Apprentice 2 Jesus

Advent

  • The place of joy

    It hit me with the force of joy. Happiness is what we experience as we celebrate the achievements of the self — winning a prize. Joy is what we feel when we are encompassed by a presence that transcends the self. We create happiness, but are seized by joy — in my case by the… Read more

  • The way of revolution

    The Second Sunday of Advent was about John the Baptist (as will be the Third Sunday) and I had jotted some notes down about the way of repentance. The way of John the Baptist comes at a critical time in the life of Israel. Rome has been in power and now they’ve encroached on the… Read more

  • Jesus is coming back… are we SURE we want that?

    Advent is about hope. True. It is about holding on in the darkness. True. There is the focus on Jesus coming again, and that has a lot of sentimentality for us in the West. We feel relieved because of all our perceived slights over the years. (The government is coming to get us, silence us,… Read more

  • Life in the dark — Advent

    Advent is to remind us we don’t “live Easter” or “live Resurrection” all the time. We live in resurrection power, yes. But we have darkness to deal with in our lives. Being in the northern hemisphere in Advent is perfect. We need to reflect on the darkness. Read more

  • Christ IS coming again

    It is Advent. Over the last few years when I have learned more about Advent, and then joined the Anglican Church, I have a deep love for this season of the Church Year. It takes some practice to get used to Advent. Once you do, though, you will never want it any other way. —… Read more

  • Advent Approaches

    This is what I love about the liturgical calendar: It won’t match up to the American civil religion calendar. The first Sunday of Advent is the new year in the Church. Read more

  • Jesus among the rubble

    A nativity scene in Bethlehem this year placed the baby Jesus among a pile of rubble. Bethlehem is silent this year. The Church of the Nativity is nearly empty. And in our darkness, he still comes. In the brokenness of our world, he comes. In the destruction we choose, he still comes to bring hope.… Read more

  • Lament and mourning in the time of darkness

    Two stories this morning cause my heart to grieve. Read more

  • O Come, Emmanuel!

    6 For a child has been born for us,    a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders,    and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Great will be his authority,    and there shall be endless peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom.    He will establish and uphold itwith justice and with righteousness    from this time onward and… Read more

  • Third Sunday of Advent

    We long for Christ in this season. We remember the longing at his first coming. May it stir us to long for his second coming. In the meantime, we are called to prepare the way. Read more