Halfway through packing for their pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Temple and its sacrifice, the covenant and its blood, Joseph is distracted by the keening of the child. He had never noticed before how like grief a baby’s cry could be – wailing for the womb, mourning the waters from which it was drawn out and adopted into the world.
The birth of the child was not without complications. It was the source of so much joy – angels sang out over the hillsides, in that other gospel, because heaven and earth could not contain the wonder of this birth; but it was not without complications.
From the Episcopal Church: [December 17, 2019] The Episcopal Church is offering two, digital Christmas Eve programs on December 24. Available on both the Episcopal
AdventWord combines word and image, hashtag and meditation in a 24-day digital journey through Advent, sharing out an official reflection each day in three languages
From The Episcopal Church: [October 30, 2019] New and updated Advent resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith are now available: Way of Love
Episcopal priests on the reservations in South Dakota hold Christmas services at churches that are miles apart.
If you’re ready or not, Christmas is coming. If you believe or not, Christmas is coming.
…first-century readers would have been so struck by the scandalous-ness of the gospels and by their confrontation with the power claims of the Empire, that the gospels would have been banned books of the highest order. It should not be surprising that so many first-century Christians were killed by the Romans.
… let us be joyful, let us be happy, but let us also slow down a little, do a little more preparation inwardly, and walk rather than run towards Bethlehem.
Each year I look at the Christmas tree and see the memories of Christmas’ past. I remember the songs sung around the tree. I remember the hugs shared. I remember the gifts given.