Tag: Nativity of Jesus
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Tending To The Child – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
I’m always struck by how different Christmas Day is from Christmas Eve. It’s like the difference between an introvert and an extrovert. Last night was exciting, noisy, and crowded. This morning is calm, quiet, and there aren’t many of us here. Christmas Eve pageantry has given way to Christmas Day simplicity. The candlelight of last Read more
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As Real As A Baby’s Cry – A Christmas Eve Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
The announcement has been made and the news delivered. Today God has come to us as a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:1-20) Emmanuel. God is with us. The angel calls this good news of great joy for all people. Not just for the shepherds but for all Read more
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My New Christmas Word – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
The child has been born. Take a deep breath. Breathe in the truth of his birth. The child has been born. I love the Christmas Day liturgy. It’s one of my favorite liturgies of the whole year. It’s so different from last night’s liturgy. The crowd at last night’s liturgy has gone home. There aren’t Read more
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What Is Your Amazing Story? – A Christmas Eve Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
“They made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:1-20) What do you imagine the shepherds told them? Did they tell about standing in a light of divine presence? Did they admit there were terrified? Did they tell about Read more
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It’s Just Us And The Baby – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
Today’s sermon is going to be pretty low key. I think that’s what this day calls for. This day always feels to me more like a day for reflection than proclamation. I’m taking my cue here from Mary. It’s so quiet this morning, so calm, so empty and, yet, so overflowing. This is always one Read more
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Tonight It Is Filled – A Christmas Eve Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
When I was kid I loved the “then and there” Christmas story. You know it. It’s the one we just heard from the gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 2:1-20). It begins, “In those days …” and it happened “in that region.” “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus ….”“In that region Read more
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“The Work Of Christmas” – A Sermon On John 1:1-18
I think most of us hear about the Word becoming flesh and living among us and we immediately assume it’s about Jesus. I don’t disagree with that. We see him enfleshing the Word of God throughout his life; enfleshing forgiveness, love, mercy, peace, gentleness, nonviolence, wisdom, compassion, generosity. That was his way of being and… Read more
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Now What? So What? – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
It’s so quiet this morning, so calm, so empty. Christmas Day is one of my favorite services every year. It’s just us and the baby. Most years I come to Christmas morning with two questions: Now what? So what? I never seem to have a final and lasting answer. So, once again, I come to… Read more
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By Way Of The Interruptions – A Christmas Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
It began about nine months ago. Life was interrupted when the unexpected and unimaginable happened. And I wondered, “How can this be?” Life was changing and things were getting too real too quick. The government made travel decrees. Some family, friends, and businesses closed to us and said, “No, you can’t come in.” Things just… Read more
Interrupting the Silence 