Christmas angels always tell us, “Do not be afraid!” I wish it were that easy. There are so many things that can unsettle us. As we draw near to the Advent season in 2022, there is war in Ukraine. We witness fires and destructive storms that have left entire communities wiped off the map. In our own city, domestic violence shelters are full. Gun violence is at a record pace. Truth is under assault and COVID lingers. Most of all, in so many ways we are living against each other, rather than for each other. The angel says do not be afraid but there is so much to fear.
Of course, 2022 is not unique. Fear is always in the atmosphere. The angel is not ignorant of that reality, but the angel knows redemption has come, which means no hurt is so deep that it cannot be healed. No life is so broken that it cannot be beautiful. No burden is so heavy it cannot be overcome with blessing. The angel is brimming with hope because the love of God took on skin and was born for you.
No matter what has happened—and surely you have experienced painful and frightening things—yet, the love of this season is for you. It will meet you wherever you are. It is a holy love that calls you by name. So, in a frightening world, do not be afraid.
Of course, 2022 is not unique. Fear is always in the atmosphere. The angel is not ignorant of that reality, but the angel knows redemption has come, which means no hurt is so deep that it cannot be healed. No life is so broken that it cannot be beautiful. No burden is so heavy it cannot be overcome with blessing. The angel is brimming with hope because the love of God took on skin and was born for you.
No matter what has happened—and surely you have experienced painful and frightening things—yet, the love of this season is for you. It will meet you wherever you are. It is a holy love that calls you by name. So, in a frightening world, do not be afraid.
Nov. 27 |
Between Hopes & Fears |
Rev. Zach Walker |
Dec. 4 |
Can We Go Over That First Part Again? |
Rev. Tom Are |
Dec. 11 |
So Good I Could Just Sing? |
Rev. Tom Are |
Dec. 18 |
The Importance of Blessing |
Rev. Tom Are |
Dec. 24 |
This Night is For You (Christmas Eve) |
Rev. Tom Are |
Dec. 25 |
The Christmas Story (Christmas Morning) |
Rev. Tom Are |
Jan. 1 |
A Deeper Longing (New Year’s Day) |
Rev. Melanie Hardison |
A Deeper Longing
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2023 - Rev. Melanie Hardison
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2023 - Rev. Melanie Hardison
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Each New Year brings the hope that life might be different, that we might be different. We know that New Year’s resolutions are often short-lived— and we make them anyway (we are people of hope, after all). But there is a deeper longing underneath our resolutions. What if, like Bartimaeus, we claimed that deeper longing? What if, like the wise ones following the star to Jesus, we dared to truly follow God’s lead? Our scripture reading is Mark 10:46-52.
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The Christmas Story
Christmas Morning, Dec. 25, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
Christmas Morning, Dec. 25, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
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Listen to the podcast
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This Night is for You
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
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Listen to the podcast
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The Importance of Blessing
Dec. 18, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
Dec. 18, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
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Zechariah didn’t speak for months. The entire time Elizabeth was pregnant with their son John, Zechariah said nothing. But after a long season of silence, Zechariah spoke, and when he does he offered a blessing upon his son. We could use more blessing in our lives. Our scripture reading is Luke 1:57-80.
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So Good I Could Just Sing?
Dec. 11, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
Dec. 11, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
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When Gabriel departs, Mary does two things. She rushes to visit Elizabeth, and then she sings. She does both of these because she is filled with joy. Joy is not the same thing as happiness. Joy requires courage, and it gives us a job to do. Our scripture reading is Luke 1:39-55.
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Can We Go Over That First Part Again?
Dec. 4, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
Dec. 4, 2022 - Rev. Tom Are
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It was an unlikely meeting. It was surprising enough when Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, who, coming from a long line of priests, was doing his duty in the temple. If an angel were to appear, perhaps appearing to an old priest doing his duty in the temple is the first place you might look. But this time Gabriel appears in the middle of nowhere, to a young girl, we only know by the name of Mary. It was an unlikely meeting. But, as you know, God often does that which is unlikely. Our scripture reading is Luke 1:26-38.
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Between Hopes & Fears
Nov. 27, 2022 - Rev. Zach Walker
Nov. 27, 2022 - Rev. Zach Walker
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We all have our own personal lists of hopes and fears; sometimes life feels like we are perennially living between them. But what if we allow God to take a peek at those lists? And what if the depths of our fears, through God’s work this season, could spark both hope and change in our lives? Our scripture reading is 1 Kings 19:1-10.
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