Introduction to Advent Devotional 2016
The Light Shining in the Darkness, that Cannot be Overcome During this time of Advent preparation for the birth of Jesus, I offer you a message of hope. This is a hope embodied in the spirit and will of all those who refuse to submit to the forces of oppression, violence and injustice, to the structures of domination, colonialism and foreign occupation. This is a hope embodied in truth-telling -- in a Truth that is eternal. It is not easy to answer the call to truth-telling w
1st Week of Advent: Surprised by God
The Light Shining in the Darkness, that Cannot be Overcome Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 This Sunday’s lectionary texts surprise us with a vision of peace that breaks in, disrupting business as usual. Isaiah’s rousing vision of nations streaming to God’s mountain is jolting with its graphic images of the ways in which the ancient war machine will be decisively overcome. God’s enactment of justice will catch us unawares. In our daily lives as Pales
2nd Week of Advent: No Longer Enemies
The Light Shining in the Darkness, that Cannot be Overcome Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 This Sunday’s lectionary texts present the familiar vision of the peaceable kingdom -- a place of harmonious coexistence of those who might seem like “natural” enemies. This is the place where God enacts perfectly just rewards and punishments, perfect winnowing. We get a taste of this Reign of God as we live in harmony with one another. Paul urges us
3rd Week of Advent: Sumoud, Patient Resistance
The light shining in the darkness, that cannot be overcome Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 This Sunday’s lessons remind us that God’s nature is justice. In that sense, God has already lifted up the lowly. God has already brought down the powerful from their thrones. Signs of God’s activity are everywhere, as in Isaiah’s vision of the transformation of the land. “Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here
4th Week of Advent: Signs of Peace
The light shining in the darkness, that cannot be overcome Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 The lessons for this Sunday describe signs of God that appear in the midst of everyday life. Joseph was an example of faithfulness, even when the signs he perceived were unclear, even mysterious. When we have been “fed with the bread of tears”, scorned and ridiculed, we long to be restored by God. Jesus is the image or sign of God in human life, and l
