Dec 2, 2013 | Advent, Christmas, images of God, Monday Muse
I love this early line from the movie Love Actually! When Lulu Popplewell (as Daisy) proudly announces to Emma Thompson (playing Daisy’s mother Karen) that she has been given the role of 1st Lobster for the Christmas nativity play, I love that she unconsciously...
Nov 25, 2013 | Advent, Christmas, Monday Muse, sermon
Growing up, the rule in my family was simple: no Christmas music before Thanksgiving. As a church pastor, I held onto that same value of honoring each season in its turn: no “Jesus is born” hymns during worship in Advent. Truth be told, however, in my...
Nov 18, 2013 | Advent, books, Christmas, Monday Muse
A bumper sticker with a prominent nativity image proclaims, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” raising its witness to a Good News that isn’t contingent upon wreaths and light displays and holiday sales. Yet even “Jesus is the Reason for the...
Nov 4, 2013 | books, Christmas, Monday Muse
Let’s be honest: I already started my Christmas shopping, right around the time that Halloween costumes and Christmas wreaths were hanging on display only one aisle apart in the craft store. I’m guessing you’ve started too, or at least you have a...
Dec 25, 2012 | Christmas, peace, sermon
“Peace on earth!” sings the angel choir. “Peace on earth, and glory to God!” But there has not been peace, not on earth, not for a long time. Peace is as distant as the stars while war and fear are familiar landscape. We are so accustomed to...
Nov 9, 2012 | Advent, Christmas, poem, psalm
Already I’m eager for turkey and stockings, for pumpkin pie next to apple pie, for mulled cider and secretive shopping, for “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Silent Night.” But first let me remember: no messenger or angel, no holiday...
