Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! Like so many other people I know, I’ve been sick this week–but thankfully it’s nothing severe. I’m on the mend and looking forward to upcoming times of worship and with family. Also the pumpkin pie. For any of you who don’t have a community to worship with this weekend, you are…
To the tune of Hyfrydol (“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”); also works with Beach Spring and JeffersonBy Joanna Harader (2022) Through the line of Joseph, Mary,Tamar, Judah, Rahab, Ruth,Comes a savior for the nations,born Messiah of humble birth.God’s eternal presence with usThrough the ages grace imparts.Holy power in fragile infantResting in his parents’ hearts. Mary welcomes…
(Luke 2:1-20) It is a story most of us know well: The woman and man traveling to his hometown for a census. The baby born, wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger. Casual observers would know nothing about the angel who visited Mary or the agony Joseph had gone through when he learned his…
We are in the midst of the 12 days of Christmas, which begin on Christmas day and end with Epiphany (January 6). Here is a new version of the famous song for all of my clergy colleagues trying to get a little rest and then lead God’s people into a new year. (Fortunately, this is…
This post by Caitlin Desjardins was originally published on December 24, 2014. “She gave birth to her firstborn, a son; she put him in a simple cloth wrapped like a receiving blanket, and laid him in a feeding trough for cattle, because there was no room for them at the inn.” Luke 2:7, The Inclusive…
The song below was written by Susan Gascho-Cooke, who serves as pastor at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster. You can hear an audio version here. Snow Falling Down on Bethlehem written in December, 2013 chorus: snow falling down on brown skin snow falling down on Bethlehem snow falling down on a traveling family snow falling…
My oldest two children came into our family as a foster-to-adopt placement. We were told that their biological dad was not in the picture and mom would not be able to get custody. They were foster children that would be available for adoption soon. James was three and a half. Jasmine had just turned two.…
This post by Melanie Zuercher was originally published on December 15, 2014. Melanie lives in Newton, Kansas. She is a member of Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton and works at Bethel College in North Newton. – – – – – – Confession: Christmas is not my favorite time of the year. Was it ever? Maybe…
This reflection on I Thessalonians 5:16-24 was written by Samuel Voth Schrag and originally published on December 17, 2014. Samuel lives in Arlington, Texas, with his wife Rachel and children Jonah and Hannah. He served as pastor of the St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship from 2007-2017. Christmas is a season of lists- Santa has a list…
I’m memorizing Luke 2:1-16 for our Christmas Eve service. Maybe that sounds impressive, but the truth is I know most of it already: “In those days, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. . . .” It’s a familiar story. Comfortable language. A rhythm and a cadence that’s…
Spacious Faith 