“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 “Christmas Eve 2012”
Category Archives: Christmastide
As in the Beginning, so the End
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth,Continue reading “As in the Beginning, so the End”
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”
Return to Sister Winter
Tinsel and Lights by Tracey Thorn Merge Records (2012) You loved it as a kid And now you need it more than you ever did It’s because of the dark You see the beauty in the spark That’s why, that’s why The carols make you cry Joy, joy… Sentimentalism, in my view, is the enemyContinue reading “Return to Sister Winter”
Frederick Buechner: “Christmas Itself Is by Grace”
Some writers take my breath away. Whenever I read Frederick Buechner, I can’t stop gasping for air. Buechner is simply one of our best American authors. You can see his biography HERE, at the Buechner Institute’s website. Born in 1926, young Frederick experienced a tragic and profoundly formative event when his father committed suicide. AfterContinue reading “Frederick Buechner: “Christmas Itself Is by Grace””
David Lose on “The Absurdity of Christmas”
David Lose holds The Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, where he also serves as the Director of the Center for Biblical Preaching. David led the creative team that developed Working Preacher, one of my favorite resources on the Internet. There he writes a weekly column on the upcoming lectionary texts. HeContinue reading “David Lose on “The Absurdity of Christmas””
Missing Church
I confess: we missed going to church yesterday on Christmas. Despite my strong opinions that churches should have services on Christmas whether it falls on Sunday or not, and that when it is on a Sunday churches should not cancel services, we didn’t make it yesterday. We had the best intentions and planned to goContinue reading “Missing Church”
Christmas Day
Nativity of Our Lord — Christmas Day December 25, 2011 Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 Prayer of the Day All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has brightened weary hearts with peace. Call us out of darkness, and empower us to proclaim the birth of your Son,Continue reading “Christmas Day”
Nativity
Nativity of Our Lord — Christmas Eve December 24, 2011 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 (11) Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and inContinue reading “Nativity”
Joseph and the Way of Kindness
By Chaplain Mike “What is desired in a man is kindness” (Prov 19:22). If there is one major lesson I’ve learned in my six years of being a hospice chaplain, it is the importance and power of kindness. Basically, it’s my job to show kindness. I visit with patients and their families and offer toContinue reading “Joseph and the Way of Kindness”
The Internet Monk Archives 