Third Sunday of Advent (B): The True Meaning of Christmas

Santa Claus, sleigh bells, reindeer. Snow falling, icicles forming, Christmas music playing. Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Christmas presents. Shopping, planning, cooking, eating, visiting with friends and family. This is what Christmas is all about...isn't it? Somewhere in the midst of the hustle and bustle of all the festivities, the real meaning of Christmas is lost.

Second Sunday of Advent (B): God’s Redeeming Love

So often the Old Testament is perceived as portraying a wrathful God of vengeance; but in this Old Testament passage, we see the compassionate, loving nature of God. Comfort is spoken to those who suffered through the Babylonian exile. These Israelites saw the destruction of their homeland, Judah; their capital, Jerusalem; their sacred temple on Mt. Zion. They were exiled from their land to live among the enemy for nearly 50 years. The prophets described the exile as punishment for the rebellious, apostate house of Judah. They saw Babylon as the rod of God's anger against His people.

First Sunday of Advent (B): Confession Brings Healing

Have you ever had a conversation with someone only to realize how distant he or she is from God? It is a humbling and saddening experience. I wonder sometimes if that is how God sees us. "We are all like an unclean thing. All our righteousness is like filthy rags; and our iniquities, like the wind have taken us away" (v. 6). Truly, from God's perspective, we are all so far away from Him.

God’s Redeeming Love

Isaiah 40:1-11 So often the Old Testament is perceived as portraying a wrathful God of vengeance. But in this Old Testament passage, we see the compassionate, loving nature of God. Comfort is spoken to those who suffered through the Babylonian exile. These Israelites...

Confession Brings Healing

Isaiah 64:1-9 Have you ever had a conversation with someone only to realize how distant that person was from God. It is a humbling and saddening experience. I wonder sometimes if that is how God sees us. "We are all like an unclean thing. And all our righteousness is like...

The King Is Coming

Romans 13:11-14 "The King is coming, the King is coming," we shout and sing during this season of Advent. "The King is here," we proclaim. "The King died on a cross," we remember. The King calls us to do the same. The cross is a vivid picture of dying to self and living a...