Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with andContinue reading “The hope of the world”
Category Archives: Christmas
Christmas and the gospel
On Christmas Eve we sang “Once in Royal David’s City.” Our music director, Wendell Kimbrough, has an amazing ability, as a psalmist, musician, and composer, to put together a rendition that is beautiful to sing. I couldn’t find anything like it on the internet, so chose the King’s College Choir rendition. It’s very formal, butContinue reading “Christmas and the gospel”
I have almost stumbled into this day
Christmas. The celebration of the birth of our Savior. What I take comfort most in the story of Christmas is the chaos.
Holy isn’t comfort
We come to the place of Christmas. We sing with gentleness, “O Holy Night.” Holy is not comfortable. It is not even predictable. We want a sweet song to sweep away our problems and lavish us in comfort. But what is holy does not avoid pain or difficulty. Holy makes way for the good, butContinue reading “Holy isn’t comfort”
Feast of Holy Innocents
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livesContinue reading “Feast of Holy Innocents”
Christmas prayer
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the True Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
God with us
Some thoughts from last Sunday’s sermon from Taylor Ishii, our church’s youth pastor. “God will stop at nothing to be with us.” Also, a quote (in my paraphrase) he gave from Stan Hauerwas: “What shouldn’t stun us is that Mary is a virgin but that God won’t abandon us.” May we be reminded of theContinue reading “God with us”
Prepare Him Room
O behold, the mystery now unfoldsSee the star shine on the virgin foretoldAngels sing and light up the skyHope rings out in a newborn’s crySwing wide, you ancient gatesFor Christ is born today! Prepare Him roomPrepare Him roomLet the King of glory enter in God with us, the promise has come to beThis, the oneContinue reading “Prepare Him Room”
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty willContinue reading “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent”
The great hope of Christmas
He has come to bring peace on earth. He has come to restore. He has come… because he is God with us.
Apprentice 2 Jesus 