What is the first image that comes to your mind when you think of the Christmas story? Maybe it’s the stable, with Mary, Joseph, then of course Jesus in the manger, with ox and donkey and adoring shepherds beholding this miracle. A rather quiet and peaceful scene. And many of our favorite Christmas carols reflect […]

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I love Advent. I love this time of anticipation and mystery, this time of waiting and hope. Not all is well in the world, but God is there, Immanuel, to guide us through the mess of our lives. And each Advent, I look forward to hearing the voice of one whose life is about as […]

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Rejoice or Repent? Sermon Luke 3:7-18 3rd Advent December 12th, 2021 Today I want to talk about one of the most beloved figures of the Christmas season – and, no, I am not talking about Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty. I am talking about angels. We see angels on Christmas cards, as decorations, and ornaments. And […]

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  The gospel according to Luke is the only gospel that starts with an extensive narrative about John the Baptist’s conception and birth (maybe it can be viewed as a ‘prequel’ to the story of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth). The first people we hear about (after some general introductory notes) are Zechariah and Elizabeth, […]

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    The end is near!   This is not necessarily a message we expect or want to hear during this time of year. The world around us is already in full Christmas holiday mode. Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty have begun their perennial rule.   Now as people of the church we might know that […]

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  The month of November always reminds me of endings. According to the church calendar, yet another year comes to a close, and we begin a new church year with the season of Advent – I know this is quite counter-cultural and not how the world at large looks at the calendar. But even our […]

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    “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”   What images come to your mind when you hear these words?   Maybe images of the World Trade Center, tumbling after the horrendous terrorist attacks. Maybe images of the 1906 or 1989 earthquakes here in San Francisco. Maybe […]

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  As you may know, I am currently interviewing for a positions in New York City. The most intense interview process so far involved three talks with members of the call committee of a certain congregation. Now what struck me that, during each of these conversations, I was asked, ‘Do you believe politics belong in […]

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