Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Our world is crying out for comfort. So often when we seek comfort, we are not seeking the comfort Isaiah proclaims. We seek happiness, contentment, disruption of the unpleasant sensations and emotions that come with being human. We find distraction, fleeting pleasures to fill theContinue reading “Comfort That Lasts”
Category Archives: advent
Honest Hope
Isaiah 64:1-9 In our first gathering for our Advent study this past Thursday (it’s not too late to join us!), I invited everyone to introduce themselves and share one thing about this time of year that they love, or that is special to them. People shared stories of childhood, of sacred time with their ownContinue reading “Honest Hope”
Standing Guardian
Matthew 1:18-25 When we picture the family of Jesus, we probably all see some variation of the same image. Jesus is at the center of the Holy Family, held in the arms of Mary who looks down upon him with quiet reverence and perhaps a small smile. Standing or kneeling above them, perhaps leaning againstContinue reading “Standing Guardian”
Doubt & A Thrill of Hope
Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb in recognition of the miracle Mary carried. John the Baptist left behind his comfortable birthright for a short life of locusts and wild honey and persecution. John the Baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness even when his voice grew hoarse and theContinue reading “Doubt & A Thrill of Hope”
It Starts With Repentance
Matthew 3:1-12 We meet John the Baptizer in the season when we are awaiting the birth of the infant, and that can make our timelines a bit fuzzy. John is both the harbinger of the Messiah and his contemporary. The adult John is not already preaching while the unborn Jesus still grows in his mother’sContinue reading “It Starts With Repentance”
Anticipatory Joy
Matthew 24:36-44 Do you remember what it felt like to go to bed knowing that tomorrow would bring something magical? Perhaps for you it was a Christmas Eve of your childhood, or a special birthday, or the eve of your wedding or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. That jittery, sparkling, jumping-out-of-your-skin anticipation of what is to come.Continue reading “Anticipatory Joy”
What Mary Knew
Luke 1:39-45(46-55) I am indebted this week to many creatives and theologians, including Debie Thomas of Journey with Jesus and Jennifer Henry, public theologian and justice advocate in the United Church of Canada. I encourage you to learn more about them and their work by following the links embedded in this sermon. Today, this lastContinue reading “What Mary Knew”
Not Fear, but Fearsome Hope.
Luke 3:7-18 This week we finally hear that voice in the wilderness, and his first line is to call all who have come to him, and by extension us, a brood of vipers. It’s definitely not the way we expect to see evangelism happen, but something about his insult-filled preaching and his apocalyptic warnings definitelyContinue reading “Not Fear, but Fearsome Hope.”
Cry out.
Luke 3:1-6 We have a good long list of names today. These are names of real people and real places, some of them very well- known and remembered as significant by history. Tiberius, Pontius, Philip, Lysanias, Annas, Caiaphas. Despite the familiarity of certain names and titles in this list, we are not meant to lingerContinue reading “Cry out.”
Wait
Luke 21:25-36 Happy New Year, friends! Stores have been stocking red and green décor since October and it’s nearly impossible to turn on a television without flipping past sentimental Christmas programs, and plenty of ambitious folks already have trees lit and decorated in their homes. Our culture may have rushed ahead to Christmas, but weContinue reading “Wait”
Mother A Writes 