Posts By: Rebecca Haden

Matthew 24:36, 44 But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the son. … Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. “Are you ready for Christmas?” Wherever you are today—at the mall, at work, or having dinner with… Read more »

Psalm 130:6 My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. During the Christmas season, waiting is a familiar experience. The church observes Advent, a time of anticipation and preparation as we await the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Children eagerly await Christmas… Read more »

Psalm 89:1-4 O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Psalm 89:8 (NIV) At the time for the worship service to begin, the imposing six-foot four pastor clothed in his long, formal, black robe, entered the sanctuary. The congregation quieted.  Suddenly the exuberant voice of… Read more »

Matthew 3:1-3, 11 Don and I recently spent a few days hiking in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. I’ve never visited the wilderness of Judea, but I suspect the Wichitas are a good approximation—rocky, rugged, wild, and beautiful, with a tracery of crooked paths laid down by elk, deer, and bison.  The first afternoon, hiking… Read more »

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (NRSV) Christmas is our annual reminder that God lights the way in the darkness. Mankind has had physical light since creation began:  the sun lights our days, and the stars light our nights. When Christ was born in a manger… Read more »

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (NRSV) It’s the first day of Advent. Wait. Prepare. Make ready. The world around us says it is Christmas. It is not. Not yet. It’s coming, but it is… Read more »

  1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above… Read more »

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied exultation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden and… Read more »

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to… Read more »