As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany on January 6—an annual reminder of light breaking into the world—and the sacrament of baptisms this Sunday, we find ourselves in a season of joy and hope. Yet, scripture and current events also call us to acknowledge the shadows of darkness that persist around us. Matthew 2:1-12 gives…

This Sunday we will gather for the first Sunday of Christmastide. The lectionary will focus our attention on the incarnation, the truth that Christmas announces each year. We need the reminder because, as we all know, it’s easy to get distracted this time of year. The parties, the decorations, the presents: Sensory overload can numb…

Several churches in the Anglican Mission to America have developed Advent Guides. Check out these resources. Advent: A Season of Hope  All Saints Dallas Prayers and Practices for Advent & Christmas Year C    St. Andrew’s Little Rock Advent Calendar St. Andrew’s Little Rock Also widely used is the Advent Project from the Biola University…

During Advent we wait. And dare to hope. We allow the space for mystery and unanswered questions while choosing to trust that the new creation is coming. And as we feel the pangs of labor and wonder “How long, oh Lord?” we know we are ultimately held by the one who knit us together and chose to be knit together like us.

Longing and joy, reality and hope, today and tomorrow are held together here in Advent.

It’s not mentioned in Scripture. Its name is absent from the Book of Common Prayer. But the purpose of Ordinary Time is woven throughout both. And, though this time is labeled “ordinary,” it’s far from unimportant. Ordinary Time is comprised of two periods in the liturgical year that stretch between the Christmas and Easter cycles.…

“If we are going to live out of a heart of rest, we must make the fundamental faith decision that no matter how deep or urgent the need is, it is ultimately not all up to us,” writes Sally Breedlove in Choosing Rest. “As we rest in this fundamental reality, the stress of what we…

I’ll be honest: I’ve never been a big fan of Lent. Before I got sick, Lent often felt superficial. Yes, I sometimes gave up sugar or TV or social media, and since these things distracted me from listening to God and were generally unhealthy, that felt right and good. And yes, I sometimes took up…

Today, there are more than 110 international armed conflicts that are regularly monitored: more than 45 armed conflicts in the Middle East and Northern Africa, more than 35 armed conflicts across Africa, 21 armed conflicts in Asia, seven armed conflicts across Europe and six armed conflicts throughout Latin America. Some belong to recent history while…