I have several friends who are doing Advent in their Baptist churches for the first time, and they have lots of questions about candles and logistics. I wish there were more questions about Advent itself. For example, the mood of Advent is dark and serious. It’s not the mood of Lent, which is a particularContinue reading “iMonk Classic: The Mood of Advent”
Category Archives: Advent
iMonk Classic: The Unlikely Outrage of the Gospel of Light
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: The Unlikely Outrage of the Gospel of Light”
The Advent Question
The Advent Question Therefore we believe, teach, and confess that the congregation of God of every place and every time has, according to its circumstances, the good right, power, and authority [in matters truly adiaphora] to change, to diminish, and to increase them, without thoughtlessness and offense, in an orderly and becoming way, as atContinue reading “The Advent Question”
Advent I Sermon: Jesus’ “In-between” Coming
Mark 13:24-38 ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory.Continue reading “Advent I Sermon: Jesus’ “In-between” Coming”
What Child is This? (Advent Meditation)
Note from CM: During Advent, I have asked some of our wonderful iMonk writers to share meditations on seasonal themes each Sunday. We begin with Pastor Dan today. I am grateful for each of these friends and gifted people, and know that what they share will help us prepare our lives for celebrating the Incarnation.Continue reading “What Child is This? (Advent Meditation)”
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”
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”
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”
Another Look: The Imagination of Faith
What part does imagination play in faith? Can “truth” be communicated through legend, folk tales, poetry, and music? Many Christmas songs have little to do with describing detailed historical facts. Instead, they evoke images from nature, the Biblical narratives, and the cultures from which they arise to help us not only understand but also feel the meaning and significanceContinue reading “Another Look: The Imagination of Faith”
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