The season of Epiphany ends this week with Transfiguration Sunday. We entered it with a shining star and we leave it with a shining star. The season of revealing is now followed by the season of introspection, of self-examination. Now that we’ve had a time of learning about how God...

You deserve a break today. And if you can read that without thinking of the rest of the McDonald’s jingle, you’re probably really young. McDonald’s ran that as their tag line from 1970 to 2014, finally retiring it after forty-four years. Of course, it’s more than just a slogan, it’s...

I cry. Some who know me might find that hard to believe, but most likely not, I think. Probably too many moments noticing that I paused just a little too long while trying to share something emotional. There’s been a lot of crying lately. That there was cause, I wish...

I think today’s a good day to hear the story of Jonah. You might remember Jonah from Sunday school as the guy in the whale. He’s probably one of the most familiar bible characters, especially with children, because of that part of his story. His story makes for, well, great...

I truly believe that the best way to know God is in community. And I interpret that broadly, far beyond just the idea of a religious community. I mean the common-unity that is us. All of us in creation. Go to church, sure. But you could also wonder at the...

“You are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11. This verse from the Gospel of Mark comes from the story of Jesus being baptized in the Jordan river by John, the Baptizer. It’s, quite literally, the beginning: Mark’s story of Jesus begins with it. And...

What we often refer to as “The Christmas Story” is a combination of stories from different sources. You probably already new that. Some are biblical, some are tradition. The naming of the magi, for instance, is a tradition. The story from Matthew’s gospel doesn’t name them, but over the centuries...

I’m sure it’s a long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem when you’re walking. It’s only a little over 100 km, but, back in the day, there’d only be a dusty dirt road made by the caravans and soldiers who travelled the route. It sure would have felt long. Even more...

We have a Christmas play in our church service this Sunday. Lots of churches do a Christmas play. Usually on the third or fourth Sunday of Advent, but sometimes, really daring churches will do it on Christmas Eve. It’s a great idea, the Christmas play. It can be anything from...

I think this might be the year I don’t say “Merry Christmas.” No, I’m not replacing it with “bah, humbug.” Nor do I think the “War on Christmas” is a real thing. It’s not. And I’m not looking to be politically correct, either, whatever that really means. Sure, I think...