The story of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke begins with the invocation of the emperor, his wishes, and everyone following his command. He desired a census and everyone jumped to fulfill the task. There is no hint of distaste here. No little jab at the Caesar, his authority, or even his claim to be divine. He commands and people listen. Even pregnant women. Even a certain unwed pregnant mother. Honestly, it’s a brilliant […]
(These prayers are based largely on the lessons from Isaiah through the Advent-A lections. The main prayers will stay the same, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week.) In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, remind us that you are always with us, that like Joseph we might always be eager to fulfill your will, and be eager to pray: O God, in days to come the mountain of […]
“Have you accepted Emmanuel as your Lord and Savior?” “I’ve given my heart to Emmanuel.” “I pray in Emmanuel’s name.” When’s the last time you heard one of these statements? Yeah, me neither. If you told someone that you oriented your life to follow the teachings of Emmanuel, and worshipped Emmanuel every weekend – wouldn’t most people assume that you were part of some weird, fringe religion? Who? And yet, “Emmanuel” is indeed a secondary […]
(These prayers are based largely on the lessons from Isaiah through the Advent-A lections. The main prayers will stay the same, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week.) In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, remind us that in you we never need to be afraid, that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray: O God, in days to come the mountain of your house […]
In Matthew 11 the disciples of John the Baptist confront Jesus wanting to know if he was “the one.” Was Jesus ‘it,’ or should they keep waiting for someone else? It’s an interesting encounter to say the least. The disciples of Jesus had barely figured out who Jesus really was, and here’s another man’s disciples who seem to have put two and two together. But, the deeper point here is that they were ‘waiting’ to […]
(These prayers are based largely on the lessons from Isaiah through the Advent-A lections. The main prayers will stay the same, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week.) In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, shine upon us Your glorious Light, that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray: O God, in days to come the mountain of your house will be established, and your […]
In a previous life (or so it seems) I worked at a wilderness residential treatment center for troubled boys for two years. It was ‘wilderness’ in the sense that we were outside in tents made of mostly raw materials 365 days a year. It was ‘residential’ in the sense that we lived there. Most weeks I’d work a 110 hour shift before I then had 48 hours off. Then I’d go back and do it […]
(These prayers are based largely on the lessons from Isaiah through the Advent-A lections. The main prayers will stay the same, but the initiating and concluding prayers will change, week by week.) In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord, kindle in us the desire to remain awake; that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray. O God, in days to come the mountain of your house will be established, […]
The beginning of the second chapter of Isaiah is the vision of God’s abiding shalom come to earth, as a gift for all people. It’s the peace of God which not only passes all understanding, but which removes even the instruments of potential conflict from the face of the earth. Weapons of war are beaten into tools of trade. And the ways of warcraft are no longer taught. God’s peace will one day reign, says […]
Based on Canticle 4, the Song of Zechariah Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed us. Bless the nations, tribes and kingdoms of the world, O Lord, with your tender mercy, and with the light you give to those who sit in darkness. Hear our Prayer, O Christ, for you are the King of Kings. Bless our nation, O Lord, that we being delivered out of the hand […]