Tag Archives: advent

Advent 4 A: Being A Righteous Man

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 7:10–16 Psalm                    Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 New Testament     Romans 1:1–7 Gospel                   Matthew 1:18–25 Our Gospel lesson today is about that other parent of Jesus. We … Continue reading

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Advent 3A:  Holy Way—Holy Home

The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Isaiah 35:1–10 Psalm                    Psalm 146:5–10 or Luke 1:46b–55 New Testament     James 5:7–10 Gospel                   Matthew 11:2–11 Churches used to have big signs that said, “Jesus is … Continue reading

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Advent 2 A: Christ is Here! Christ Shall Come Again!

The lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 11:1–10 Psalm                    Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 New Testament     Romans 15:4–13 Gospel                   Matthew 3:1–12 I’m willing to bet that when the prophet Isaiah pronounced this famous … Continue reading

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Advent 2 C: Omicron as Refining Fire

The readings for this Second Sunday of Advent are Old Testament      Malachi 3:1–4 Psalm                    Luke 1:68–79 New Testament     Philippians 1:3–11 Gospel                   Luke 3:1–6 This past week a wave of panic has swept the globe. We know … Continue reading

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Advent 1 C: Heads-up Christianity

The lessons for the First Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Jeremiah 33:14–16 Psalm                    Psalm 25:1–10 New Testament     1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 Gospel                   Luke 21:25–36 Today I had yet another conversation about yet another person quitting their … Continue reading

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Pentecost 25 B: Beyond Dystopia

The readings for this 25th Sunday after Pentecost are: Old Testament      Daniel 12:1–3 Psalm                    Psalm 16 New Testament     Hebrews 10:11–14 (15–18) 19–25 Gospel                   Mark 13:1–8 Christians have a wondrous asset to share with the world. It … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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