Christmas

Christ Enters My World: The Gospel of Luke

Leave a Comment / Christmas, Lung Cancer, Personal, Theological Reflection / By /

Today we come to the most beloved version of the Christmas story, the long narrative found in the gospel of Luke. The orderly account of extraordinary events shouts “Miracle! Miracle!” from the beginning of chapter 1 to the end of chapter 2, a total of 120 verses. The details, the characters, the cast of thousands (angels, shepherds, a crowded Bethlehem) surround the essential, sacred truth: God broke into history, conceiving Jesus in Mary’s womb, birthing him away from home (literally and figuratively) under difficult circumstances, and working the redemption that would save the world from its sin. We catch a […]

Christ Enters My World: The Gospel of Luke Read More »

Christ Enters My World: The Gospel of Mark

Leave a Comment / Christmas, Lung Cancer, Personal, Spiritual Disciplines / By /

I continue to push back against the tide of other topics and preoccupations this week, to ponder in a new way the meaning of Christmas. If Christ came into the world, is it not reasonable to appreciate that he came into my world (and our world) as well? If he did that, his incarnation surely has an impact on the conduct of my life. Today we turn the page to the gospel of Mark, which has no birth narrative. The story of Jesus’ life starts thirty years later, with the prophetic announcement of his cousin John: “Prepare the way of

Christ Enters My World: The Gospel of Mark Read More »

Christ Enters My World: Christmas According to Matthew

Leave a Comment / Christmas, Lung Cancer, Personal, Spiritual Disciplines, The Pastoral Call, Theological Reflection / By /

Preachers have a dual challenge each week, to exegete a scriptural text for preaching and to interpret where their people are in a position to hear it. Because of my current detachment from my church family for wisdom’s sake (avoidance of the colds and flu going around), it seems as though the last thing on my mind these days is Christmas. I have not seen the decorations in the sanctuary, attended a party, or even completed my Christmas shopping. Unlike yours, perhaps, my mental space is occupied at the moment with this decision that will be made on Christmas Eve

Christ Enters My World: Christmas According to Matthew Read More »

Scroll to Top