Merry Christmas!

Advent in Word: Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,


    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Advent in Word: Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent for Today: Walking with Jesus: Living into the Age to Come

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

This has been encouragement for the people of God for centuries as so many faithful have lived, reflecting the cross of Christ and greatly anticipating and waiting for the coming of Christ. The mantle is now ours to take up.

In waiting, it is easy to become tired or weary. This begins early in life as children wait for the coming of December 25^th. As each day passes, the anticipation grows but so does anxiety. They know the day is coming but quickly grow tired of waiting! This ability to grow tired quickly does not fade with age. The more we experience, the more tired we become. The more we face sufferings or just the worries of day-to-day life, the more anxious and weary we grow.

Yet, we receive the commission and we hear, “I am with you always,” and we are spurred onward. Something in us is moved and changes. And like the faithful ones who have gone before us, we know we must continue on, not sitting on our hands in tiresome waiting but taking up our cross in faithful anticipation.

For we have witnessed the cross of Christ. We have seen the glory of his resurrection. And we know it to be true, that he is with us always, to the end of the age.

So as we have reflected upon the first coming of Christ, the child, and are reminded of his second coming in glory, may we take up the call. May we take up his mission in the world and for the world, today. And as we faithfully work in waiting, may the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, be with you always, even to the end of the age.

Christmas Video - 2012

O Antiphons: O God with us

O Emmanuel, ruler and lawgiver, desire of the nations, savior of all people: Come and set us free, Lord our God.

Advent in Word: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,


    you who lead Joseph like a flock.


You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

     Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,


stir up your might


    and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;


    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

O Lord God of hosts,


    how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears


    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,


    and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;


    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,


    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

Then we shall not turn back from you;


    give us life, and we will call upon your name!

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!


    Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Advent in Reflection: Jesus: Emmanuel…to the end of the age.

 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

Advent is not only a time to reflect upon Christ’s first coming, but it is also appropriate to consider his second coming for which we wait.

It is surprising to many that there is actually not much in scripture regarding “heaven” or the “age to come.” Much of what is said is in regards to the “here and now.” The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a great example of language about Christ’s second coming. For this we could have used such a text as 1 Thessalonians 4. Still, Jesus uses this language of “the end of the age.”

Jesus’ followers had seen him do many things during his ministry. He had performed miracles, told many stories, and spoken out against the Jewish authorities. Here in Matthew 28, undoubtedly what is on his disciples’ minds is his death just days before and, now, his resurrection! How could this be? What had all of this meant? What were they to think? What were they to do now?

The time had now come for his departure; though in a very real way, he would always be present among them. His earthly ministry was finished; yet, it would be taken up and continue through his disciples as they lived out this commission. And many of his disciples would face a similar “end” as they took up this call and participated in the life of Christ. Still, even in death Christ was with them.

This has been encouragement for the people of God for centuries as so many faithful have lived, reflecting the cross of Christ and greatly anticipating and waiting for the coming of Christ. The mantle is now ours to take up.

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Christmas Video - 2011

O Antiphons: O King of the nations

O Ruler of all nations, the only joy of every human heart, O keystone of the mighty arch of humankind: Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.