"Once the star in the sky is gone and the kings are back home, that is when the work of Christmas begins." -Howard Thurman How would you describe the work of Christmas? // Luke 2:8-20 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great ...
Dec 25, 2022•7 min
"Every day I show up and every day I overcome my anger and my hopelessness and every day I perform my little toil of love. That, I deem, is large enough for me. " What is the "little toil of love" that you are called to? // I had no time for hate. The grave would hinder me. For life is not so ample I could finish enmity. Nor had I time for love. But, since some industry must be My little toil of love, I deem Is large enough for me. (Emily Dickinson) // This episode was written and recorded by Re...
Dec 24, 2022•10 min
"God doesn't seek the palaces of the privileged but God seeks to be in the dust and the dirt, the muck and the mire, the realness of humanity. God is not found in the holy and the sacred places but among the ordinary people and the ordinary moments of our lives." Where have you found God lately? // Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was...
Dec 23, 2022•9 min
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." -Will Rogers What is the first impression you hope to give to others? // Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the ...
Dec 22, 2022•9 min
"There is a wonder and beauty in hearing our voices rise, the diversity of harmonies, the unity of lyrics." What songs do you always find particularly moving and powerful? // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Benjamin Perry. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence played by Carl Stronach. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of Be Still and Go. • Vis...
Dec 21, 2022•7 min
"After all the meditating is done, not forever, but for the moment—we are called to act—to follow Jesus into the world—doing the gospel." As you follow Jesus into the world, where is he leading you? // Luke 3:15-18 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of h...
Dec 20, 2022•9 min
"We need God-with-us to fight off systems of injustice, to learn how to love our neighbors, and to enjoy this beautiful world that God has given us." How does 'Immanuel' inspire and empower you to work for justice in this world? // Isaiah 7:10-16 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too littl...
Dec 19, 2022•6 min
"If the Lord is calling you to play a particular role, whether it is to birth a dream of your own or to support the birth of another person's dream, fear not." What dream is God inviting you to support or give birth to? // Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her ...
Dec 18, 2022•7 min
"Hope is more than a birthday wish we make with our eyes closed. It is a declaration that we believe and embody and bring to life in the world around us." What's your definition of hope? // This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat, the Digital Minister at The Riverside Church. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear, The Afterlife by Yacht, and The Tide by Alex Fitch. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more episodes from all eight seasons of ...
Dec 17, 2022•9 min
"Dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, and to love our enemy as our friend." What would it look like for God to enlarge your heart? // Matthew 11:2-11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are clean...
Dec 16, 2022•11 min
"Patience like a farmer recognizes that we aren’t the only force working on whatever it is we are currently tending to." How would you describe your relationship with patience? // James 5:7-10 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Brothers and sisters,...
Dec 15, 2022•6 min
"The subtle power of this song is that forces me to confront the reality that I am perfectly content singing joy to my world, or maybe even our world, so long as I like the people around me. But joy to the whole world?" If you’re honest, who are the people that you do not want to have joy? What difference would it make if you prayer for “joy to the world” could extend to them as well? // Psalm 98: 4-6 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. ...
Dec 14, 2022•9 min
"God's best work is in the fray of humankind. God's story for us is that sorrow may last for the night but the dawn of redeeming grace is on the horizon." How would you describe God's story for us? // Psalm 146:5-10 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord ...
Dec 13, 2022•7 min
"The promise is not that we are going to be moved to a different place but rather the sight of our suffering and desolation will become the sight of incarnation and divine revelation." How can you find God in the midst of the suffering and desolation we encounter in this world? // Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to ...
Dec 12, 2022•9 min
"When Jesus comes to town, the bullies tremble whether they are wearing a badge, a robe, or a bandana." What would Jesus say or do if he came to your town? // Isaiah 42:1-9 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or lift up his voice or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring for...
Dec 11, 2022•8 min
"Advent reminds us that no matter where we are in life or what circumstances we are experiencing, our horizons are filled with promise." What promises do you see on the horizon? // Bring me all of your dreams, You dreamers, Bring me all of your Heart melodies That I may wrap them In a blue cloud-cloth Away from the too-rough fingers Of the world. // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Charlene WIngate. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington ...
