“Joy to the World” – A Christmas Eve Meditation Christmas isn’t always easy for the children in our midst. This year, for the first time, many won’t be traveling to see grandparents. Others will be receiving food baskets and feel their parents’ anxiety about where they will be living next year. Some, with plenty of resources, will feel worried about whether the pandemic will strike their family, and when they can be kids again, playing sports, going to Disneyworld, having... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – December 27, 2020 – The First Sunday of Christmas Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40 The season of Christmas is in mid-swing on this First Sunday of Christmas. It’s been the strangest Christmas ever for some of us. We hunkered down at home, didn’t travel to be with family, had small family dinners, and went to Christmas Eve services on Zoom, singing carols in our siloes rather than with friends. Still we are in... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 20, 2020 Luke 1:26-55 On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our eyes turn to the call of Mary of Nazareth and her calling to us and for us. Mary of Nazareth, ordinary to others, is an extraordinary person with an extraordinary vocation, according to Scot McKnight. Her response to God and her hymn of praise ring out through the ages and serve as an example for our own spiritual... Read more
CCXL. Pray Always (12/4) All the followers of Jesus were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. (Acts 2:14) We need guidance. We need a sense of connection. Following the Ascension, Jesus was no longer physically present to his followers. Without him immediately present as their earthly companion, they needed to know that he was still with them. They needed to experience prayerful connection. Our prayers connect us with God and one another. God is not distant but often we are distant... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – The Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2020 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; Luke 1:46b-55; I Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 On this Third Sunday of Advent Joy is the mood. We proclaim that despite appearances to the contrary, good news is coming! In fact, the voices of coming good news already are changing our lives. In the midst of the trauma of pandemic, we live in hope for a vaccine. But, we need greater... Read more
CCXL. Pray Always (12/4) All the followers of Jesus were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. (Acts 2:14) We need guidance. We need a sense of connection. Following the Ascension, Jesus was no longer physically present to his followers. Without him immediately present as their earthly companion, they needed to know that he was still with them. They needed to experience prayerful connection. Our prayers connect us with God and one another. God is not distant but often we are distant... Read more
Today is the Day of Salvation (12/2) “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Many people look toward a second coming at some future date. They calculate the signs of times, expecting Jesus to return to solve our problems. In looking toward the future, many become so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. Yet, Advent is about the present as well as the future. God comes to us each new day.... Read more
Rainbow Hope (12/1) “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” – Genesis 9:16-17 Advent is the season of divine promises. God puts a rainbow in the clouds to symbolize his eternal commitment... Read more
New Life in Christ Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive in God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11) In the midst of life, we are surrounded by death, and in the midst of death, we are surrounded by life, so says Reformer Martin Luther. There is plenty of death in the world. Advent calls us to life. Advent calls us to begin again with each new day. To free ourselves from the past and open to new possibilities. The horizons... Read more
Advent Hope (11/29) They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4) Advent begins with a dream. The impossible dream of peace on Earth good will to all. The amazing dream of “studying war no more.” Advent reminds us of the fierce urgency of now. We need a new world and we need it now – but sadly we... Read more
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