It can perhaps seem a bit out-of-touch to be writing this series on the Church Calendar when there may be more important topics to discuss in our current times. Yet, one of the epiphanies of this Epiphany season might just be how much the Church Lectionary can help us understand the essentials of the Gospel, […]
On Where to Start
When the rush of Christmas wears off and the realities of the world begin to wear us down again, the Epiphany season of the Church Calendar invites us to revisit the beginning of our faith journey by recalling the significance of baptism. Regardless of denominational differences regarding baptism practices, the meaning of baptism itself does […]
On the Unexpected
It doesn’t take long for us to see that the expectations we have for the Christ Child might not match the plans of God. The Epiphany season of the Church Calendar is here to disrupt our expectations of Jesus. After Advent and Christmas, Epiphany rolls on in with equal amounts of celebration and confusion. Following […]
On Epiphanies
Epiphanies tend to come in waves. That is to say, one epiphany can lead to a second. Or, a singular epiphany can morph over time into an even greater one. The same is true for the Church’s Epiphany season that follows Christmas, during which there is much to discover. Epiphany kicks off with the celebration […]
On Motherhood
A theme that caries from Advent through Christmastide is that of motherhood. While this is most commonly discussed in relation to the Virgin Mary and her older cousin Elizabeth, the entire birth narrative of Jesus invites us to ponder God’s motherly attributes as well. Elizabeth’s miraculous birth opens the Advent season. At an elderly age, […]
On Christmastide
The secular celebration of the Christmas season seems to start early and end fast. The Church Calendar though offers a different approach to this time of year. Advent, which is in many ways clearly distinct from Christmas, is a quieter and slower waiting period leading up to Christmas, and then the joyous Christmas hubbub can […]
On Arrival
The season of Advent is only four weeks long and before you know it the celebration of the Christ Child on Christmas morning is just about here. Advent literally means the significant arrival of some person or event. Like so many seasons of the Church Year (and themes of Christianity itself) there are multiple layers […]
On Hope and Despair
When waiting in the dark for God, there are two companions at our side: hope and despair. One is there to comfort and the other is there to destroy. The story of Jesus’ birth and the season of Advent urge us to have hope when despair is leaning heavily on our spirit, or even threatening […]
On Darkness
This time of year is sometimes called “the season of light” as we light candles and other festive decorations. It is equally though the season of darkness. While this is particularly true in the Northern Hemisphere, it is also true from the lens of Advent. This season of the Church Calendar is about both light […]
On Waiting
The season of Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting. For the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day, when we get to finally and fully celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ into the world, the Church Calendar invites us to slow down and wait. During this period, many churches and Christian homes light […]
Relevant Reformation 