Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Church Year

The Presentation of Jesus — Luke 2:22-40

December 21, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

On the First Sunday after Christmas, the Revised Common Lectionary offers us the text known as “The Presentation of Jesus.” It’s Luke 2:22-40 and comes in four distinct scenes. The Presentation The scene is set for the Presentation with references to the Holy Family and the law of God. We tend to picture just three […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: First Sunday after Christmas, Luke 2:22-40, RCL Year B, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The Annunciation — Luke 1:26-38 on Advent 3

December 15, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

the annunciation

On the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary gives us Luke 1:26-38. It is the story of “the Annunciation,” nine months before Christmas. But we are in December, chronologically only a week-and-a-half before Mary will give birth. It’s all good. Advent is an excellent time to think about the promise […]

Filed Under: Bible, Calvin, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: Advent 3, Luke 1:26-38, RCL Year B, The Annunciation

Not the Light — John 1:6-8, 19-28

December 7, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

not the light

The discussion of John the Baptist as “not the light” but rather “a witness to testify to the light” is missing its context. In year C, the Gospel for the third Sunday of Advent is John 1:6-8 and 19-28, the parts of Gospel’s prologue about John the Baptist, and leaving out the parts directly about […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation Tagged With: John 6:1-8 19-28, John the Baptist

The Zoom Christmas Pageant!

December 3, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Zoom Christmas pageant

Okay, it’s December. It’s Advent. Christmas is coming. But it’s also a pandemic, and church is back to being online, not in person. How are we going to have a Christmas pageant? It’s time for the Zoom Christmas Pageant! The Zoom Christmas Pageant! A few years back I wrote a Christmas play. Better to say […]

Filed Under: Bible, books, Church Year, Worship Tagged With: Christmas pageant, Christmas Play, Zoom Christmas Pageant

Monday Meditation: RCL Year A, Trinity, Matthew 28:16-20

June 4, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

The Sunday after Pentecost is called “Trinity Sunday” in the West. If you frequent Orthodox churches you will know that pretty much every Sunday (really every single service in the year) is about the Holy Trinity. In the West we tend to need the annual reminder of the nature of the God we worship — […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation, Theology Tagged With: Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20, RCL Year A, Trinity Sunday

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

Recent Posts

  • The Presentation of Jesus — Luke 2:22-40
  • The Annunciation — Luke 1:26-38 on Advent 3
  • Not the Light — John 1:6-8, 19-28
  • The Zoom Christmas Pageant!
  • The Wedding Banquet — Matthew 22:1-14

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