+ A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bellevue, WA on November 28, 2021 + Text: Luke 21:25-36 Audio: Ok, I have a question for you all. And if I promise not to judge you, will you promise to answer honestly? Ok. Who’s already decorated for Christmas? Ok. How …
Tag: Advent
Within Our Darkest Night
+ A reflection around the Winter Solstice written on December 22, 2014 + “Within our darkest night, you kindle a fire that never dies away” (Taizé song) There have been many times in my life where someone has told me that the celebration of Christmas was silly or even non-Christian as it was simply an appropriation of the …
Advent Reflection: St. John of Damascus
+ An Advent devotional written for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL for December 4, 2014 + Today the Church commemorates St. John of Damascus, Syrian monk and priest, defender of icons, and Father of the Church. “Previously there was absolutely no way in which God, who has neither a body nor a face, could be …
Stay Awake Amidst the Darkness
+ A short sermon preached for Holden Evening Prayer at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL on December 3, 2014 + Text: Matthew 26:36-44 Grace and peace to you from God our Creator and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. When my family moved to Alaska, I remember being enamored by the Land of the Midnight …
Pastor Paul Eldred 