This week’s music calls our attention to Mary, theotokos, the mother of God. But, it has been a challenging search … where is Mary in our Advent and Christmas music? Surprisingly, she’s mostly absent. Michael Linton did the research and found that in reviewing...
The First Songs of Christmas Story Lectionary 9 December 2018 Second Sunday in the Advent of Our Lord The Lord Blesses Abraham with Children (Genesis 15) I Will Raise Up a Prophet from Among You (Deuteronomy 18:14-22) Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) Psalm 33: We Put...
The Ox and Hee-Haw of the Donkey Lectionary 9 December 2018 Second Sunday of Advent Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 Text to Life It is hard for us to appreciate how our ancestors were confronted on a daily basis by a world filled with hostile...
One of the hardest things for preachers each year is to make the holidays “fresh”. Sometimes this may involve looking for a new metaphor. For this, look to your context and culture. Often, you can find a fresh metaphor that can connect you to the scriptures, and...
1. O Mercy Divine, How couldst Thou incline, My God, to become such an infant as mine? 2. What a wonder of grace, The Ancient of Days Is found in the likeness of Adam’s frail race! 3 He comes from on high, Who...
