Sermons (Page 101)
Christmas Eve
Every year, we read the Christmas story. And, by now, it’s so predictable. There are shepherds, angels, and baby Jesus. It’s not surprising that Jesus is born. It’s just, expected. But, this year, I was struck by verse 19, that said “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” At first glance, it appears to be a sentimental statement, like when a parent fondly remembers a child’s early years and the, now, lost simplicity. But, if we look at the Greek language in which this was originally written, what Mary is doing is literally throwing these words around in her head trying to figure out the significance…
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and Christmas day will follow. In the days ahead, some of us will be with our families of origin, which means that Aunt Barb will fall asleep in a chair, your cousin will try to get you into a pyramid scheme, and grandpa will probably say something racist. For others, you might expect Christmas movies and delivered meals as you celebrate. Based on your knowledge and experience, you can roughly predict the days ahead…
Third Sunday of Advent
“What would happen if God interrupted us? If this coming we talk about with some regularity actually happened, without notice as predicted? What in our world would change? What fears would be dispelled? What injustices overturned? Those aren’t my own questions, but those of a theologian, Anne Stewart, who, I believe poses them perfectly. I believe each and every one of us is all too aware of the great injustices that are rampant in this world today. The evils. The real and present fear that we live in today, whatever your political persuasion may be. And without fail, just when the violence, the brokenness of our world seems to be getting beyond our comprehension, something even more incomprehensible happens, even if it’s the frequency with which reports of shootings, hate-filled diatribes, you-name-it occur.”