Preface for Pastors and Parents We are coming up on the 3rd Sunday in Advent so I bring you a children’s sermon on John 1:6-8, 19-28. In the logic of the lectionary Advent 3 is always about John the Baptist, though our Advent wreaths always have a pink candle this week for Mary’s joy. (Years […]
A Children’s Sermon on Mark 1:1-8 — Advent 2
Preface for Pastors and Parents This Sunday is Advent 2 of Lectionary Year B, so I bring you a children’s sermon on Mark 1:1-8. I have long thought that it’s a cool text—at least ever since I started taking Mark’s Gospel more seriously. That was a change for me, sparked by a great theatrical performance. […]
Not the Light — John 1:6-8, 19-28
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 B, 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 […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year A, Advent 2, Matthew 3:1-12
Locusts & Honey. Mmm… It’s easy to get sidetracked by the odd details about John the Baptist: He wore that stylish camel’s hair jacket with a nice leather belt. And he ate a high protein diet featuring insects — and like the kid’s poem about keeping peas on one’s knife, John improved their taste with […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year C, Advent 3, Luke 3:7-18
On the third Sunday of Advent in Year C, the lectionary continues Luke’s telling of the story of John the Baptist’s ministry. That’s right: a month into the period where every store and many a radio station plays nothing but Christmas carols, the Church steadfastly resists. No baby in Bethlehem just yet. We wait, on […]