SERMONS

So many times when we tell the Nativity story, Joseph becomes a background character, an NPC, this old man standing off to the side.  He's probably the most overlooked character in the whole story! But when the Almighty and Everlasting God chose to enter his creation, he chose to have a father. And Joseph is the man whom God chose to raise him, to protect him, to guard him, to teach him and hold him in his arms as a child. That’s astounding. Think about it! God chose Joseph t

Let me set the scene: You're ready for Christmas. Your lights are on outside. The presents are bought and wrapped, the cookies are baked, the Family Christmas Letter is written, copied, stuffed, sealed and mailed. Best of all, your tree is up. If you’ve got a real tree, it’s actually straight this year. And if it’s an artificial tree, this year it looks great—better than ever. It is decorated to absolute perfection. You sit down in your most comfortable chair with a mug of

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! You’ve celebrated with your family and friends, or maybe you’re about to. Either way, welcome! The “holiday season” is starting.  Everything in here looks lovely, with the return of the Advent array. Things feel festive. Even the imagery from the readings is familiar: beating swords into ploughshares, peace between nations, putting on the armor of light…. ...Until I read that passage from Matthew. That’s about the most unexpected, un-holiday, un-fe