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Tag Archives: advent
Advent 4 B: Look Up to God And Down on None
The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday is the Annunciation: Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that, though a virgin, she will bear the Son of the Most High God, the Messiah of the lineage of King David (Luke 1:26-38). The Psalm that … Continue reading
Advent 3 B: Smiling as Resistance
This Sunday’s Readings Old Testament Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 Psalm Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b–55 New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 Gospel John 1:6–8, 19–28 My sainted former colleague, Pastor Paul Fuchs, used to jokingly tell of how … Continue reading
Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues
Tagged advent, Fremont, Gaudete, Isaiah, justice, pandemic, Paul, Paul Fuchs, Thessalonians, Trump
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Advent 2 B: Plague Days as Messy Beginning
It’s starting to look a lot like winter here on the farm. First things first: Out of bed just as dawn is breaking I fortify myself with warm clothes from head to toe, and brave the dark, cold and windy … Continue reading
Posted in Farm Diary, Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings
Tagged advent, beginning, election, expectation, Fauci, good news, Gospel, Mark, pandemic
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Advent 1B Becoming the Answer
Douglas Adams wrote hysterical science fiction, the humor of which sometimes hid gems of insights into the human condition. In his “Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe” series he told the story of how a society built a computer with a … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Church and Social Movements, Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings
Tagged advent, cross, Douglas Adams, Isaiah, judgment, Mark, Son of Man
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Take Virgin Mary Off The Pedestal
There is nothing worse than being put up on a pedestal. And there has perhaps been no one whose usefulness to humanity has been more misused than the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Our Lord. When we hear this Gospel … Continue reading
Winter Pounces
Advent is perfectly placed in the liturgical and meteorological calendar. It provides a natural faith lesson. Jesus says, “Stay awake! Be ready!” This was a winter arrival to test readiness. The sheep were grazing on lush grass right up to … Continue reading
Posted in Farm Diary, Featured, John's Posts, Sheep
Tagged advent, readiness, snow, sparrows, winter
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The Animals Teach Us Advent Expectation
‘Tis the season for expectation. Pregnant waiting. Yearning flavored with confidence. Confidence born of experience. Advent has always been a favorite time for me. Of course, as a child, it all led up to that moment when we drove home … Continue reading
Posted in Border Collies, Church, Faith, Farm Diary, Featured, John's Posts, Prayer, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Spirituality
Tagged advent, Border Collies, expectation, Sheep, Smeagol, waiting, watching
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Advent People during Anxious Times
I returned to the congregation I served as pastor for a dozen years and was refreshed by the community of Christ and a service of Lessons and Carols for Advent. I was thirsty for Advent. I don’t buy into … Continue reading
Joseph’s Fear and Ours
The following is a sermon I prepared for Advent 4–December 22 at First Lutheran Church in Lee, Illinois. Icy roads caused the cancellation of the service, so, I offer this sermon for the members of Lee and for anyone interested. … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Faith, Featured, John's Posts, Reflections on Sunday Readings
Tagged advent, Christmas, fear, fulfillment, Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Matthew, sermon
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Advent to Ecstasy
Some people have a hard time with Advent. They see it as a giant wet blanket on the “holiday season,” much like, some folk think certain strands of Christianity itself cast a wet blanket on the enjoyment of life. … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Featured, John's Posts, Reflections on Sunday Readings
Tagged 2 Peter, advent, Isaiah, Mark, repentance
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