The readings for the second Sunday after Christmas are taken from 1 Kings 3:4-15, Ephesians 1:3-14, and Luke 2:40-52. Solomon was a promised son of David; Jesus was THE promised son of David and David’s Lord. And we are children of God because God has chosen to regenerate our souls in the image of Christ. … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday after Christmas
Category: Christmas
Sunday Summary: First Sunday after Christmas
The readings for the first Sunday after Christmas are taken from Isaiah 63:7-14; Galatians 4:4-7; and Matthew 2:13-23. How hard is it to save the human family? Isaiah records God’s great love for His people, how He became their Savior, how He was afflicted in their affliction. But they rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit. In spite … Continue reading Sunday Summary: First Sunday after Christmas
Happy New Year!
Each year in December we begin a new church year so very different than the new year on January 1 for everyone else. The Christian New Year begins with preparation for an event unparalleled in type and magnitude and infinitely significant: the Son of God, the Creator of all things, was conceived by the Holy … Continue reading Happy New Year!
Rest this Christmastide
This year Advent and Christmas impressed upon me the restfulness of biblical faith and Christmas. Have you noticed that often we feel a burden of making Christmas as impressive as we remember it or as impressive as we think it should be? I notice pastors and others struggling to say something new and powerful about … Continue reading Rest this Christmastide
Christ out of Christmas?? No way!
Can you really take Christ out of Christmas? And what about if your Christmas doesn’t go exactly as you wish? Can you still truly rejoice? Last Sunday, I was part of a church service where I addressed these questions in the children’s sermon and homily. You can find a link to view the service here (the children’s … Continue reading Christ out of Christmas?? No way!
The first gift of Christmas?
Why do the readings for the first Sunday in Advent (Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Cor. 1:3-9; Matt. 13:24-37) look just like the readings for the last Sundays of the church year—all that “end of the world” stuff? The end of world didn’t come, again. Is that cause for disappointment? As you think about getting ready for … Continue reading The first gift of Christmas?
The Reason for Advent
The New Testament includes many imperatives (commands) that are next to impossible for us according to our corrupt human nature, yet something our regenerate soul is doing without hearing the command at all. For example, " Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). … Continue reading The Reason for Advent
A worthy new year’s resolution
Have you ever considered that becoming good at certain things we do takes lots of practice, especially practicing a focused mind? Jetfighter pilots, lifeguards, surgeons, fire-fighters (and many others) all practice a kind of focused attention that supports the skill required to succeed in their vocation. What if our daily life in the Word inspired … Continue reading A worthy new year’s resolution
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Looking for gift ideas this season? What if Advent prepared us for the new year, every new day, and life infinite by getting and/or giving The One Year Bible to family, friends, and loved ones this Christmastide? What if we were all reading the same texts of the Bible daily and what if this practice … Continue reading The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Purple or Blue for Advent?
Have you noticed that the color for the season of Advent has changed from purple to blue? Purple—having to do with repentance and preparation to meet royalty—has traditionally been the color for both Advent and Lent. The color blue has been associated with Mary and the joy at her conception, and so is a welcome … Continue reading Purple or Blue for Advent?