In the December 2018 issue of The Lutheran Witness, an official publication of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, a title of one of the articles really grabbed my attention: “When Jesus Ruins Christmas.” It begins, “Up against the glorious reality of Christ’s incarnation, a ‘holly jolly Christmas’ loses all it’s...
(Continued from last month) Then Jesus rises from prayer in Gethsemane and awakens his disciples to face his destiny. “Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is explained by his lonely cry at Golgotha: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” recalling the...
This year Ash Wednesday happens to fall on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. And if that isn’t awkward enough, Easter Sunday is on April 1st, April Fools’ Day! The last time this happened was in 1945. The next time it happens will be in the year 2029. So, I think I’ll...
This past Sunday, a week after Easter, we returned to our annual visit with the “Doubting Thomas” and the other disciples in the Gospel Lesson for the day. You know it well, I’m sure. Thomas said that he would not believe that Jesus rose from the dead without visible proof...
There are many symbols around the Easter celebration from Easter eggs and hot cross buns to Easter lilies and Spring flowers, and even the Easter bunny. Some are very helpful in the celebration of the new life in our risen Lord Jesus, while others may be a little confusing (like...