Dec 25, 2019
We sentimentalize baby Jesus' birth. But what if his coming actually suggested important values, approaches, and attitudes for our own Christian mission? What might we learn from how he entered space and time? (This is a 6 minute quick hitter.)
Dec 18, 2019
There were two angel songs to the Shepherds outside Bethlehem. One announced great joy to all people, the other announced peace to all upon whom God's favor rests. The first, we will see, goes toward inclusivity. The second goes toward exclusivity. How should we make sense of these two songs?
Dec 11, 2019
The Shepherds heard an angel, saw a heavenly angelic host, and they were afraid! Is fear of God healthy? For how long? Moreover, Jesus is a man of wonder. His coming is wondrous! So how can we practice wonder? And why does wonder transcend our intellect? Come, and like human tea-bags let us steep our identities in...
Dec 4, 2019
Advent celebrates Jesus' coming to earth and his incarnation. There are specific themes that spill out of the Bethlehem portion of the story: lowliness, kingship, motherhood, flesh, beauty, prophecy, and just plain old weirdness! Let's go deeper into the Christmas mystery.
Nov 27, 2019
Advent celebrates the varied ways that Christ comes to us: past, present, and future. This week of Advent focuses on anticipation and yearning. To unpack that I address the power of symbolism, what it is like to yearn, a weird dream I just had, and prayer. Also spend a few minutes sharing my reflections and concerns...