Tag: Christmas
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The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
The Christmas Proclamation as it is sometimes called comes from the Roman Martyrology. It is usually read on Christmas Eve before the Midnight Mass. The proclamation sets the birth of Jesus in relationship to events of the Old Testament as well as the Greek and Roman worlds. It is a way of dating Jesus’ birth Read more
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What Is Your Christmas Story? – A Christmas Sermon on Luke 2:1-20
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place.” That’s what the shepherds said after the angels had left them and gone into heaven. It wasn’t enough to just hear the good news. It wasn’t enough to just receive the birth announcement. Somewhere deep within they wanted to be a Read more
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The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ
Most years our Christmas liturgy at St. Philip’s begins with the processional hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful. Along the way the procession stops at the creche to place Jesus in the manger and offer prayers. This year we will first hear The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ and then begin the processional hymn. The Read more
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No Longer a Manger Baby: Letting Jesus Grow Up – A Sermon on Luke 2:41-52
“Child, why have you treated us like this?” Sound familiar? Do you know those words? Do they take you back to another time, another place? Think back to your childhood. Do you remember hearing those words or words like them? Think about your own children and your parenting of them. Did you ever say anything Read more
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The Manger of Christ Never Disappoints – A Christmas Eve Sermon on Luke 2:1-14
“To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:1-14) That says it all. That’s the Christmas truth. It’s the only thing that needs to be said or really even can be said. And it’s the only thing I have to tell you tonight. Read more
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He and Us – Thoughts on the Nativity from St. Ambrose
“He was a baby, a child, so that you may become a complete, mature person. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, so that you might be freed from the bonds of death. He was in a manger, so that you may be on the altar. He came to earth so that you may be Read more
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Christmas On! A Sermon on John 1:1-18
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us” (From John 1:1-18; First Sunday after Christmas) How was your Christmas? It is a question I have asked and been asked over the last few days. While I understand what is being asked I also hear an underlying assumption that Christmas is over. It is the Read more
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Gazing into the Face of a New Beginning – A Christmas Sermon on Luke 2:1-20
She gave birth, wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger. It’s all rather matter of fact as St. Luke tells it (Luke 2:1-20; Christmas Eve). It sounds like it could be any birth. It was probably like a lot of births throughout the world today. A newborn, a blanket of sorts, Read more
Interrupting the Silence 