During the season of Lent we wait with Jesus as he awaits execution.  Our waiting, however, is not a passive waiting—just being there as detached observers.  No, it’s an active, intense, strenuous waiting with Jesus. If we can use modern imagery, we join Jesus on death row and it’s as if we are waiting for [...]

I enjoy the” hinge” connecting the old and new year.  For a couple weeks we commonly look back to recall the most memorable or important or funny or stupid things that happened in the year past.  Likewise, we anticipate the things we will do in the New Year—both the things we vow not to do [...]

In just days we will turn from our Lenten focus on the frailty of our human “flesh” which inevitably leads us to denials, betrayals, and the murder of Messiah.  We will turn from these to the wonder, mystery and glory of resurrection.  We will turn from our failures to God’s triumphs, from our “Can’t!” to [...]

Merry Christmas!  Today we celebrate the coming of the Christ-Child, the One foretold by prophets, anticipated by the faithful, and now given by God.  He is given as descendant of David, as the Messiah King who sits upon the throne of David, his ancestor and forebear, whose government will have no end. The one who [...]

Here is the good news of Christmas: Jesus’ birth brings joy to all the people (Luke 2:10).  God targets all for joy in the giving of a child to Mary and Joseph and through them to the world. (NOTE: Reader’s Alert!  This first Christmas gift disappoints all attempts to be politically correct.) It is not [...]