Sound Theology by Colleen Butcher

Arise! Shine! For your Light has come! Isaiah 60:1

Light is a mystery. From a scientific perspective, it is both particle and wave, both seen and unseen, and contains multiple components on the electromagnetic spectrum. We believe that light helps to make things apparent, that it reveals what is hidden or dark. But light itself is also hidden to the human eye. read more…

It’s that time of year, again. Resolutions, Times Square, fireworks, champagne, and kisses at midnight, followed by College football. Or, maybe you prefer Chamomile tea and early to bed, with the Rose Bowl parade set on the DVR. Either way, our New Year’s Eve/Day routines can become engrained over time. One routine that I hope you’ll embrace is to start the year with a blessing.

This week’s playlist is a remarkable collection of blessings: listen closely and choose one that particularly resonates with you. Then, add it to you morning or evening routine. Let the words sink into your soul. Be reminded of God’s promises. Let the Holy Spirit stir up hope. Breathe. read more…

Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And God send us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere, that Jesus Christ is born!

And so, we come to the day of celebration. Our waiting is over. The longing that we have endured through Advent ends with the joyful announcement. “..Good news of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This spiritual echoes the advent 4 spiritual: rise up/follow has become go/tell! Take the energy of these days of wonder and joy and share good news moment by moment. This blessed Christmas morning we have the best news and it needs to be shared. read more…

This week’s spiritual is well-known and full of hope. This song turns the question “Is there no balm in Gilead?” found in Jeremiah, into an assertion of confidence. There is a balm. It flows in Gilead. The balm brings healing, revival, knowledge, and love. read more…

A traditional refrain during advent comes from the “O Antiphons:” O come, O come Emmanuel… . The names of Jesus in this ancient hymn remind us of the protection and salvation of God as it unfolds in history. The gospel song “Listen to the Lambs” echoes this longing for the presence of the shepherd.

The lambs are cryin’. Listen, Lord, the lambs are cryin’. read more…