by Pastor Steve | Jan 5, 2018 | Christmas
“In the hopeless time of sin, shadows deep had fallen. All the world lay under death. Eyes were closed in sleeping. But, when all seemed lost in night, came the sun whose golden light brings unending joy, brings the endless joy of our hope, highest hope, of our...
by Pastor Steve | Dec 4, 2017 | Christmas, Reflections
This time of year brings forward the concept of wants vs. needs. I remember as a child when the Sears Christmas catalog would arrive and I’m pretty sure I wanted just about everything in that catalog. I would look through the pages over and over to make sure I didn’t...
by Pastor Steve | Nov 30, 2015 | Christmas
As the dark awaits the dawn, so we await your light. O star of promise, scatter night, loving bright, loving bright, till shades of fear are gone. -ELW 261 “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” -Yoda...
by Bethesda Lutheran Church | Jan 8, 2014 | Christmas
This is too much work; I’m too old; I’m tired; it’s too close to Christmas. All the reasons why I told myself I shouldn’t be working on the Giving Tree. Then came Friday, the day of distribution/delivery. The first person who walked through the door looked at all the...
by Pastor Tom | Dec 12, 2012 | Christmas
JESUS: BORN TO MARY, BUT BORN UNDER WHAT? Most of us are pretty clear Jesus was born TO Mary. Most of us are pretty certain Jesus was born IN a stable or barn or cave. But under WHAT was Jesus born? Born under a bad sign, a ceiling, or the Star of Bethlehem are not...
by Pastor Tom | Dec 4, 2012 | Christmas
A recent conversation with friends left me thinking about a difference between how my son Ezra and I encounter the world. I approach my day; Ezra receives the day. I make decisions about how to prioritize and spend my time, whether at work or at home. When I have...
