Fifth Day of Christmas
12/29/13 – Jonathan Chute – Christmas Reflection, Story and Poem
Sermon – Christmas Reflection, Story and Poem
John 1: 1-14. John 1:1-14 is one of the loveliest passages in all of scripture. Jonathan will share a reflection on the meaning of Christmas, a story and a Christmas poem. Sunday is the fifth day of Christmas, so it’s a chance to point out that the “five golden rings” of the 12 Days of Christmas are likely not jewelry at all, but “ring pheasants.”
Scripture – John 1: 1-14
Christmas Eve
12/24/13 – Jonathan Chute – “Small Change”
Sermon – Small Change
Luke 2: 1-20. In the gospel for Christmas Eve, Luke reminds us that the story takes place in the midst of other world events. From his throne in Rome, Caesar rules the Empire. But in Bethlehem an entirely different story is taking place. There at the manger, God enters the world in humility and weakness. At the time hardly anyone knew or noticed.
Scripture – Luke 2: 1-20
Fourth Sunday of Advent
12/22/13 – Jonathan Chute – “By the Book”
Sermon – By the Book
Matthew 1: 18-25. The text for today is the story of Jesus’ birth as seen through the eyes of Joseph. According to the law, Mary has commited adultery, and the punishment is public death by stoning. Instead, he plans just to end the relationship, but an angel comes to him in a dream and tells him to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus. This he does.
Scripture – Matthew 1: 18-25
Third Sunday of Advent
12/15/13 – Jonathan Chute – “Watching and Waiting”
Sermon – Watching and Waiting
Matthew 11: 2-11. On this, the Third Sunday of Advent, we learn that John the Baptist is in prison. He wants to know whether Jesus is really “the one who is to come,” or if his life and work have been in vain. He sends his disciples to Jesus, who points to the evidence of God’s activity in the world: “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.”
Scripture – Matthew 11: 2-11
Second Sunday of Advent
12/08/13 – Jonathan Chute – “The Gift of Peace”
Sermon – The Gift of Peace
Isaiah 11: 1-10. On this Second Sunday of Advent we hear Isaiah’s classic announcement of a future king from the house of David with whom genuine and lasting peace will break forth – not just among the nations of the earth, but throughout creation. Christians understand this promise of a truly righteous king to be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
Scripture – Isaiah 11: 1-10
First Sunday of Advent
12/01/13 – Jonathan Chute – “A New Day a-Comin’ “
Sermon – A New Day a-Comin’
Isaiah 2: 1-5. Our scripture is a word from the Prophet Isaiah. Although the northern kingdom of Israel had been conquered by the Assyrians, only Judah and Jerusalem, in the south, remained free, and more difficult days lie ahead, Isaiah invites the people to look even further beyond the horizon, where God is at work to bring about a new day for all people.
Scripture – Isaiah 2: 1-5
