This past Summer in our study of Genesis 1-11, we saw how the Old Testament contains several different creation stories (Comparison of Creation Texts). The best-known stories, of God’s speaking the universe into existence over six days in Genesis 1 and the story of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2-3, appear to be relatively … Continue reading A New Creation Story: A Reflection on John 1.1-18
When I was a kid, my church’s focused time for children on Christmas Eve was always framed as “Baby Jesus’ Birthday Party.” It was always a lot of fun, and probably a good way to wrangle a bunch of excited kids with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. But, as I grew older, I … Continue reading Unto Us A Child is Born: A Reflection for Christmas 2024
[Note: Some churches (including my own) replace the readings for Christmas 1 with those for Epiphany, but I’m not ready to leave Christmas behind just yet — Epiphany isn’t for another six days! — so I’m sticking with the Christmas 1 readings. If you’d like an Epiphany-focused reflection today, feel free to check out here … Continue reading Turning Point: A Reflection on Luke 2.22-41
The message of Christmas is that God is with us -- all of us.
Today is a day that goes by many names. It is, of course, New Year’s Day. It is also ‘January 1, 2023’, and a ‘Sunday.’ In medieval Europe, it was called ‘the Feast of Fools.’ In Roman Catholic circles, today can be called ‘the Solemnity of Mary’, and in the Eastern Church it’s the Feast … Continue reading A Holy Name: A Reflection for The Feast of the Naming of Jesus and New Year’s Day 2023
Matthew Root 