Dec 10, 2022•8 min
"We already have exactly what we need for this potluck Christmas feast – our hearts. We just have to thaw them out." What are the ways that you can "thaw your heart" this Advent season? // In the bleak midwinter Frosty wind made moan Earth stood hard as iron Water like a stone Snow had fallen Snow on snow on snow In the bleak midwinter Long, long ago Angels and Arc Angels May have traveled there Cherubim and Seraphim Thronged the air But only his Mother In her maiden bliss Worshiped the beloved ...
Dec 09, 2022•9 min
"I came to see the stories of the virgin birth less as facts to be debated in a literal sense and more as signs or mysteries to be pondered in a literary sense. Their greatest value isn’t in proving something but in meaning something. And what could that meaning be?" In your opinion, what is the meaning of the virgin birth? // Luke 1:26-35 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of...
Dec 08, 2022•10 min
"God has hands – they're attached to your wrists. And so when we show up, that is the embodiment of God-with-us." How will you embody God in the world around you today? // Isaiah 11:1-10 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not...
Dec 07, 2022•8 min
"Ask God to expand our capacity for love and kindness, to reveal our blindspots, and to help us ponder what could be holding us back for how Christ shows up in the world today." What's holding you back? // Romans 15:4-13 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Chris...
Dec 06, 2022•13 min
"Mary didn’t rejoice because she was blissfully unaware of real-world danger; rather, she rejoices through it as a radical practice in faithfulness." What is one thing you can rejoice about today? // Luke 1:46 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper, the Minister of Older Adults at The Riverside Church. It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear, Redwood...
Dec 05, 2022•8 min
"If you stay silent, where will the oppressed find their freedom? Who will bring truth to power?" In your own words, why is it so easy to stay silent, especially about the things that matter? // Esther 4:1-17 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. In every provin...
Dec 04, 2022•7 min
"As we walk with Jesus this Advent season, Christ gave us to each other so that we can remind each other of the promise that Christ is coming to make the world new." Where do you see Christ making the world new around you? // Matthew 24:36-44 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and...
Dec 03, 2022•11 min
"Even though it went against every fact that surrounded her, Mary could see a world where the hungry would be filled and promises would be kept. Mary could see God’s vision. She dreamt God’s dream." In your own words, what is God’s vision and dream for our world? // Luke 1:47-50 My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! For though I’m God’s humble servant, God has noticed me. Now and forever, I will be considered blessed by all generations. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; holy is ...
Dec 02, 2022•7 min
Debauchery is a part of militarism. It can’t exist without the debasement that a person undergoes. But hopefully we can move beyond it and become a more peaceful people. In your opinion, what is one thing we should do to become a more peaceful people? // Romans 13:11-14 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the w...
Dec 01, 2022•5 min
"I want to experience Jesus growing in me during Advent. I want to feel him moving in me and moving me to greater closeness with him." How do you experience Jesus growing in you during the season of Advent? // O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia! // This episode was written and recorded by Irene King, a member of the Riverside Church and a part of The R...
Nov 30, 2022•9 min
"The birth of God-with-us is our orientation and the season of Advent is a perpetual invitation, to place one foot in front off the other as we discover God born in us, among us, in spite of us, again and again and again." How have you discovered God in us, among us, and in spite of us? // Psalm 122 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes ...
Nov 29, 2022•11 min
Let us transform our weapons into garden tools. Let us study love and justice. Let us lay down our burdens, down by the Riverside. Where do you go and what resources do you turn to in order to study love and justice? // Isaiah 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come...
Nov 28, 2022•7 min
"Justice is like the sun. Watch for it. If you're not paying attention you'll miss it's arrival. You'll overlook the little hints of light everywhere." Where do you see the "little hints of light" rising in our world? // This episode was written and recorded by Rev. Adriene Thorne, the Senior Minister at The Riverside Church It was produced by Rev. Jim Keat. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear and The Tide by Alex Fitch. • Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to listen to more ep...
Nov 27, 2022•4 min
"Advent gives us the lens and then we look through it all year long, always watching and waiting and anticipating and expecting Jesus to be born again and again and again, in us, through us, and sometimes even in spite of us." Where do you see Jesus in the world around you? // This episode was written, recorded, and produced by Rev. Jim Keat, the Digital Minister at The Riverside Church. Background tracks include Relinquish by Podington Bear, O Come O Come Emmanuel by Melinda Kathleen Reese, and...
Nov 17, 2022•6 min
