Category Archives: Advent

Homily for Advent I: The Day Before

The Day Before A sermon for the first Sunday in Advent, 2013 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the floodContinue reading “Homily for Advent I: The Day Before”

Advent IV: Blessed Is She Who Believed

ADVENT IVC Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:46b-55 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 Prayer of the Day Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, for you live and reign with the FatherContinue reading “Advent IV: Blessed Is She Who Believed”

Another Look: My Christmas Poet

First posted November 2010.  For years now, a favorite book in my library has been an old worn copy of The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti, published in 1904. A brief note in fountain pen ink inside the cover says that it was given as a Christmas gift in 1908, and a sticker in the backContinue reading “Another Look: My Christmas Poet”

An Advent Sermon by Michael Spencer

Note from CM: Michael Spencer gave this sermon in the third week of Advent, 2006. In the light of yesterday’s post on the collapse of evangelicalism, I thought it timely. Michael explores the arrogance of many of us who wear the name “Christian,” and considers some of the criticisms we’ve received from one who shows a measureContinue reading “An Advent Sermon by Michael Spencer”

iMonk Classic: “Lo, How a Rose…” — Experiencing the Power of Beauty

“Lo, How a Rose” — Experiencing the Power of Beauty Classic iMonk post by Michael Spencer December 2004 It was Christmas of 1968. I was a seventh grader at Estes Junior High School. School was a huge part of my world. My father was beginning down the road to depression. I was an only child,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: “Lo, How a Rose…” — Experiencing the Power of Beauty”

An Advent Tradition I Forgot to Mention

In 2008, Michael Spencer drew attention to a resource guaranteed to provoke wonder in our hearts and minds during Advent. I regret that I am late in pointing you to this Advent Calendar in 2012, but don’t let that stop you. Take a few moments each day to meditate on some of the most remarkableContinue reading “An Advent Tradition I Forgot to Mention”

Advent: The Process of Making a Way

They are working on our street now. Several years ago, we had a major flood in our town and now they are laying large drains under the street to prevent the kind of damage many local home and business owners suffered. In addition, they are using the opportunity to beautify the downtown area and ourContinue reading “Advent: The Process of Making a Way”