Christmas Love The gospel according to Nicholas (my grandson): At this time of the year I find it easy to blend Christmas folklore with the truth of the incarnation and come up with a messed up understanding of what Christmas is really all about. Recently, I passed a house that went overboard on its Christmas décor. The lawn was packed with blown up versions of Santa, Frosty, Rudolf, elves, and in the middle of all this a nativity scene. It all blends together to make for a c

Christmas Love The gospel according to Nicholas (my grandson): At this time of the year I find it easy to blend Christmas folklore with the truth of the incarnation and come up with a messed up understanding of what Christmas is really all about. Recently, I passed a house that went overboard on its Christmas décor. The lawn was packed with blown up versions of Santa, Frosty, Rudolf, elves, and in the middle of all this a nativity scene. It all blends together to make for a c

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people.” – Luke 2:10 “For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.”- Frederick Buechner I have a confession: this year I broke the rule of appropriate

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people.” – Luke 2:10 “For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.”- Frederick Buechner I have a confession: this year I broke the rule of appropriate

“And His name will be called… Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6 On Christmas Eve, when I was young, I would attend my grandparent’s (on my dad’s side) church, Peace Lutheran in West Seattle, for the candlelight service, dressed in my Christmas best. During the greeting time, parishoners would “pass the peace” to one another; in which my Uncle Jeff, in his faded blue jeans, would attempt to be cool by flashing two fingers and saying, “peace” in a low voice. I always wanted to si

As we enter the second week of Advent, we reflect on the theme of faith. I would ask our hearts to consider the goodness of God, regardless of the disappointments last season may have held and no matter what uncertainty the current season may hold – steadfast in the promise that God is always working on our behalf. As we kicked off the Advent season reflecting on hope, it seems appropriate to now lean into faith as we look towards Christmas and the promise it represents. “Now

"Genuine hope is not blind optimism. It is hope with open eyes, which sees the suffering and yet believes in the future." ~ Jürgen Moltmann For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kin