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Stewardship Lessons for Christmas
The Nativity story offers many opportunities to preach on or discuss themes of stewardship. Check them out, from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. (Photo by brockvicky, used by Creative Commons license)
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
We’ve all done it — we weigh ourselves in late December and discover we’ve gained more weight than we wanted. Through parties and special holiday meals, overeating is a temptation. On this page from WebMD you’ll find links to a number of articles on how to eat more healthfully this Christmas. (Photo by Kris Krug, […]
10 ‘New’ Traditions for a Holy Christmas
Our culture gives us a lot of holiday traditions around Christmas, but many of them do not bring us closer to God or the miracle of the incarnation. This writer, a pastor, suggests adopting “new traditions” that will help you and your family have a holy holiday. From Pastors. com. (Photo by Picsbyclive, used by […]
Spiritual Practices for the 12 Days of Christmas
“What if we allowed the space from Christmas to Epiphany to be a time of sacred pause, a time to reflect on the year past, the present moment, and the possibilities held in the year to come,” asks Christine Valters Paintner in an essay posted on the Patheos website. Click here to join her in […]
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Lectionary Reflection for Christmas Eve 2011
How can we share the gift that keeps on giving in a way that honors the timelessness of the message but allows us to see, hear, and embody that message in a fresh way?
Giving That is Blessed, Indeed!
“IT’S PERSONAL” BLOG
What did Jesus mean when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? Is all giving covered? Paul, who quotes Jesus in Acts 20:35, gives us some important hits in the context. (“In Paris Texas” photo, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
‘The Perfect Gift’ for Anyone
IT’S PERSONAL BLOG
Stop driving yourself crazy looking for “the perfect gift” for someone who already has everything they need and want. Here is something perfect for everyone! (Photo by Deklofenak, via Big Stock Photo.)
Merry Christmas! What Now?
1st SUNDAY IN CHRISTMAS, Year A, Dec. 26, 2010
Christmas Day is almost over and the gospel text for tomorrow reminds us of this broken world’s painful reality. If you are still working on your sermon, perhaps you will find a word here along with an idea for your children’s time. Merry Christmas! (Photo by blacklord used under Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Let us go now to Bethlehem!
CHRISTMAS EVE, Year A, Dec. 24, 2010
Our job is to go to Bethlehem right here, right now, in whatever context we live and serve and tell the story of the Messiah’s birth. To do so, however, we first must plumb the depths of our own heart and allow Luke’s story to fill us with wonder and hope and awe, just like those first century shepherds. (Photo by allegri used under Creative Commons License. Thanks!)
So What? Now What? God’s What!
Lectionary Reflection: December 15, 2008
How can a tiny, ethnic refugee baby compete with all the trimmings of an American holiday?
