What Have You Seen?

Simeon and Anna are the first people whose names are mentioned, besides Jesus parents, who make their way into the story of the baby Messiah. I wonder if this is because of their faithful watching. The shepherds aren't named even though they are the first to be told about the wonderful thing God was doing in the world, but they hadn't dedicated their lives to watching for it either. The wise men aren't named either, maybe because they thought they were looking for a king but had no idea what the king they were looking for was really about. 

Simeon and Anna know what they are looking for, watch for it every day, wait for the spirit to point them in the right direction. They have their fading eyes focused on God's promises to the people, on God's salvation.

This Sunday is the last day of the year. We will gather to take stock of the past year, to look at where God has blessed us, and to refocus ourselves on watching for God at work in, and around, our community.

At the Edge of Christmas

We're standing at the edge of Christmas 2017. This Sunday will be Christmas Eve, one day away from the celebration of the birthday of a King. We'll be one day away from the angels and the shepherds. One day away from the stable and the star and the wise men. One day away from the notes of "Glory to God" wafting in the air. 

The Young People's Illustrated Bible History

We sometimes forget how difficult smuggling God into the world must have been for the primary players in our Christmas drama; the difficulty Mary and Joseph had; the trust and faith it must have taken for Mary to have said to Gabriel, months before, "I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled."

This Sunday, as we anticipate Christmas morning, we're going to spend some time thinking about Mary and her encounter with an angel, and how she is a model for us centuries later.

The Hidden Messiah

The third Sunday of Advent takes us back to the Jordan river, back to the crowd surrounding the odd preacher that has emerged from the desert calling for repentance. this preacher, John the Baptist says that right among them there is someone who is greater than him. this someone is right there in full view, but they don't know him. 

John has come to be a witness, to point out this greater one, the Messiah, to make him clear, make him known.

Join us this Sunday as we wonder about John's message in our context. Is Jesus still hidden in full view? Do we have a role to play in pointing him out? Is anyone even looking for him?

Good News...Without a Manger

Last week we started Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary. The liturgical year begins with Advent,  the beginning of the story, the waiting for the Messiah.

Year B uses the book of Mark as its foundation, which seems like a bit of a problem when it comes to telling the story of Jesus because Mark doesn't tell the Christmas story. He begins his gospel with John the Baptist, the wilderness, and an adult Jesus ready to go out and preach. There are no shepherds and angels, no wise men from the east, no murderous kings, or refugee trips to Egypt. Mark starts with ministry and by the middle of his writing is already talking about the cross.

This week, we'll celebrate the second week of Advent,  the second week of waiting and wonder together just what it is we are waiting for, a manger or a cross?