So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been to

Isaiah 9: 2-7 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You h

2 Samuel 7: 18, 23-29

If, like me, you grew up evangelical in the 90’s, you’re probably familiar with the CCM holiday hit “Mary Did You Know?” Even if you weren’t

Isaiah 7:10-16 

A Reflection for Saturday, December 20 by Rev. Dr. Laura Truax Lectionary reading for 12/20/2025: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:23-29; John 3:31-36;  Selected passage for reflection: John 3:25 – 26, 31-32 Read John 3:25 – 26, 31-32 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about

A Reflection for Friday, December 19 by Jeanne Barnes Lectionary reading for 12/19/2025: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; 2Samuel 7:18-22; Galatians 1:1-7 ; Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 (NRSV) Read Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 (NRSV) Give ear, O shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that

A Reflection for Thursday, December 18 by Rev. Pamela Hogewoning Lectionary reading for 12/18/2025: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Galatians 3:23-29; Selected passage for reflection: Galatians 3.23-29  Read Galatians 3:23-29 NLT Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.  Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Chris

Imagine yourself in Matthew 8:14-17: “When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him.  That evening, they brought to him many who were possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick.  This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

“Don’t you be surprised…they said that this would happen.” Jude, one of the Lord’s half-brothers, wrote this to believers to help them be discerning and cautious in the Sitz im Leben (social and cultural context) in which they were living. In verses 17 - 19, Jude points out the ways deception and chaos were running rampant: he saw it happening live and in living color. About six decades after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, folks had lost sight of the tru

There was a time in my life when I despaired. A loved one was in serious trouble. Each day felt uncertain, each hour changeable. Tears were the most consistent thing of the day. Tears were like my food, day and night. I was like that deer, aching for the presence of God. I was almost out of breath with longing to know that God was near and that I was not alone; a primal longing for the God of the universe to be close to me in my grief. I knew God was with me and with us. But

Mary’s song occurs after Mary is not only told that she will become pregnant with Jesus, but also after she has visited Elizabeth. Mary is taking time to praise God for what God has done not only for her but for His people. This sweet girl has just been told that she will give birth to the Messiah, and instead of becoming filled with pride or ego, she is humbled.  She takes time to praise God.  In a moment when Elizabeth is spotlighting her and the favor she has found, Mary t

As you read and reflect on Psalm 146 how might you be invited by the Spirit to write this Psalm in your own words? What would it look like

Sometimes I try to look back and reflect on when I first felt like chaos was winning. I remember at the end of 2016, someone said that nothi

The story of Naomi and Ruth is compelling. After uprooting her entire life, Naomi, her husband, and her two sons move from Bethlehem to Moab. Upon arriving in Moab, they settle into a new life—Elimelech finds wives for his sons, and they marry. Just when it seems that a new life is emerging, Elimelech and Naomi’s two sons die. At the beginning of Ruth 1:6, we find Naomi and her two daughters-in-law alone. When Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, her daughters-in-law beg to

Genesis 15:1-18 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”...Abraham and Sarah were old by this point. It had been years since God called them away from their home in Haran. They'd traveled far; they accumulated great wealth. Life was good. But som

God promises that when the poor and needy are in need, and if there are no abundant resources to provide, God will intervene and provide, and not forsake them. Surely this message of God’s power and provision shows us that God cares for the poor and the needy and would restore a balance of resources.

Having watched a live-streamed genocide carried out by those who believe themselves chosen by God, who quote their scriptures to back them up, and who invoke a divine mandate as they raze whole communities to the ground. It's now impossible for me to read the scriptures in the way I used to read them. God on our side. God will lay waste to our enemies. God will give us the land. Now I understand these sentiments roll off the tongue of the oppressed in a different way than the

A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent by Pastor Corenna Rae Lectionary reading for 12/07/2025: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12    Selected passage for reflection: Isaiah 11:1-10 Read Isaiah 11:1-10 CEB 1 A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;     a branch will sprout from his roots. 2 The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,     a spirit of wisdom and understanding,     a spirit of planning and strength,     a spirit of knowledge

Isaiah 40:1-11--Today I invite you to read this passage of scripture slowly and aloud and in small sections.  Perhaps you can imagine yourself in the place of the author. Imagine yourself sitting somewhere with a pen and parchment, and you and God having this conversation. Perhaps you even write this passage of scripture by hand and then read it aloud.