Advent

World AIDS Day and Rosa Parks' Civil Disobedience

Ruth Hawley-Lowry 12-01-2009

December 1 is World AIDS Day. December 1 is also the day that Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on a bus in Montgomery.

Getting Ready for the Unexpected

Walter Brueggemann 12-01-2009

Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle C

Fair Trade Christmas Lists and Links

Julie Clawson 11-30-2009

So the stores are playing Christmas music and down here in Texas the highs are only the 70s and 80s, so the holiday season must be upon us.

Advent: Apocalypse Now?

Diana Butler Bass 11-30-2009

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations caused by the roaring of the sea and the waves," proclaims Jesus in the gospel of Luke.

Our Redemption Draws Near

Michaela Bruzzese 11-01-2009

Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle B & C

A Father's Day Reflection

Brian McLaren 6-18-2009

It's daunting for me to even begin writing about Fathers' Day ...

Being Mindful of Our Blessings

Seth Naicker 12-24-2008

During this time of Advent, a season of cheer and joy, there are people who do not have much in economic standings or bank balances to be cheerful or grateful for.

My Advent Calendar: December 24

Diana Butler Bass 12-24-2008

My Advent Calendar: December 22

Diana Butler Bass 12-22-2008

As the days grow shorter, darker, and colder, our longing for the light intensifies. In these lengthened days of winter, the Advent calendar window opened to reveal Mary, the mother of Jesus, the one who carried light into the world.

My Advent Calendar: December 19

Diana Butler Bass 12-19-2008

Border Walls Keep Out Mary and Baby

Maryada Vallet 12-18-2008

She walks the trails until her ankles swell and her back pulsates with pain.

My Advent Calendar: December 17

Diana Butler Bass 12-17-2008

A set of double doors marked "17" on my Advent calendar opened to a charming image of a minister surrounded by children.

My first thought was of one of the most famous passages in the New Testament:

My Advent Calendar: December 16

Diana Butler Bass 12-16-2008

My Advent Calendar: December 15

Diana Butler Bass 12-15-2008

This morning, I found window 15 outside the church building on the stairs leading up to the cathedral door. Upon opening it, a picture of a smiling family greeted me-a father, mother, and two children.

My Advent Calendar: December 13

Diana Butler Bass 12-13-2008

The December 13 window opens to the fourth gospel-the eagle symbol of the evangelist John.

My Advent Calendar: December 12

Diana Butler Bass 12-12-2008

Following on the theme of the last two windows, Dec. 12 on the Advent calendar opened to a picture of an ox with a book-the symbol of the gospel of Luke.

My Advent Calendar: December 11

Diana Butler Bass 12-11-2008

Not surprisingly, when I opened the eleventh window, it revealed a picture of a lion holding a book-the ancient Christian symbol for Mark the evangelist.

My Advent Calendar: December 10

Diana Butler Bass 12-10-2008

As I opened window 10, I had to squint to see a small angelic figure holding a book-the traditional Christian symbol for Matthew, the gospel writer. Although Christmas conjures images of angels, the Matthew sign isn't an angel. His symbol is a human being with wings.

My Advent Calendar: December 9

Diana Butler Bass 12-09-2008

I had a hard time finding window nine, an elusive little door hidden in the bushes outside of the cathedral. When I opened it, there was a picture of one of the most famous of Jesus' stories: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

My Advent Calendar: December 8

Diana Butler Bass 12-08-2008