Yesterday, I saw a forgotten bumper sticker on the back of a car- Keep Christ in Christmas. It made me think of the manufactured “war on Christmas” that some groups have perpetuated in the last few years. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter if we are saying “Happy Holidays’ or “Merry Christmas” if we ignore the…
5 Things You Can Do for Your Pastor at Christmas
The administrator at church got in the habit of clearing my calendar and marking me out during the second week of January. The first time it happened I asked her about it. She was smart enough to observe that I put so much into and ran so fast during the Advent season, that once the…
Airports and Advent
I’ve spent more time in airports during the last year and a half than I have in the previous ten years combined. For a dedicate people watcher, an airport is a fascinating, if not tiring, place. One common thread I’ve picked up on is that we are busy…busy doing things we feel like we must…
The Music is Always Louder Than the Crying
Advent is my favorite liturgical season. I love the anticipation and expectation that a new hope will soon be born into the world. Lord knows, the world needs something. Long ago, the majority of those living under the rule of the Roman Empire was waiting on a long-awaited Messiah to bring light to their darkness.…
Advent 3- Joy
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort…
Advent 2- Peace
"A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain." Isaiah 40:3-4 What's alive in you? What's alive in…
Advent 1- Hope
Come, house of Jacob let's walk by the Lord's light. Isaiah 2:5 One of my new favorite songs of the season is "A Light" by the Brilliance. The chorus goes like this, "Peace to all this night. A hope and light shine bright." As we enter into this season of Advent that leads us to Christmas, we are seeking…