Dear Partner in Preaching, There are so many themes worth exploring in the Prologue to the Gospel of John that it can be difficult to decide just where to land for a sermon. Do we make the connection between the first verse of John and that of Genesis, calling attention to John’s audacious claim to be writing a new Genesis? Do we let our gaze settle instead on the fourteenth verse, John’s Christmas story and the heart of the doctrine of the Incarnation? Either of these elements of John’s magnificent “hymn to the Word” would make for a fine sermon on this second Sunday of Christmas. But I’m going to suggest two other verses, not...
John 1:12-13
posted by DJL
But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. My initial inclination at this point in John’s Gospel is to move immediately to the next verse, John...
A Social Media Christmas
posted by DJL
I’m always intrigued by how social media is shaping the way we make and share meaning. Usually, that takes the form of thinking about how various elements of social media or the larger digital culture can help us share the good news. But from time to time it’s also fun to “look back” and imagine what our forebears would have done with social media. Last year I found “The Digital Story of the Nativity” quite fun in that regard; this year it’s “A Social Network Christmas.” Without wanting to spoil too much, I think my favorite moment was when 23 people “unfriend” Joseph for...
The Advent Conspiracy
posted by DJL
Okay, so yesterday we talked about Advent and its invitation to slow down, to ponder the significance of what God has done (and is still doing!) through Jesus, and in this way to prepare our hearts to celebrate not just the birth of a beautiful child but the incarnation of God in Jesus as Emanuel, God with us. I’m guessing that most readers of this blog already know a fair amount about Advent, and that the post was more of a reminder and invitation than an introduction. But do you know about the Advent Conspiracy? Actually, I’m guessing that many of you do. But for those who don’t: The Advent Conspiracy is a world-wide movement to help...
Unlikely Christmas Carol: Patti Smith’s King...
posted by DJL
While it’s easy to forget this side of New Year’s, we are still actually in the season of Christmas. Knowing that the marvel and wonder and mystery of the Incarnation can’t be comprehended too quickly, the Church established twelve days of Christmas that stretch from the Feast of the Incarnation, on December 25, to the day before the Epiphany of our Lord, on January 6. So on this the 9th day of Christmas, and anticipating the Epiphany celebration that falls this Sunday, I thought I would highlight one more Unlike Christmas Carol. This one also comes from A Very Special Christmas 3: Patti Smith’s version of “We Three...