Posts Categorized: Advent

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 »

  “…for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” During a children’s sermon, an Elder was asked by a five-year-old sitting on the chancel steps, “Miss Susie, where is Jesus right now … today?” Elder Susie answered, “Jesus is in our hearts. He is in my heart, your heart, and in the… Read more »

   46 And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 48 for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is… Read more »