In Mary's story we see similarities and differences to Elizabeth's story. One builds upon the other. Mary - a young girl in a very frightening and difficult position - shows us what an authentic human response to Christmas can be. If we are looking for a different kind of Christmas this year, we need only look to this young girl for advice.
In Mary's story we see similarities and differences to Elizabeth's story. One builds upon the other. Mary - a young girl in a very frightening and difficult position - shows us what an authentic human response to Christmas can be. If we are looking for a different kind of Christmas this year, we need only look to this young girl for advice.
In the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah we encounter anticipation, hope, wholeness and joy - the very themes of Advent. As we hear this story we are transported back to a time and place remote from us and yet one in which our human struggles remain the same.
In the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah we encounter anticipation, hope, wholeness and joy - the very themes of Advent. As we hear this story we are transported back to a time and place remote from us and yet one in which our human struggles remain the same.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, as we light the Candle of Peace, we anticipate the coming of Christ through the words of Matthew as he appropriates images and concepts from the Book of Isaiah in his writing.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, as we light the Candle of Peace, we anticipate the coming of Christ through the words of Matthew as he appropriates images and concepts from the Book of Isaiah in his writing.
On this First Sunday Of Advent, as we light the Candle of Hope, we are called to remember that our hope is predicated not in our faithfulness to God but in God's faithfulness to us. The faithfulness of God, given a human face at Christmas, becomes real as we seek to live into our vocation: ushering in the Kingdom of God.
On this First Sunday Of Advent, as we light the Candle of Hope, we are called to remember that our hope is predicated not in our faithfulness to God but in God's faithfulness to us. The faithfulness of God, given a human face at Christmas, becomes real as we seek to live into our vocation: ushering in the Kingdom of God.
On this special Sunday in the church year - Christ The King Sunday - we look at the Kingship of Christ - a way of being a king unlike any other that humankind has ever known. We explore the central ideas of the Kingdom of God and how these are designed to shape our understanding of Christ's kingship.
On this special Sunday in the church year - Christ The King Sunday - we look at the Kingship of Christ - a way of being a king unlike any other that humankind has ever known. We explore the central ideas of the Kingdom of God and how these are designed to shape our understanding of Christ's kingship.
The Gospel of John begins with words that remind us of the start of the Book of Genesis, "In the beginning ..." Those familiar with Genesis might expect to hear next, "God created ..." but instead, from John, we hear, "was the Word." We explore the reasons why John might want us to think back to Genesis as he starts to write about Jesus.
The Gospel of John begins with words that remind us of the start of the Book of Genesis, "In the beginning ..." Those familiar with Genesis might expect to hear next, "God created ..." but instead, from John, we hear, "was the Word." We explore the reasons why John might want us to think back to Genesis as he starts to write about Jesus.
We have seen that the narrative presented to us in Protestant Bibles has some 300 - perhaps even 400 - years of silence between the books, although much of great importance happened during that time. Today we look at the start of the Gospel of Mark and look back on the intertestamental period and beyond to see if that sheds light on what we read as we transition into the New Testament.
We have seen that the narrative presented to us in Protestant Bibles has some 300 - perhaps even 400 - years of silence between the books, although much of great importance happened during that time. Today we look at the start of the Gospel of Mark and look back on the intertestamental period and beyond to see if that sheds light on what we read as we transition into the New Testament.
When we close the Old Testament, we finish reading a document written in Hebrew (with a little Aramaic here and there) and when we open the New Testament we encounter a document written in Greek. What happened to bring about such a huge change in just a few hundred years?
When we close the Old Testament, we finish reading a document written in Hebrew (with a little Aramaic here and there) and when we open the New Testament we encounter a document written in Greek. What happened to bring about such a huge change in just a few hundred years?
The hand of God is seen at work as the Babylonians are defeated by the Persians and Cyrus issues an edict allowing the exiles to return to Judah where they set about building a second Temple. The conflicts and prophetic voices that accompany this great work set the stage for the coming of the Messiah in the years ahead.
The hand of God is seen at work as the Babylonians are defeated by the Persians and Cyrus issues an edict allowing the exiles to return to Judah where they set about building a second Temple. The conflicts and prophetic voices that accompany this great work set the stage for the coming of the Messiah in the years ahead.
The crushing period of the Exile shapes the religious life of the people of God. The parallels to those who feel exiled from the community of God's people are striking.
The crushing period of the Exile shapes the religious life of the people of God. The parallels to those who feel exiled from the community of God's people are striking.
As we explore the events leading up to the Babylonian Exile and the theological crisis that this brought about for the people of Judah. Interestingly enough, it is the same theological crisis that many encounter today!
As we explore the events leading up to the Babylonian Exile and the theological crisis that this brought about for the people of Judah. Interestingly enough, it is the same theological crisis that many encounter today!
As we follow the fate of the southern kingdom of Judah we see how its monarchs engage in much which is good, bad and ugly! And as the leaders go, so do the people. We see how easy it is to be influenced by those around us and how such influence can lead not only to good but also to much which is bad or even ugly. How we choose our circle of friends - those who influence us - is seen to be a critical factor in determining how our lives play out.
As we follow the fate of the southern kingdom of Judah we see how its monarchs engage in much which is good, bad and ugly! And as the leaders go, so do the people. We see how easy it is to be influenced by those around us and how such influence can lead not only to good but also to much which is bad or even ugly. How we choose our circle of friends - those who influence us - is seen to be a critical factor in determining how our lives play out.
The last years of the northern kingdom are characterized by bloodshed and mayhem as one king after another fails to be faithful. The nation becomes a vassal state, then an occupied land and finally ceases to exist as a viable entity. The words and deeds of Hosea illustrate the entire saga and the Book of Romans calls on such images to illustrate the work of Jesus and the good news that he presents to us all.
The last years of the northern kingdom are characterized by bloodshed and mayhem as one king after another fails to be faithful. The nation becomes a vassal state, then an occupied land and finally ceases to exist as a viable entity. The words and deeds of Hosea illustrate the entire saga and the Book of Romans calls on such images to illustrate the work of Jesus and the good news that he presents to us all.
In our journey through the Biblical narrative, we come the point where the consequences of the division into two kingdoms starts to become apparent. The events in the north build as one king after another "does what is evil in the sight of the LORD". Bad choices have consequences!
In our journey through the Biblical narrative, we come the point where the consequences of the division into two kingdoms starts to become apparent. The events in the north build as one king after another "does what is evil in the sight of the LORD". Bad choices have consequences!
King Solomon was legendary for his wisdom and yet he was not wise enough to see how his own actions would lead to the disintegration of his kingdom under the rule of his son. The division of the kingdom led to two separate realms: Israel and Judah and it was hundreds of years later that Jesus set about rebuilding the people of God into one body with one mission.
King Solomon was legendary for his wisdom and yet he was not wise enough to see how his own actions would lead to the disintegration of his kingdom under the rule of his son. The division of the kingdom led to two separate realms: Israel and Judah and it was hundreds of years later that Jesus set about rebuilding the people of God into one body with one mission.
