Some people are announcing Christ’s imminent return. By contrast, Jesus the Christ says in Matthew 24:36 that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ”   One…

This season of Advent is a time of beginnings, comings, and arrival. Traditionally, that “arrival” emphasis has been a time to anticipate and prepare for the triumphant return of Christ. Currently, some people in various parts of the Church are…

There are 3 Comings. Our United Methodist Book of Worship gives us three emphases for the four weeks in this Advent season: Christ’s coming in human form on that first Christmas long ago Christ’s coming to us continually in Word and Spirit now…

It’s the four weeks before Christmas, including Sundays. It’s time to get ready for Christmas, and all that it means. It’s Advent. It’s from a Latin word meaning “beginning” or “coming” or even “arrival.” What are you beginning this first…

I’m working on a project about Christmas Angels. The word “Angels” comes from a word that simply means “messengers.” But when writing Angels, it frequently appears on my computer screen as Angles. Too often I try to work the Angles…

I’m working on a project about Christmas Angels. The word “Angels” comes from a word that simply means “messengers.” But when writing Angels, it frequently appears on my computer screen as Angles. Too often I try to work the Angles…

A friend from Nashville, Dean McIntyre, shared a great moment he caught on TV last evening. On the Hallmark Channel movie, the pastor announced the closing hymn, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” as “number 240 in your hymnal.” Dean recognized that…

Our church is enjoying “Aaron, The Allergic Shepherd” this weekend in worship. It’s our Children’s Christmas Program, and Saturday evening’s service was phenomenally excellent. St. Francis is generally thought to be the one who came up with the idea of…

“We need a little Christmas” — Mame, written by Jerry Herman Christmas music is everywhere this time of year.  It’s wonderful. But in an effort to not be offensive, many presentations and collections of Christmas music carefully edit out overtly…

“We need a little Christmas” — Mame, written by Jerry Herman Christmas music is everywhere this time of year.  It’s wonderful. But in an effort to not be offensive, many presentations and collections of Christmas music carefully edit out overtly…