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Posts Categorized: Advent
December 13, 2018
Reverence, not fear … let all the ends of the earth revere him. — Psalm 67:7 His mercy is for those who fear him … — Luke 1:50 The Hebrew word yare’ and the Greek word phobeo are consistently translated as “to fear.” A more nuanced rendering would be “to revere.” As we celebrate… Read more »
December 12, 2018
Holiness surrounds us Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. — Psalm 108:5 … and holy is his name. — Luke 1:49 Mary’s song has so many powerful levels of meaning, but it is ultimately an act of worship, ascribing glory to the Holy One… Read more »
December 11, 2018
God’s mighty presence I will meditate on all your work, and muse on your mighty deeds. — Psalm 77:12 … for the Mighty One has done great things for me … — Luke 1:49 Mary recognizes that her new status as the mother of God is not based on her own righteousness. It is… Read more »
December 10, 2018
The lavish love of God … who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing … — Ephesians 1:3 Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed … — Luke 1:48 In her Song of Praise, Mary recognized — and treasured — her blessedness. Do you also treasure the blessings God… Read more »
December 9, 2018
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. — Luke 1:48–50 Guardian of peace The angel sent a message of joy from God of Heaven… Read more »
December 8, 2018
A lesson in humility … clothe yourselves with humility … —1 Peter 5:5 On a trip to Mexico, I joined a local pastor, his wife and their four children for lunch. Their home was little more than a shanty; no water or electricity, situated along the Colorado River canal, its water highly polluted from… Read more »
December 7, 2018
Light A tour detour by Ken Rummer “What do you want to see while you’re in Geneva?” The host of our Swiss tour for clergy and laity was wondering. I hesitated. After all, my top choice wasn’t one of the usual Reformation tour highlights. “I’d like to see the New Testament manuscripts.” I had read… Read more »
December 7, 2018
Humble origins, glorious destinies Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up … — James 1:9 … for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. — Luke 1:48 Consider the humble life of Jesus. Laid as a newborn in a feeding trough, this carpenter received his schooling… Read more »
December 6, 2018
God’s favor for all The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. — Luke 4:18–19 … for he has looked with favor … — Luke 1:48 A powerful Old Testament practice was the Jubilee Year, also called the Year of God’s Favor. Every 50th year,… Read more »
December 5, 2018
Saving ways For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. — Luke 19:10 … my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … — Luke 1:47 There are many ways to think of salvation, but surely we can see how the teachings of Jesus “save” us from life’s snares…. Read more »
