Christmas. The Festival of the Incarnation. A celebration of God's enfleshment and embodiment. As I'm reflecting on Christmas and preparing myself to lead my community in the celebration of the birth of Christ, I'm considering the connections between the festival of Christmas and the community of faith. The church, as the body of Christ, is … Continue reading Festival of Incarnation
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 28, 2015 * Text: John 1:1-14 *************** Please pray with me, as we ponder what it means that God’s Word became flesh: Incarnate God, In this time of rejoicing and hope and great joy, Help us to be joyful and to hold joy for others, Especially … Continue reading Holding On To Joy
* a sermon given at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on December 24, 2015 * Text: Luke 1:1-20 *************** Merry Christmas, y’all! Please pray with me, as we ponder this mysterious gift we’ve been given: Holy God, you’ve given us a tremendous gift, you’ve given us yourself. As the Light shatters the darkness, break into our lives once again. Amen. … Continue reading Gift-Giving
I know you’ve sung it and not known what you were singing: Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even… This Christmas carol is actually talking about the day after Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen. Stephen makes his short appearance in … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Friday, December 26: Feast of St. Stephen
A blessed Christmas to you! Today is a day for feasting, for opening and giving gifts, for enjoying simplicity and joy. They mystic Thomas Merton provides a nice meditation for us this morning: Christ is born. He is born to us. And, He is born today. For Christmas is not merely a day like every … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Thursday, December 25: The Nativity of Our Lord
I hope you’re reading this in the early morning on this day. It’s been my practice for years to wake up very early on the 24th, long before the sun, to add extra time to my prayers and meditation. Some thoughts for your own meditation on this most holy of days! Theologian Karl Rahner- It … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Wednesday, December 24: O Emmanuel
the narrow way 