The Baptism of Our Lord 2023

in

When the Scriptures describe us as being in bondage to sin, it certainly includes the sins we commit - the twisted lusts within us and the things we do contrary to the commandments. But often the sins committed against us also hold us in bondage: when someone betrays us, when a friend you trusted doesn’t keep his word or is working against you. Perhaps you remember a cutting remark spoken against you even decades ago, but still it lingers in the mind, making you bitter, cynical. And so it’s not only the sins that we have committed, but also the sins committed against us, that need to be dealt with.

We would like justice. We want things put right. And sometimes, we want more than justice: we want revenge. For the person whose betrayal still stings, misfortune upon them would, we imagine, taste sweet to us….

Read More

The Epiphany of Our Lord 2023

in

In the days of Herod the king, men asked, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews?”

A dangerous question! Herod was notoriously paranoid, and notoriously ruthless. He eliminated anyone he perceived a threat. This included several sons. To call Herod “troubled” at this news is a masterclass in understatement…

Read More

The Circumcision and Name of JESUS 2023

in

Doubtless you’ve heard the myth—and it is most certainly a myth—that the Christian holy days were borrowed from older pagan festivals. You do find this kind of thing in Latin America, where Roman Catholic missionaries renamed local deities as Mary or one of the saints, so the people continued to worship the same statues but with new names. It’s called christopaganism. But that all happened much later. I’m talking about the origins of Christianity.

Jesus probably was born on December 25, or a day close to it. But today, January 1, was a day the early Christians resisted celebrating. That’s because New Year’s Day was “kept with great riot and licence by the pagans” …

Read More

Best Music of 2022

in

Here’s my personal list of the top new music releases in 2022 in the genres to which I pay the most attention….

Read More

The Dogmas of Emperors

in

World power makes audacious claims. The power to tax and make war.

“A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered,” which is to say, taxed. The word for decree here is δόγμα – a dogma went out from the Emperor who styled himself Augustus, “the exalted one.” These are the audacious claims of world power. The exalted ones issue dogmas, and the little ones obey.

The dogmas of today have us racing, chasing tinsel as worthless as FTX crypto. The dogmas of world power demand we find satisfaction in a moment of purchase, pleasure in a hit of Soma or a night at the Feelies. The dogmas of world power declare blue is pink and always has been….

Read More

Blue Christmas?

in

A new version of “Blue Christmas” hit the charts this month, sixty-five years after Elvis Presley’s popular rendition. Christmas is blue (the idea goes) when we are without the person we love. “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.”

Some churches now offer “Blue Christmas” services. One church advertised their service like this: “a space for those not feeling so merry & bright during the holidays.” The church offers “a space where you can be still and quiet and not have to pretend to be jolly.”

It’s well meaning, responding to the cultural demand we put on a veneer of gaiety. Happy holidays! And if they’re not happy for you, at least pretend.

The assumption is that the big Christmas service—which here at Immanuel is this one—is merry and bright and doesn’t really offer anything for the losers: the people whose lives are difficult, and lonely, and painful.

But that’s not Christmas. Christmas is for losers….

Read More

Advent Midweek Sermon: Saint Thomas the Apostle

in

“We have seen the Lord.” Thomas doesn’t believe it.

It’s hard to blame him. The dead remain in their tombs.

Jesus heard Thomas’ words: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Jesus repeats Thomas’ words back to him: “Put out your finger, and see the wounds; thrust your hand into My side.” And Thomas confesses: “My Lord and my God!”

That confession is Christianity: God is in the manger; God is on the cross. God was made man in Mary’s womb. The God-man died and was laid in a tomb….

Read More