ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 15, 2021Tradition around Advent has given us a single word of focus for each week. They are: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Why not generosity or kindness? Why those four? There are a lot of so-called explanations, but I don’t believe historians would give much credence to them. And other traditions assign other symbols and words to each of the four weeks of Advent. This Sunday
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 14, 2021What do you call success? What does the church consider to be a great turnout? I was thinking about this on my drive back from visiting my sister yesterday. The Christmas story has no one being present at the time of the birth, outside of the Holy Family. Here was the grand entrance of Jesus, and only later did a handful of shepherds (we don’t
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 12, 2021Prayer for the Week: I had two people who commented about the opening prayer from Sunday’s worship, and so I am modifying it for today’s Ecclesiological Etching. Holy and Magnificent God, as we continue to move through the Season of Advent – a time for thoughtful reflection – we find something building within us. There is an anticipatory joy that is expanding within us, stretching
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 12, 2021Salvation is one of those loaded words. Though I love the word, I am very cautious about using the word because of how it is heard in certain circles. For some, it is nothing more than the ticket to the afterlife. It is as if Jesus provided us an escape capsule that we jump into at the point of death. I do not believe that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 11, 2021I enjoy what some would call deep theological conversations, but I also recognize that such heady exchanges are not for everyone. Amidst all the eschatological, ecclesiological and teleological discussions, the simple word, Emmanuel, is what brings joy to my heart. In Matthew 1, we learn that the child being born into the world will be named Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” You can
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 10, 2021It was Bing Crosby who made the song, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” famous in 1943. This was during the height of the United States’ involvement in World War II, yet the song has maintained it poignant influence on generations since. It does not matter the cause of separation, there is something about Christmas that only intensifies the hurt and longing. It’s just another date
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 9, 2021You probably have moments when you read a passage of scripture and find yourself saying, “What! Are you kidding me!!” I find one of those passages in James 1:2 where we read: “My brothers and sisters, think of the various trials you encounter as occasions for joy.” I tend to think of the things that make my life easier as occasions for joy, not the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 8, 2021In recent weeks, I have been intrigued by the number of times I’ve heard people make the connection between joy and gratitude. Most of them have been outside of religious circles. Both joy and gratitude are not necessarily emotions or attitudes exclusive to people of faith. For that reason, I have found myself trying to explore the connection beyond the theological structures I would usually
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 7, 2021A quick show of hands – How many people enjoy unexpected change? The church as an institution is not known for its flexibility and capacity to go with the flow. I am one that will avoid change in most every situation if it is possible. Yet when I think of the desire to stand my ground against change, it doesn’t really sit well with the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGDecember 6, 2021Prayer for the Week:As music guides our thoughts and imaginations, we find ourselves in your presence, O Spirit of the Advent Experience. The songs and the familiar melodiesof this season have a capacity to usher us from one worldview to another. Our bodies do not change location, but we find ourselves beckoned and drawn from unhealthy ways of living and into a reign of abundant