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Sunday, January 5 and Monday, January 6 As we tip toward the day of Epiphany (January 6), which begins the season of Epiphany (until Ash Wednesday), we continue the exploration of who Christ is.  The word epiphany in our day usually indicates a “eureka” moment, a revealing, an enlightening, often surprising and sudden.  Similarly, the… Continue reading Christmastide 3, Epiphany

Sunday, December 29 through Saturday, January 4 Having spent the last few days immersed in the story of Christ’s birth, we now turn to this question: What are we to make of this child?  Who is Jesus and what is his significance?  In this week, we hear Simeon’s and Anna’s understandings of Jesus’ significance, we… Continue reading Christmastide 2 (What Child is This?)

Wednesday, December 25 through Saturday, December 28 Finally, after weeks of waiting and watching, hoping and preparing, we light the Christ candle to proclaim the Light of the World that the darkness cannot overcome. It is common to feel out of step with the world at this moment. Stores will be switching Christmas displays to… Continue reading Christmastide 1 (The Story)

Monday, December 23 Luke 1:26-38 No Wind at the window (STS 11) https://youtu.be/_AY2lKWCUD8?si=0U9TNpfjKOXarAxr Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” ~Luke 1:38 In the culture surrounding the writing of this text, it was not at all uncommon for gods of other religions… Continue reading An Angel Visits Mary

Sunday, December 22 through Tuesday, December 24 In this week of advent, as we light a candle for Love and for Angels, we turn toward the scenes and characters of these familiar stories.  In the last few days leading up to Christmas, we find ourselves visited by angels and witnessing a meaningful family visit.  As… Continue reading Advent 4 (Love, Angels)

Sunday, December 15 through Saturday, December 21 As we light the third candle, this time the pink candle symbolizing joy, we are also lighting the candle in honor of the shepherds, ordinary working folks leading ordinary lives, yet chosen to get a first glimpse of the Divine come down to earth. Now that we have… Continue reading Advent 3 (Joy, Shepherds)

Sunday, December 8 through Saturday, December 14 As we light the second candle in the advent wreath this Sunday, we light it to symbolize Peace and Bethlehem.  Having heard the already-but-not-yet proclamations of hope and prophecy, what are we to do in this time?  How do we engage, set the scene, claim the peace that… Continue reading Advent 2 (Peace, Bethlehem)

Sunday, December 1 through Saturday, December 7 The advent wreath is a folk tradition, and no one is exactly sure of its origin.  Depending on the variant, the candles we light each Sunday have different meanings, either hope/peace/joy/love or prophets/Bethlehem/angels/shepherds.  I like to play with the order of the themes a little so that I… Continue reading Advent 1 (Hope, Prophecy)

I wrote this year's Church of the Brethren advent devotional. You can find more information here, including the link for where to purchase it, and links for the Spotify and YouTube playlists: https://www.brethren.org/messenger/playlists/playlist-advent-devotional/ I have created extra introductions to each week, meant to be used on Sundays to tie the themes of the weeks together… Continue reading Advent Devotional