Yesterday was the Festival of the Holy Innocents, the day the Church commemorates the murder of all the boys two years old and younger in and around Bethlehem, at Herod’s order, once he realized that the magi had deceived him and Jesus–infant threat to his power–had escaped. The children are memorialized as the first Christian…… Continue reading The Holy Innocents, Wounded Knee, and Fear
Category: Christmas
Hopkins & the Incarnation
I just finished A Heart Lost in Wonder, a short, accessible biography of Gerard Manley Hopkins, one of my two favorite poets. There’s not much new here, but the author, Catherine Randall, writes a very engaging story, and goes into enough theology to make the key points clear, without too much detail for the non-specialist.…… Continue reading Hopkins & the Incarnation
Making Room at Christmastime
I am squeezing in one more Advent reflection with just a few hours to go! I have been thinking about a passage from Dorothy Day, titled “Room for Christ.” It was the reflection in my Advent devotional from December 19th. She begins her reflection this way: “It is no use saying that we are born…… Continue reading Making Room at Christmastime
A Sign of Good News
This morning, when I got back from my run, John had the news on, and I walked into the room just in time to see a nurse in NYC receive one of the first Corona virus vaccines. And, I’m not going lie, I choked up a bit. There it was: undeniable and irrefutable–a tangible sign…… Continue reading A Sign of Good News
A Good Time to Wait
This year, more than usual, I have been looking forward to the season of Advent. I love Advent every year, mostly because of how much I love Christmas, and so I take great delight in the anticipation of the joy of the incarnation and the celebration of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Christmas is a season of love,…… Continue reading A Good Time to Wait
Targeting Cultural Sites for Destruction
Remember the Buddhas of Bamiyan? These were two 6th century enormous statues of the Buddha that were carved into giant niches in Central Afghanistan, in the Bamiyan valley. They became national news when they were destroyed by dynamite by the Taliban in 2001, and while there continue to be talks about possible rebuilding, currently…… Continue reading Targeting Cultural Sites for Destruction
The Incarnation & The Cosmos
I got to preach the Christmas Day service at the Seminary; I love preaching on John 1, and I love that service–it is always full of such joy. Here’s the sermon, with some science thrown in as well–I hope you like it. Last night, in congregations and homes all around the world, the creche was…… Continue reading The Incarnation & The Cosmos
Becoming a Time Philanthropist
I’m not a big time-management kind of person. I don’t do a lot of reading about it, and it’s not something I stress about too much. The fact is, I’m at high J [Myers Briggs], and for all my flaws, mismanaging time is not one of them. However, I do follow a blog that is…… Continue reading Becoming a Time Philanthropist
Stardust and the Incarnation
Last night was mid-year graduation at Gettysburg College. It was the first time I had attended, and it was a really lovely ceremony. The graduates were recognized, and as each one came across the stage, we heard just a little about them. There were only 30 or so students, so the ceremony had a very…… Continue reading Stardust and the Incarnation
Thoughts for 2017: Believe; Act; Abide
So, thoughts on 2016? Not one of our best years, was it? First and foremost, whatever you think about the Trump election, the election cycle was divisive and ugly, and brought out the most contentious in many of us. And, we ended up with a president who has said truly despicable things about women, Muslims,…… Continue reading Thoughts for 2017: Believe; Act; Abide
Happy Lutheran 