secretary Look at God! View in browser December 11, 2023 Look at God! Marilyn Pagán-Banks God has helped God’s own child, Israel, a memorial to God’s mercy, just as God said to our mothers and fathers, to [Hagar and] and Sarah and Abraham, to their descendants forever. – Luke 1:54–55 (as translated in A Women’s … Read more
Cry Out Like the Wilderness is Listening View in browser December 10, 2023 Cry Out Like the Wilderness is Listening Chris Mereschuk “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” – Luke 3:4b (NRSVUE) If a prophet cries out in the wilderness, … Read more
In the Meantime View in browser December 9, 2023 In the Meantime Kenneth L. Samuel While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “Don’t be afraid Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.” – Luke 1:11–13 (NLT, adapted) Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were no … Read more
Secret Places View in browser December 8, 2023 Secret Places Donna Schaper And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. – Isaiah 45:3 (KJV) A friend of … Read more
So Far View in browser December 7, 2023 So Far Mary Luti “Watchman, how much longer the night?” The watchman replies, “Morning has come, and again night.” – Isaiah 21:11-12 (NABRE) One summer, my parents loaded four kids under ten into a station wagon for a cross-country camping trip. What could go wrong? … Read more
Holy Desperation View in browser December 6, 2023 Holy Desperation Vicki Kemper The poor and homeless are desperate for water, their tongues parched and no water to be found. But I’m there to be found, I’m there for them, and I will not leave them thirsty. I’ll open up rivers for them on the … Read more
Rich Blessings View in browser December 5, 2023 Rich Blessings Ann Kansfield You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked you for life; you gave it to … Read more
Fear’s Other View in browser December 4, 2023 Fear’s Other Kaji Douša Do not fear, woman, for you will not be ashamed woman; do not feel humiliated woman for you will not be disgraced woman. For the shame of your youth woman, you will forget woman, and the stigma of your widowhood, woman, you … Read more
Level View in browser December 3, 2023 Level Quinn G. Caldwell Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. – Isaiah 40:4–5 (NRSV, adapted) I don’t know much about what it’s like to move through an unlit world. … Read more
The Eve of Preparation View in browser December 2, 2023 The Eve of Preparation Talitha Arnold Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. – Psalm 80:7 (NRSV) “Let your face shine, that we may be saved.” What a great line for the Eve of Advent. … Read more