December 31, 2023 - The First Sunday after Christmas

Lectionary Readings

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

            There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the Episcopal Church. That may sound snobbish, but I truly don’t mean it that way. Episcopalians celebrate Christmas better than the rest. Many of the essential Christmas hymns are English. The tradition of Lessons & Carols that everyone copies is thoroughly Anglican. If you want to attend Christmas worship when you’re away from home visiting family, the best bet is always the local Episcopal Church.

December 25, 2023 - Christmas Day

Lectionary Readings

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

            Did you get any good gifts this morning? Maybe some new clothes, Legos, or chocolates? Since we’re already thinking about what we have received, this morning let’s reflect on the gift we receive at Christmas. We heard in Hebrews, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son.” As the hymn puts it, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.” What a tremendous gift we have been given in Jesus!

December 24, 2023 - Christmas Eve

Lectionary Readings

O God of wonder, open us to the beauty, awe, and magic of this most holy night. Amen.

            “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.” Indeed, this night glimmers unlike any other. Christmas Eve shimmers with the warmth and radiance of a love that defies all explanation, that is full of possibility, and that is making all things well. As Christina Rosetti put it in a Christmas poem, “Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely love divine, love was born at Christmas.” This night is bright with the “wonders of his love.”

December 24, 2023 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

O come, O come, Emmanuel. Amen.

            If you spend time on TikTok or Reddit, you’ve probably run across the term “main character syndrome.” It describes the tendency for someone to view themselves as the lead character in life. They can only see things from their own perspective, making them self-absorbed and self-centered. Those who have this main character syndrome find collaborating with others difficult. Entitlement, narcissism, superiority, and attention and validation seeking are some of the symptoms that go along with it. You’ve all run into these sorts of people – the people who intentionally take up two parking spaces at the mall; the people who are sitting in the left turn lane but decide they want to go straight, so they make everyone behind them just wait even though there is a green turn arrow; the people who expect everyone else to change their plans to accommodate their schedule. This is, obviously, not a new phenomenon – it just has a new name. What people on social media are now calling “main character syndrome,” the Church has called “sin,” for 2,000 years.

December 17, 2023 - The Third Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

O come, O come, Emmanuel. Amen.

            Help is on the way. When you’re in a difficult situation, those five words can make all the difference – help is on the way. When I was in college, I was involved in a pretty bad car accident. A vehicle crossed the center line and hit me head on. I wasn’t able to walk on my right leg for about 4 months after it was severely broken, but, luckily, I was fine. I remember not knowing what to do though – because of my leg, I couldn’t physically get out of the car. But someone came over to the car and told me “I’ve called 911, help is on the way.” The sound of those sirens was one of the most reassuring things I’ve ever heard.

December 10, 2023 - The Second Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

O come, O come, Emmanuel. Amen.

Who are our prophets? In other words, when there is a tough truth to be heard, who are we willing to listen to? As I said last Sunday, this Advent, the sermons are going to be based on the Collects for the season. Today, we heard “Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins.” It’s a deep and profound prayer, but one that is utterly useless if we’re not willing to receive feedback or correction.

December 3, 2023 - The First Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

O come, O come, Emmanuel. Amen.

            What are you waiting for? A follow-up appointment with the doctor where you will, hopefully, get some good news? A college acceptance letter? An estranged family member to make an apology? Some sort of decision to be made? Christmas morning to arrive so you can open presents? A permanent peace treaty between Israel and Palestine? An end to this sermon? We’re all waiting for something.