Madonna Adoring the Infant, Francesco Botticini • • • Jauchzet, frohlocket! auf, preiset die Tage, Rühmet, was heute der Höchste getan! Lasset das Zagen, verbannet die Klage, Stimmet voll Jauchzen und Fröhlichkeit an! Dienet dem Höchsten mit herrlichen Chören, Laßt uns den Namen des Herrschers verehren! Shout for joy, exult, rise up, glorify the day,Continue reading “Merry Christmas from Internet Monk”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
Christmas Eve: Undermining Empire
Well, all right, let’s talk about the baby Jesus. Why was he born in Bethlehem? Luke tells us: because the then global superpower wanted to raise taxes, so told everyone to sign up and pay up. That’s how the Middle East worked then, and, with minor adjustments, that’s how it works today. This was Caesar’sContinue reading “Christmas Eve: Undermining Empire”
Fridays with Michael Spencer: On Christmas Eve Eve
A Classic Michael Spencer Post From Christmas 2008 My favorite piece of liturgy in the world is a sentence in the opening section of the Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols broadcast round the world on the BBC. Why is it so moving? Because it is beautiful and true. Each year, as more andContinue reading “Fridays with Michael Spencer: On Christmas Eve Eve”
Mike the Geologist: On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (8)
Previous posts in the series: On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (1) On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (2) On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (3) On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (4) On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (5) On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (6) On theContinue reading “Mike the Geologist: On the Grand Canyon and the Flood (8)”
Another Look: The Pastoral Nativity
“Luke is interested in the symbolism of the manger, and the lack of room in the lodgings may be no more than a vague surmise in order to explain the mention of a manger. This manger is not a sign of poverty but is probably meant to evoke God’s complaint against Israel in Isaiah 1:3:Continue reading “Another Look: The Pastoral Nativity”
IM Film Review: Manchester by the Sea
IM Film Review: Manchester by the Sea Writer-director [Kenneth] Lonergan, best known for 2000’s Oscar-nominated “You Can Count on Me” and the more recent “Margaret,” has a phenomenal ear for intimate, authentic dialogue, for how people really talk, not how movies think they do. • Kenneth Turan, LA Times • • • I have heard several filmContinue reading “IM Film Review: Manchester by the Sea”
Sermon Advent IV: “God with Us” – A Challenging Blessing
Sermon: Advent IV: “God with Us” – A Challenging Blessing (Matt. 1:18-25) Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteousContinue reading “Sermon Advent IV: “God with Us” – A Challenging Blessing”
Advent Pic and Cantata of the Week IV
ADVENT III Bach Cantata 132, “Prepare the Way! Prepare the Path!” • • • BWV 132 was first performed on December 22, 1715. The nature of this cantata is described in program notes at Emmanuel Music: The brilliant and extroverted aria that opens Bereite die Wege, Bereite die Bahn [Prepare the paths, prepare the road], belies the profoundContinue reading “Advent Pic and Cantata of the Week IV”
Saturday Ramblings: December 17, 2016
RAMBLER OF THE WEEK Today, a week before Christmas Day, we celebrate Saint Nicholas of Myra as our Rambler of the Week. This fourth century saint has been venerated for centuries throughout the world for his giving spirit. His care for children and penchant for secret gift giving has brought him great renown. Somehow, the powerContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: December 17, 2016”
Fridays with Michael Spencer: December 16, 2016
He became the reconciling place where opposites met. He was the meeting place of God and man. Man the aspiring and God the inspiring meet in Him. Heaven and earth came together and are forever reconciled. The material and the spiritual after their long divorce have in Him found their reconciliation. The natural and theContinue reading “Fridays with Michael Spencer: December 16, 2016”
The Internet Monk Archives 