As many of you know, when I was younger, I spent about 15 years in Messianic Judaism, a Christian movement that emphasized the Jewish roots of the faith. This means that we worshipped on Friday night or Saturday, our liturgy was centered on the annual cycle of reading the Torah, and our calendar was based…
Text: John 1:1-17 Christmas is absolutely my favorite time of year. I love the colder weather and the opportunity to dust off my felt hats and long coat. I love the seasonal food. I love the Victorian cultural ethos that often goes with Christmas in the English-Speaking world. I love the last vestiges of our…
A discussion of the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and the Grace from Morning Prayer, a Summary review of using Morning Prayer in devotions, and the Family Prayer morning section from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
Text: Romans 15:4-13 Today, the Second Sunday in Advent, is often called “Bible Sunday” in Anglican circles due to the theme articulated in our Collect (page 92 in the Prayer Book): Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read,…
Texts: Romans 13:8ff, Matthew 21:1ff In this part of Texas, by the time we get to the first Sunday in December, most of our neighbors are in full Christmas mode. Lights and trees are up, the airwaves are full of new and old covers of Christmas carols, and we’ve all put on about five pounds!…
Text: Jeremiah 23:5-9, 29:4-7 Today is the “Sunday Next Before Advent,” which is often informally called “Stir Up Sunday” in Anglican circles. The most obvious reason for this is today’s Collect, which begins with the phrase, “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people.” But in England and some of…