Texts: “Our deepest fear” by Marianne Williamson * Luke 1:46-56 (Mary’s song) Video of complete service “Christmas comes but once a year,” or so goes an old saying that encourages us to celebrate it with abandon. But when I was a child, I came to the happy realization there was more than one Christmas each … [Read more…]
Texts: from “Lifesigns” by Henri Nouwen * Luke 1:26-45 (the birth of Jesus foretold) Video of complete service When I dream about Christmas, I find it easier to imagine feeling joy next year – Christmas 2021 — than this year; probably because many of us hope and expect that by next fall, the COVID-19 pandemic … [Read more…]
Texts: “Peacemaking and the spiritual life” by John Dear * Luke 1:18-25 (“waiting in silence”) Video of complete service Advent feels more important this year than usual because getting ready for Christmas during the pandemic requires extra thought and care. When the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, some hoped it would … [Read more…]
Texts: poem inspired by Mark 13:24-25 by Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes * Luke 1:5-17 (the birth of John the Baptist foretold) Video of complete service What does Hope look like this Advent? Perhaps you’re like me, and a lot of your hopes this year focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. Many find hope in news about vaccines … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:46-56 (Mary’s song of love and justice) Have you ever noticed that many of the holidays we celebrate in Canada have roots in the church but are now mostly secular? This list would include Valentine’s Day on February 14, St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, and Halloween on October 31. There are still … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:39-56 (Mary’s song) What flows from the silence and prayer of Advent? Judging from the song that Mary sings in today’s reading, we could be forgiven for answering “revolution” instead of “Christmas!” Mary is often portrayed as being meek and obedient. But she doesn’t pull any punches when she sings in joy after … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:26-56 (the miraculous conception of Jesus) “You have deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places.” Every December, we hear these words of Mary as she prepares to give birth to Jesus. Her words connect Christmas not just to birth and light, but also to hopes that justice … [Read more…]
Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, 16-18 (“Pray without ceasing”) Every Advent, the following debate surfaces: is Christmas secular or religious? Today, we are in the middle of Advent, a season that includes the four Sundays before Christmas. And while the retail and entertainment industries try to conflate Advent and Christmas, they are two distinct seasons. Advent … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 13 (“the Little Apocalypse”) One of our highest spiritual goals is to wake up. This is a theme found in today’s apocalyptic reading. Jesus tells his friends to stay awake to the possibility of disaster, judgement, and salvation. Keep watch! Stay alert! Stay awake! says Jesus. OK. But what will help us accomplish … [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…]