • Ancient/Future Faith
  • Associated Luke
  • Coffeehouse Contemplative
  • Emily C. Heath
  • For the Someday Book
  • Go and Tell with Grace
  • Katie Steedly
  • Liturgy Geek
  • musings about liturgical adventures, poetic journeys and such
  • One Whole Step
  • Reflections of Ryberg
  • Scattered Graces

Tags

Advent advent prayer Advent prayers Armenian Genocide child-free Childless Childlessness Christ Christianity Christmas Church Communion Communion Liturgy death divorce domestic violence Easter Election 2016 Endometriosis Epiphany Feminism God Grace Grey's Anatomy grief grief prayers grieving Healing Holy Week Hope Infertility Jesus Justice Lent LGBT Life Liturgy loss of loved one loss of parent Love Made in God's image married Michelle Torigian Mother's Day motherhood mourning Newtown occupy advent pain pastor Prayer Prayers privilege progressive Christianity Progressive Christianty Psalm 139 racism rape Resurrection RevGalBlogPals sexism sexual abuse sexual assault Single Singlehood single in the sanctuary Social Justice Surgery Syrophoenician woman Thanksgiving UCC United Church of Christ Vashti widows wilderness

Categories

  • Advent prayers
  • Church Life
  • Current Events
  • Epiphany Liturgy/Prayers
  • grief
  • Health
  • Holidays
  • Lent Prayers
  • Life
  • Liturgy
  • Movies
  • Music
  • National Day Prayers
  • Poetry
  • Pop
  • Pop Culture
  • Prayers
  • Religion
  • Single in the Sanctuary
  • Social Justice
  • Social Media
  • Sports
  • Television
  • Wordpress Blogger University

RSS Michelle L. Torigian

  • “Illuminate Your Winter” Worship Service
  • Liturgical Prayers for Epiphany 4C
  • That Body of Christ Thing from a Mama Bear in the Pulpit
  • Epiphany 3C Prayers
  • Liturgy for Epiphany 2C
  • Epiphany 1C Worship
  • Communion Liturgy for Epiphany
  • Christmas Eve – Lighting the Christ Candle
  • A Prayer on International Migrants Day
  • Advent Candle Lighting Prayer for Joy
Advertisements
February 2019
S M T W T F S
« Jan    
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728  

Category Cloud

Advent prayers Church Life Current Events Epiphany Liturgy/Prayers grief Health Holidays Lent Prayers Life Liturgy Movies Music National Day Prayers Poetry Pop Pop Culture Prayers Religion Single in the Sanctuary Social Justice Social Media Sports Television Wordpress Blogger University

Recent Posts

  • “Illuminate Your Winter” Worship Service
  • Liturgical Prayers for Epiphany 4C
  • That Body of Christ Thing from a Mama Bear in the Pulpit
  • Epiphany 3C Prayers
  • Liturgy for Epiphany 2C

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
%d bloggers like this: