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Posts Categorized: Advent
December 6, 2015
by Robert Arrington Today on the second Sunday of Advent, we consider the prophecy spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1:68-79: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,as he spoke… Read more »
December 1, 2015
reprinted from the blog of the Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly I can count on one hand the number of times I have spent Christmas in my own home as an adult. We have shared that day with grandparents and other family. In a pre-Amazon era, we hid presents among the… Read more »
December 25, 2012
by Stephanie Quintana Martinez, young adult volunteer (Tucson, Arizona) 1 John 4:16 As far back as I can remember I have always questioned the motives of why things happen in a certain way. Events in our lives are woven together to form a mysterious path that only God understands. Nativity sparks interest in our hearts… Read more »
December 24, 2012
by Rachel Brunner, food sovereignty organizer, Presbyterian Hunger Program (Louisville, Kentucky) Isaiah 35:1-10 This is the season of hope and celebration! As we prepare for Christmas and are surrounded by friends and family, it is easy to be joyful and refreshed like the parched desert and the blossoming crocus. Jesus Christ is to be born… Read more »
December 23, 2012
by Margryette Boyd, minister of Christian Education (Auburn, Alabama) Luke 1:57-66 This passage is about a cosmic connection in Christ in which Zechariah could not speak until his actions said, “Yes, I trust you Lord.” Elizabeth called Mary blessed because Mary said, “Yes, I trust you Lord.” Neither Elizabeth nor Zechariah fret, fuss, nor worry… Read more »
December 22, 2012
by Nathan Young, owner UnWiredIT (Seattle, Washington) Luke 1:39-48 Responses from both Elizabeth and Mary in this passage are spontaneous outpourings of spiritual emotion. Elizabeth bestows blessing upon Mary, declaring that the child within her is the Lord. Mary responds in passionate verse, expressing her humble and profound gratitude to God. It is no wonder… Read more »
December 21, 2012
by Brennan Pearson, teaching elder, First Presbyterian (Ann Arbor, Michigan) Psalm 130 Waiting is hard. Ask any child anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas morning. Consider asking Mary what her long journey of waiting was like, nestling the world’s Savior in her womb while struggling to conceal her pregnancy from the scrutiny of public eye…. Read more »
December 20, 2012
by Noha Khoury (Whitehall, Pennsylvania) Psalm 126 Have you ever noticed how catchy vacation Bible school songs are? You can be going about your day until suddenly a trigger gets you singing (and performing the choreographed movements)! Psalm 126 triggered for me a song entitled “Great Things.” As music leader for the week, that song… Read more »
December 19, 2012
by John Russell Stanger, organizer of mission and advocacy, Presbyterian Welcome (New York, New York) Isaiah 11:10-16 As we anticipate the coming of Christ, this passage reminds us of God’s promise to renew all things. Yet, the brokenness of the world cuts so deep that we are often overwhelmed. We see it on global, national,… Read more »
December 18, 2012
by Sara Dorrien, First Presbyterian Church (Lake City, Michigan) John 3:16-21 If a single verse can be said to define Christianity for millions, John 3:16 is the one. It is memorized by confirmands, painted across the cheeks of NFL players, printed on bumper stickers, and recognized by believers and nonbelievers alike. It is imbedded in… Read more »
