Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Isaiah 9:2; 6-7 + Matthew 2:1-12 If you’ve been watching or reading the news, I’m sure you’ve heard about the upcoming ‘Christmas Star.’ This evening, Jupiter and Saturn are coming together in what scientists call a “great conjunction.” From Earth, the two …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Psalm 8 This week’s Psalm has some powerful imagery in it. As he writes, David praises God for his majesty, glory, and strength. Our God is a big God. He made the universe, setting the moon and stars in their places (v. …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:13-17 + Luke 1:67-80 + Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist is a fascinating person. He’s known as a wild man, living in the wilderness and subsisting on honey. But John also has a unique origin story, which undoubtedly drew attention to his …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:39-56 When I married my husband, I knew I would have to move. He was living and working south of my hometown. For the first time, I would be uprooting. I lived in my hometown for nearly 30 years before I was …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:26-38 I am not a particularly good decision-maker. I can decide, but I don’t like when things need an answer time-yesterday-hurry-up-already. To feel confident about a decision, I usually need lists, research, some what-if wonderings, a few sleepless nights, and a partridge …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Matthew 1:18-25 + Matthew 2:13-23 Growing up, my family didn’t regularly attend church. As I made my way through college, I started attending services. I especially love services for holy days – Ash Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, and Easter. As major …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:5-7; 23-25; 57-66 I have several secret writing mentors. Although we don’t know each other personally, these are people that I watch and follow. I want to know how they do things. One such writer is Annie F. Downs. I pay …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Luke 1:1-22; 62-80 As I was reading for today, the first image that popped into my head was from kindergarten. Hang with me here. At that age, one of the most coveted duties, at least as I recall, was line leader. The line …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Psalm 13 Throughout this season, many of us focus on joy. Christmas’s excitement and expectation cause our hearts to beat faster, and the anticipation starts our adrenaline pumping. But I know Christmas time isn’t that way for everyone. For many, this season is …
Want Advent emails delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up here! Readings: Matthew 1:1-17 + Luke 3:21-38 + Galatians 4:1-7 It’s the spring of 2015. My not-yet-husband and I have met for our second date, choosing a city halfway between the two of us. As we’re driving around an unfamiliar city, we explore a subdivision …
