This devotional was adapted from a service that Mari wrote in 2023, created to honor the thrum of sorrow and loss that undulates beneath the largely cheerful Christmas songs sung throughout November and December.
“Happy Holidays”
Tomorrow many of us will be sitting at a table laden with traditional Thanksgiving foods and offering up ways we are grateful. Perhaps it is only one thing we can be thankful for, perhaps many. But, some of us will not have a place to go, or a table spread for us.
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“Songs for a Savior” Advent Devotions
Advent comes right after Thanksgiving! This new Advent Devotional will begin the end of next week, and is written in an "evergreen" way, so that it may be reread each Christmas season.
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HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Virgin Mary
As the most written about woman in the whole Bible, what is your impression of Mary? There are thousands upon thousands of images of her, the beatific and holy Madonna, mother and child, otherworldly in her serenity; and the grieving mother holding her crucified son, again beatific, serene, otherworldly.We might get the impression that as … Continue reading HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Virgin Mary
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HER STORY: Birth of Christ, Elizabeth
What fascinated Luke, the scientist and doctor, was Jesus’ special emphasis on prayer, the activity of the Holy Spirit, and joyfulness and in his account of Jesus’ birth he highlighted the Holy Spirit’s activity in the lives of five people in these first two chapters. Luke’s chronicle of Jesus’ life is the longest of the … Continue reading HER STORY: Birth of Christ, Elizabeth
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HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Candle of Joy
Have you ever wondered why the third candle in the advent wreath is pink? Why pink? Why the third Sunday? The short answer is joy! But the long answer is fascinating, and it has something to do with Lent, and something to do with an early Gnostic movement that dismissed Jesus as a real human … Continue reading HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Candle of Joy
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Advent Meditation: Prince of Peace
The word “blessed” meant “divine joy and perfect happiness.”
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Advent Meditation: Meek and Lowly
Paul described meekness has having the same mind as Christ, looking to the interests of those around us, and in humility regarding others as going before us in importance.
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Advent Meditation: Anointed One
Mary had towering faith in the power, provision, and promise of Almighty God. This was a time to rejoice and sing praise.
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Advent Meditation: Lord of Lords
Mary received Gabriel’s message with humble, willing faith in God, and indeed, she was among the first to see God in the flesh.
