Every year at this time Psalm 31:15 comes into my thinking. It is a Psalm of Lament, lamenting on the enemies that surround the speaker, the arrogance of the enemies, the viciousness of the enemies, the arrogance of the enemies are all concerns for the Psalmist. Yet even in the face of these enemies, he …
Tag: First Congregational Church
Dec 26
Between Christmas and New Year’s
This week is a “between week.” Maybe a time for a breath, or to enjoy the leftover turkey sandwich, or return that sweater that just doesn’t fit. However this week comes to you, it is a week that usually is a break from the rush up to the holidays. Let me suggest that we also …
Dec 20
Advent 4: Why Is Love So Important to Christmas?
As noted above, the Bible states that God sent Jesus into the world as an act of love. Jesus came into a world that desperately needed help because it was in the grips of sin. King Herod’s slaughter of the innocents captured this truth in a graphic way: Jesus had entered a world where greed …
Dec 14
Advent 3: Why Do We Say That Christmas Is a Time of Joy?
In Biblical terms, having joy means being happy about something good that has arrived or is coming. Like hope, it has a long-term view of life, emphasizing the good that will come. However, it has a component of great happiness, rejoicing at the good news. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus with joy when Jesus said he would …
