Text: Matthew 2:13-23 (the Slaughter of the Innocents) Today’s reading from Matthew is not one that leads easily to “Merry Christmas!” Paula Simons, writing on December 23 in the Edmonton Journal about the dangers faced by children today, began by recounting Matthew’s story of what happened after the First Christmas. In her column, she noted … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 2:21-40 (Jesus is named at the Temple) — this is a short reflection presented on Christmas morning, December 25, 2016 In today’s reading from Luke, an old man named Simeon is prompted by the Spirit to go to the Temple in Jerusalem right after the first Christmas. When he gets there, he meets … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 2:1-20 (the birth of Jesus) Friends, with joy we have returned to Christmas Eve. Three hundred and sixty-six days after we last celebrated the occasion, we have gathered again to drink in the mystery of what is a favourite evening for many of us. Christmas is dear to my heart; and this was … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:57-80 (the birth of John the Baptist) Advent is a journey towards Christmas with its promises of love and abundance. Our souls long for the family gatherings, food, and beautiful winter vistas of an ideal Christmas. But the journey itself has its own joyous rewards. Christmas and Advent are about comfort and joy. … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:26-56 (the miraculous conception of Jesus) Churches like Mill Woods United spend a lot of time disseminating news. We maintain a website and a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We send out a weekly e-newsletter called “What’s the Buzz.” We produce the Morning Messenger news bulletin every week. … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:5-25 (the miraculous conception of John the Baptist) What does the biblical expression “Here I am” signify? Several key figures in the Hebrew Scriptures repeat it. Abraham says “Here I am” in Genesis when YHWH orders him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Jacob says “Here I am” when an angel calls to him … [Read more…]
Text: “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver * context: a sermon given at the 40th anniversary service of Mill Woods United Do you remember what you were doing on the evening of November 14, 1976? Everyone under the age of 45 is excused from answering, of course. Then there are the 13 of us here … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 20:27-40 (resurrection and marriage) I have been thinking a lot about marriage lately; and for good reason! Kim and I will be married on Saturday evening at Southminster-Steinhauer United Church. And we are happy that so many of you can come to the wedding ceremony. Given my preoccupation with the wedding, I am … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 6:17-31 (blessings and woes) On Halloween, many of us wear scary costumes. We dress up as one of the dead — a ghost or vampire — or as a witch, goblin or another monster. These costumes confront our fears of death and so prepare us for the difficult but gracious task of remembering … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 18:9-14 (a parable about prayer) Anne Lamott in her 1999 bestselling book “Travelling Mercies” wrote the following about prayer: “the two best prayers I know are ‘Help me, help me, help me’ and ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’” In the parable from today’s Gospel reading, Jesus refers to both: a prayer of … [Read more…]