Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Preparation for Proclamation
By Adam Bailie In his first inspired letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul says, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I…
Read MoreWhy the Puritans Canceled Christmas
By Nathan Tarr, PhD In 1659, the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony canceled Christmas. The purpose of this brief essay is to explore why they did so and what we—rightly looking forward to enjoying our Christmas traditions—can learn from their decision. We can work toward a helpful understanding of Puritan opposition to Christmas by…
Read MoreAdvent: It begins with hope
Advent begins with hope. Hope is one of those words that Christians use a lot, but we seldom take time to consider the idea. It is, after all, a tricky thing. Hope believes in better things even when everything points to the contrary, and it does so without succumbing to naïve optimism. We might hope…
Read MoreHow Jesus was, is, and always will be the Light
Darkness is an apt metaphor for 2020. Yet in spite of how we might feel at the end of this long year, we are surrounded by lights on trees and houses, in windows and on lawns. Why are we drawn to light? Why do we long for the days to lengthen and for the gray…
Read MoreGod didn’t choose Mary for what she had; He chose her for what she lacked.
This holiday season retailers are hard at work getting our attention. And it’s no wonder. According to the National Retail Federation, a full one-fifth of all retail sales occur in just the last two months of the year. The increased spending explains the increased marketing. Companies are busy telling us why their product is better,…
Read MoreHow Advent Brings an End to Our Exile
Among the Gospels, Mark offers the shortest Advent reflection of all—a mere three verses in his opening: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God. As it stands written in Isaiah, the prophet: “Look, I am sending my messenger before your face who will prepare your way, (Malachi 3:1), a voice crying in…
Read MoreMerry Christmas from Phoenix Seminary!
Photo credit: Don Baltzer Merry Christmas from all of us at Phoenix Seminary! 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be…
Read MoreJohn DelHousaye on Praying the Nunc Dimittis
Luke has given us three prayers for Advent—the Magnificat, the Benedictus, and the Nunc Dimittis. This meditation focuses on the third; I intend to offer context for the focus (kavanah) we bring to the prayer. This section in Luke’s birth narrative of Jesus has four chiastic subunits: A Piety of Parents (2:21–24) B Simeon’s Piety…
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