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
When I was a child I picked St. John as my favorite apostle. Yes, most kids were picking superheroes. I was picking apostles. St. John was it for me. One of the “Sons of Thunder” as Jesus called him and his brother James, John was always the one who was a little bit ambitious but … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Saturday, December 27: Feast of St. John
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
When thinking about these days leading up to Christmas, Advent as we call it, it’s very easy to see it all in our 21st-century eyes. Red and green. Holly branches and red berries. Currier and Ives. But in those ancient days of the first church, and even into those middle days of the Medieval church, … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Tuesday, December 23: O Ruler
Perhaps one of the oddest-named O Antiphons, unless you know a bit of history, calling the Messiah “O Key of David” will sound strange. In some chapels around the world tonight the priest will chant, O Key of David, O royal power of Israel, Controlling at your will the gate of heaven; Come, break down … Continue reading Advent Devotional: Sunday, December 21: O Key of David
* a sermon preached at Luther Memorial Church of Chicago on September 28, 2014 * Text: Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29 How many of you were camp counselors ever? Summers full of playtime. Maybe some God time, bible study, and prayer in there. Watersports. Arts and crafts. Camp food. Ropes courses. And who remembers the Trust Fall? Placing … Continue reading Trust Issues
--- a collection of thoughts in preparation for my sermon on sunday --- Text: Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29 Saying “trust in God” during times of turmoil is a really nice thought; it looks great on a Hallmark card... The reality is, however, it’s not so easy, is it? I mean, here today, we have God leading God’s … Continue reading Thoughts on Trust
A few weeks ago, I ended my post with a question: Can I hold hope? I'm not sure I have an answer, but I've got a few more thoughts. ------------ I’m not a particularly graceful person. I’m clunky. I’m a little oddly-shaped. I’m slightly awkward. My feet turn inward. I stumble, misstep, drop, falter, and … Continue reading Holding Hope
the narrow way 