By Laura Stephens-Reed I am so relieved that heading into Advent and Christmas 2021, the pandemic is in the rearview mirror. We can put aside the difficulty and the different look of last year’s holiday observances and go all out, with all of our people back in the pews! Record scratch. The reality is that … Continue reading
By Rachel Gunter Shapard 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with … Continue reading
By Ronald Thomas, Sr. “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Mark 13:37 In this season of Advent, Mark reminds the church to watch, wait, and prepare for Christ’s second coming. We prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, and at the same time, we read the words … Continue reading
By Kristan Pitts Advent is a season of paradox. It’s a season where we hold in tension the celebration of the birth of Christ and the anticipation of Christ’s second coming. 2020 has been an exercise of what it means to exist in tension. We have experienced a pandemic, increased visibility of structural injustice, polarizing political … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed In normal years I hold the liturgical line, waiting until after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas tree. In 2020, though, all bets are off. The tree was up by mid-November. I know I wasn’t alone in skipping ahead. I was so glad that I did, because unboxing and hanging the ornaments … Continue reading
By Jiquan Davis What is Advent? According to The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide, Advent is the period of preparation before his birth on Christmas Day. It begins four Sundays before Christmas on Advent Sunday; the date varies depending on which day of the week Christmas falls. Advent is a word with Latin roots and … Continue reading
By Paul Baxley This past Sunday we began the Season of Advent. So much was different this year. Because of the surging coronavirus pandemic, we did not begin Advent with large congregations in sanctuaries. Many more worshipped online than in person. We could not sing the carols of Advent with the same energy, instead the … Continue reading
Following the Star, the devotional series for Advent and Christmas, returns to d365.org, beginning on November 29. This series features scripture, prayer, and meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. Writers include Emmitt Drumgoole, Pastoral Resident at Second Baptist in Liberty, Miss., Rosy Robson, Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, Texas, Luz Cabrera Montes, Youth Ministry Liaison for The … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed For many pastors September is the month when they begin looking toward Advent. The program year is underway, the stewardship team has begun its work, and the music director is requesting seasonal themes in order to select appropriate pieces and prepare the choir to sing them. That means there’s space and impetus … Continue reading
By Michele Shadden I stand amazed in the presence of a God who loves me beyond measure and grace. I wonder “who, me?” and “why me?” That is a mystery to which I will never know the answer. God just loves me and us with God’s heart and with all that God is and God … Continue reading
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