1st Sunday after Christmas

Readings for Today.

Listen to the Sermon.

I have to confess that my heart sank when I walked into Fred Meyer on December 26.  The Christmas carols that had been background music since at least Thanksgiving were already replaced with easy listening - and they were clearing the Christmas merchandise to make way for Valentines.  

4th Sunday of Advent

Readings for Today.

Listen to the Sermon.

I love the image of Mary traveling dusty, rocky roads to visit Elizabeth.  Was Mary on foot? Riding a donkey? Mary, young and recently pregnant by the Holy Spirit, on her way to her kinswoman Elizabeth.  Elizabeth, married to the priest Zechariah and old enough to be past child-bearing, is 6 months pregnant with John who-will-become-the-Baptist.  Both are unexpected pregnancies.  They have so much to talk about!

3rd Sunday of Advent

Readings for Today.

Listen to the Sermon.

[Sing, from Godspell]

Prepare ye the way of the Lord.  (x2)

Here it is the 16th of December, there is so much still to do to prepare for Christmas!  Just 9 days left to

Finish (or perhaps start) shopping for the perfect gifts

Plan a delicious Christmas feast

Shop, cook and clean for said feast

Attend, or maybe throw, a party or two

Find an appropriately festive outfit to wear to that party

Decorate the house

Bake Christmas Cookies

Prepare for guests or travel

Phew!  I’m exhausted just making the list.  And, when we pause to think about it, all of those things get us ready for celebrating Christmas.  But how many of them prepare our hearts to receive our God, who comes to be among us?

First Sunday of Advent

Readings for this week.

Listen to the Sermon.

Happy Advent!  Today marks the beginning of a new season and a new year in the church calendar.  There’s some comfort in a new year, in starting the calendar over. We know what’s coming in this season and the next, what to expect in the four Sundays of Advent, followed by the 12 Days of Christmas, culminating in the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6.  Of course, there’s a lot to do as we prepare for God’s arrival in the world, but it’s something we anticipate with hope rather than fear.