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, […]
Tag: Jesus
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 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 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 […]
On Maundy Thursday
I’ve come to view Maundy Thursday as one of the most meaningful dates on the Christian calendar for me. It is a day steeped in lessons that seem to become more and more needed in our modern times, where we have become so desensitized to the dehumanization around us and partake in such acts so […]
On Holy Week
For churches that follow a lectionary of Scripture readings, each year there is typically a different Gospel narrative that is the focus for the year. For many churches, this year’s featured Gospel account is the one attributed to Mark. If you want a fast-action narrative, it is the perfect year to open the Good Book, […]
Relevant Reformation 