Eighth Day Prayers: Daily Hope for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, takes the focus on Christ’s incarnation deep into the heart, inviting us to a place of deep spiritual reflection in God’s presence as we enter the darkest yet most hopeful time of the year.
Waiting & Wonder: Reclaiming the Beauty of Advent and Christmas
What if we reclaimed the seasons of Advent and Christmas as two distinct but deeply connected times of preparation and celebration?
Today in the Spirit: Christmas 1B
The Churchโs messaging on the Sundays following Christmas Day might best be summed up as promises fulfilled with more to come, or light shining with ever-increasing brightness. The Christmas 1 readings are the same all three years. It is on this Sunday that we receive as a Gospel selection the famous prologue to Johnโs Gospel,…
The Good Grief of Advent: Living in the Longing
For some, happiness is very elusive this time of year. Therefore, it’s appropriate that Advent is here to give voice to our melancholy.
The True Story of Santa Claus
Is Santa real? Yes, he is, and his true story involves a 4th-century bishop, a 19th-century Anglican, liturgical vestments, and an altercation with a heretic. The true story is so fabulous, only the kids would believe it! Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus The name Santa Claus is a contraction of the name Saint Nicholas. Nicholas…
Today in the Spirit: Christmas 2A
1 John 2:6 says: Whoever claims to live in [God] must walk as Jesus did (NIV). The whole point of having church seasons with a set lectionary and common prayers is that year after year, we should โwalk as Jesus didโ through his entire life from pre-existence to his return in glory. So the church…
Today in the Spirit: Christmas Day A
Two days prior to the delivery of a package Amazon sends you an email saying, โYour package will arrive soon;โ then again one day prior, โYour package will arrive tomorrow;โ then, finally, on the day of delivery, โYour package has arrived.โ It is all exciting; the early notifications play an important role in building up…
The “Perfect” Christmas Eve Sermon??
Christmas Eve is rough on preachers; at least for this one. The atmosphere for a truly great sermon is all there: scenery, families, music, lighting, Scripture, attendance, joy, and a holy hope in every heart and on every face. But my Christmas Eve sermons (33 and counting) are never equal to this setting. They always seem weak and…
Nine Lessons and Carols: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Each December, we ask our readers to give to our TRUE NORTH campaign. We invite you to join us as we point to Jesus through the riches of the Anglican tradition. This year, with the generous support of donors, every gift up to $12,000 will be matched. Give $100, and we will receive $200. Would you prayerfully consider…
What NOT to Get Your Rector (Or Their Spouse) for Christmas!
I have been having fun writing about some gift ideas for Rectors and their Spouses. I served as a Rector for over 30 years and spend a lot of time now with Rectors and their families. I know that many laypeople want to get the Rector and their Spouse a gift for Christmas to show…