Advent: December 16
Luke 1:46-55 is the Magnificat: the political, religious, and social manifesto that Mary, miraculously pregnant with the Son of God, declares in the home of a temple priest who is married to her cousin.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 15
While serving as a seminary professor in the city of Fresno, I endured the intense, arid heat of central California’s summer months. As someone who was raised on the prairie of North Dakota, when I first arrived in central California I was completely unacquainted with these hot, dry conditions.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 14
A year ago, the last of the Star Wars movies in the three trilogies was released, a span over 40 years. If you are at all familiar with the films, you know that the overall theme is the struggle between good and evil.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 13
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus recited the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue to proclaim his mission on earth: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 12
John the Baptist was a great man who spoke boldly and was unapologetic about whom he served and what he was called to. John had one message and mission: his message was, “repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand,” and his mission was to point and prepare the way for Jesus.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 11
Mark 1:1–8 tells us about the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner, God’s messenger, the Voice telling the people their Messiah was closer than they could have ever imagined. As a matter of fact, He would arrive in their lifetime.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 10
Waiting is hard, unless you are four-year-old Andrew at the doctor’s office. Our firstborn was prone to ear infections, so he was there a lot. At home he was miserable and quiet, with a hot forehead and big, glassy eyes.
Continue ReadingAdvent: December 9
Young children have no concept of time. The child who knows that Christmas is coming goes to bed every night asking if tomorrow is Christmas and wakes up the next morning wondering if Christmas has arrived.
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