I write liturgical songs, both music and words, and a few years ago I did a project centered on the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany cycle. There were many classic themes to explore—hope, waiting, incarnation, joy, gift. There was also one in particular that I soon realized would require some careful consideration: the play of darkness and light.
Should we avoid liturgical language of light and dark
December 4 Advent 2A Matthew 3 1 12
John the Baptist is calling for more than a cognitive recognition of wrongdoing.
November 27 Advent 1A nbsp Romans 13 11 14 Matthew 24 36 44
We can recognize ourselves in the messy people around Jesus.
November 20 Reign of Christ nbsp C Luke 23 33 43
On a recent sunday, the church I attend had an evacuation drill at the end of worship. The congregation left the sanctuary in an orderly fashion and regathered across the street for an outdoor fellowship hour. While people of my generation may have been reminded of school fire drills, our younger friends have a different frame of reference. We need to know what to do if someone shows up armed and determined to kill.
The gender identity of God—and Jesus
Amy Peeler offers a great resource for Christians who have struggled to understand God’s call to women.
Who will love the ugly things
The setting by the lake was beautiful. The people were beautiful, the food was beautiful, and we were in a beautiful restaurant surrounded by beautiful things. I felt completely comfortable. I felt like I was right where I belonged, surrounded by the lovely and the attractive things of life.
November 13 Ordinary 33C Isaiah 65 17 25
The isaiah text for this week lays out something of an urban design plan: homes, food, jobs, fair labor, no infant mortality, and a generous life expectancy. I’d like to live there.
In some ways I do. Life expectancy, literacy, and standards of living are at an all-time high worldwide. Hunger, child mortality, and extreme poverty have declined.
We do not read alone
Brad East offers a rigorous argument for the ecclesial context of scripture.