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Step by Step: Faithfully Seeking Climate Justice

Home for Christmas *by abby mohaupt In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the… Read more »

Genealogy Gems

Unexpected Surprises What genealogies reveal by Rebecca Lister    Do you ever get irritated when reading genealogies in the Bible? All that “so-and-so begat so-and-so…” Most of the time, we just skip over these lists of unpronounceable names to get to the good parts that really matter. Yet, genealogies hold deep meaning for us if we… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Saturday, December 22

  All you need is love … and sent the rich away empty. — Luke 1:53 My brother was a huge Beatles fan as a teenager. Inspired by the Fab Four, he would sign birthday cards with the words “All you need is love.” Sound advice from a child of God whom the world might… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Friday, December 21

  God eases the hungering Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. — James 4:8 He has filled the hungry with good things … — Luke 1:53 Empty calories. I am an expert on that subject and, like others who indulge in too many Christmas cookies, I will greet the new… Read more »

Hopeful Church

Building on a Blessed Community Recognizing the Church’s True Center by Graham Standish Years ago I read a quote by the Quaker mystic, Thomas Kelly, that changed my ministry: “Yet ever within that Society, and ever within the Christian church, has existed the Holy Fellowship, the Blessed Community, an ekklesiola in ekklesia, a little church… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Thursday, December 20

  Who’s lighting the Advent wreath? We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. — Romans 12:5 … and lifted up the lowly. — Luke 1:52 Growing up, it always seemed that the same families were invited to light the church Advent wreath. And they were… Read more »

just-leros: more than nonsense / más que disparates

Inhabit our souls A Revised Common Lectionary resource for December 23 by Magdalena I. García And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the LORD, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’ – Luke 1:46-47 Read the full lectionary passage here Mary faced adversity with a daring song. Come, Holy Spirit, inhabit our souls, and make… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Wednesday, December 19

  Silencing Mary So the last will be first, and the first will be last. — Matthew 20:16 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones … — Luke 1:52 She had cornered the market on playing Mary. There was just no competing with her Mary costume, the best of the best when it… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Tuesday, December 18

  A special angel Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God … — 1 Peter 5:6 … He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. — Luke 1:51 I was intrigued when an angel of color was placed on the tree in the sanctuary. I was especially surprised after hearing… Read more »

Advent Devotional: Third Week of Advent: Monday, December 17

  Leaps of faith Do not fear, for I am with you … — Isaiah 41:10 He has shown strength with his arm … — Luke 1:51 The climb up the tree wasn’t hard; it was the climb down that had me fearful. My brother stood with his arms outstretched, telling me to jump. I… Read more »