by David Anderson
John 1: 1-14 “In the beginning was the Word… And the Word became fleshand dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” We end Advent in the place we began. On day one we looked into an empty cradle and filled it with our hopes and prayers. Now Christ is born, but—at least for us […]
by David Anderson 27 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Awareness, Awe, creation, Incarnation, Mystery, Nature/Creation, Salvation
Matthew 2:1-12 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Stars are everywhere at Christmas—they top our trees and stud the skies of nearly every holiday card. It all began with the visit of the Magi, royal astrologers from Babylon, who showed up in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is he who has been […]
by David Anderson 2 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Awareness, Awe, Beauty, Daily Practice, Discernment, Epiphany, Faith in Action, Faith/Trust, Guidance, Joy, Mystery, Seeing, Surrender
Luke 2: 1-7 “And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.” Perhaps Mary’s labor has already started—we are just hours away now. And that means Joseph is worried. So much can go wrong. In ancient cultures, nervous fathers-to-be had rituals to perform during pregnancy and labor. In one old Greek […]
by David Anderson 6 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Breathing, Prayer/Meditation, Waiting
Luke 2: 8-14 “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory ofthe Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.” In our unenchanted world, it can be hard to take angels seriously. But if we dismiss the angels, there is no way for God to reach us. The word […]
by David Anderson 5 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Awareness, Awe, Discernment, Epiphany, LIght, Mystery, Surrender, Transformation
Luke 2: 8-18 “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,which the Lord has made known to us.” We’re often told that shepherds were a rough, disreputable lot. They were poor, uneducated, uncouth, we are reminded. Considered thieves and liars. All of that is true, but that depiction misses the […]
by David Anderson 10 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Belief, Community, Love
Luke 2: 1-7 “And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.” It was December 22, 2000. I was sitting at my desk proofing a service bulletin when a call came in. The receptionist said someone wanted to talk to “the pastor.” That usually meant: someone wants money. This bulletin was past deadline, […]
by David Anderson 10 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Awareness, Awe, Discernment, Epiphany, Listening, Mystery, Seeing
Revelation 22:16 “I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.” I’m an early riser, and in late fall that means I’m up just before the sun. Near September’s end I began to notice a star low on the eastern horizon. Or was it a star? Its light was lambent and clear, […]
by David Anderson 2 Comments Filed Under: Advent, Awareness, Awe, Guidance, LIght, Mystery, Nature/Creation
Luke 2:15-20 “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,which the Lord has made known to us.” I have a friend, now gone, who used to send a Christmas card every year that ended with, “I hope you make it to Bethlehem this year.” I always heard in those words […]
by David Anderson 11 Comments Filed Under: Adult Spirituality, Advent, Awareness, Patience, Reality--trusting it, Salvation, Surrender, Transformation