December 31, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Names

Our name is the only thing we have when we come into this world and the only thing we take with us when we leave this world.  In some cultures names are given by others as representative of who we really are or of some significant event that defines us – think Dances With Wolves.  Some names have deep family roots – a former parishioner comes from a family where all male children are named Charles.  And in some cultures a name was a secret to be kept because it was believed that knowing a person’s name gave you power over them.

Names play an important part in Scripture.  It was Adam who named all the animals and Eve.  God changed Abram and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah.  Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.  Moses was so named because it means “to draw out,” as he was drawn out of the water by Pharaoh’s daughter.  Jesus means “Savior” or “Deliverer” in Hebrew.  Saul, the persecutor of the Church, became the evangelist Paul. 

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Name.  Tomorrow is the Eighth Day of Christmas, and it was on the eighth day that Jewish boys were circumcised and named.  And it was on the “eighth day,” the Day of Resurrection, when Jesus’ full divinity shown forth to the disciples.

The Wednesday Night BBQ resumes tonight and we will be talking names.  What is the meaning of your name?  Does a certain name inform your life?  What do you think the importance of names are?  These and other questions will be looked at on this Eve of the Holy Name.  I hope you can join us; and if you can’t, I hope you spend some time pondering names on the Eighth Day of Christmas.

Merry Christmas,

December 24, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Christmas

No matter what the calendar says, it certainly doesn’t feel like Christmas – especially with temperatures running in the mid-50’s.  It may not look like a Currier & Ives postcard out there, but it’s still Christmas.

Members of the Altar Guild came in Monday to clean, polish, and set up for our Christmas services.  It may not look like Christmas outside, but it sure looks like Christmas inside the church.  And on Monday evening before I left the office for the day, I went into the church, turned on one solitary light, stood at the back, and appreciated the quiet beauty of it all.

Today is Christmas Eve.  The reality of the events we will celebrate this evening was far from peaceful.  There was no silent night.  There were no peaceful manger scenes.  There were no people gathered in a respectful awe.  Instead, there was a birth (which is anything but quiet), the scent of animals filling the air, and a bunch of shepherd showing up unexpectedly.

Be that as it may, I kind of prefer what we have turned this coming night into.  Because, while not historically accurate, it does give us a sense of God with us in chaotic times.  So wherever and however you spend tonight, I hope it fills you with the peace of Christ and love of God.

Merry Christmas,

December 17, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Worship

For all the Advent talk about slowing down, focusing, and breathing in an effort to appreciate the season of Advent, as well as bringing more meaning to the season of Christmas, we (I?) sure have a hard time making that happen.  Between shopping for Christmas gifts, decorating the house, planning or attending parties, writing Christmas cards, and mailing said presents and cards so they arrive “in time,” we can often forget what Advent is calling us to do.

With all of these activities and expectations, it’s easy for us to get caught up in the busy-ness or the doing of what seems to be expected.  We need to find time, especially during this season, to make space for simply being.

This is but one reason why our Sunday worship is vital to our health.  Our worship can be a calming presence in life.  It can be a place where we come to reset the rhythms of our life.  It can be a place where we find both solace and strength.  It is a place where we receive both pardon and renewal.  It is a place where we can slow down, breathe, and simply BE in the holy presence of God.

No matter how busy this season of slowing down seems to be, I invite you to make the necessary and intentional time to come worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.  And while you are in the holy presence of God, allow the Holy Spirit to reset the rhythm of your life and help redefine what is important.

Blessings,

December 10, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Joy

This coming Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent.  It is known as Gaudete Sunday, which is a Latin word meaning Rejoice.  The color of Advent is traditionally purple because it was seen as a penitential season similar to Lent – as Lent was the season of preparation for Christ’s resurrection, Advent was the season of preparation for Christ’s birth.  That penitential tone was broken up on the third Sunday when a pink/rose candle was lighted and some churches would use rose-colored vestments and hangings.  Many churches have recently switched to blue for Advent as a way to more overtly honor the role of Mary.

Regardless of whether a church uses blue or purple, the Third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy.  And in our readings this week we have Isaiah proclaiming the blind shall see, the deaf hear, the lame shall leap like a deer, and the mute will sing for joy.  Our Psalm speaks of justice for the oppressed, food for the hungry, and orphans, widows, and strangers will be cared for.  Jesus tells people this is the time the blind see, the deaf hear, lepers are cleansed, and the dead are raised.

The joy of this Sunday shouldn’t only be reflected in scriptural readings and worship.  The joy of this Sunday should be a goal to which we aspire – we should be working for justice, healing, and wholeness to bring joy to those around us.

Our job is to proclaim the love of God and extend hope to all people.  By working to live into that vision we will be working to bring a bit of joy into the world.

Blessings, 

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