Living by the Word

Reflections on the lectionary readings by pastors, preachers and biblical scholars

Photo by Mary Harrsch

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Luke 2:41–52

Dec 18, 2012 by Gracia M. Grindal

I love this story about Jesus and his parents and am astonished by the author’s deep understanding of the human condition. Mary and Joseph were facing the adolescent years with a most unusual child, and yet we have only this one glimpse in scripture of that time in their lives.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Luke 1:39–45, (46–55)

Dec 11, 2012 by Thomas Daniel

Over the years I’ve taken part in some amazing celebrations. As a native Atlantan, I remember the moment in 1990 when we heard the announcement on the radio that the Summer Olympics were coming to our city. People began honking car horns and spontaneously hugging strangers in the streets.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Luke 3:7–18

Dec 04, 2012 by Thomas Daniel

It was a Thursday morning, and I was preoccupied with writing this article and considering the words of John the Baptist from the passage in Luke 3. John seems so out of place in Advent, I thought to myself. He speaks such harsh words of judgment and repentance when what we truly want to hear is Tiny Tim’s “God bless us everyone” to put us in the Christmas spirit.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Luke 3:1–6

Nov 27, 2012 by Emory Gillespie

In the Broadway show Book of Mormon, Elder Cunningham faces a problem. In an effort to gird his loins, he rocks out the hit "Man Up."

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Jeremiah 33:14–16; Luke 21:25–36; 1 Thessalonians: 3:9–13

Nov 20, 2012 by Emory Gillespie

When Advent comes, I worry, agonize and cry. Advent is daunting. Advent is my Everest. That’s why this year I’ve decided to add humor. I’ve taped a greeting card above my computer. On it is a cat offering the card’s recipient a gesture of love—in its paws it holds a heart-shaped hairball. When I’m wrestling with an Advent sermon and losing, this cartoon will explain why.