RCL reflection for the First Sunday after Christmas, Year C. Dec. 29, 2024. For this Sunday, savor the Christmas season and celebrate how Jesus and Samuel were both nurtured in the faith from a young age. Lift up how we can grow in the faith and wisdom in 2025. Pastor Sharron Blezard explores. (Photo: Brandon Atkinson, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 1st Sunday after Christmas, Year B, December 27, 2020
Christians can recognize the inner child, the child that has been redeemed and welcomed into God’s family as full participants, with all the rights, privileges, and promises of the Christ. We are not temporary members of God’s family but rather real children, adopted in love. (Photo: barnimages, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 19, 2019
The way of Jesus is the way of love AND the way of breaking down barriers and drawing wider circles of inclusion. This kind of real, radical, big love changes things. It’s the key that opens minds, the warmth that softens hard hearts, the light that illumines the dark places, and the hammer that takes down walls. (Photo: Steven Lilley, Creative Commons)
RCL Reflection, First Sunday after Christmas, Year C, Dec. 30, 2018
Chances are the children in your congregation took part in Christmas Eve pageants, programs, and worship services. Please don’t stop there. Let’s be good stewards and nurture the faith and gifts of the children in our midst. It will be good for them and for the health and future of God’s church. (Photo: David Kutz)
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year B, December 31, 2017
While many folks are already packing away the Christmas decorations, returning the unwanted or ill-fitting gifts to retailers, and moving on with life as usual, we who bear Christ’s name and family connection keep on singing the carols, continuing to tell the old, old story, and gladly holding out our empty hands for the crumb of bread and sip of wine that contains the Savior of the world. How will you continue to steward and savor the good news and joy this week? (Photo: sblezard, Creative Commons)
First Sunday of Christmas Year A, January 1, 2017
How quickly we move from the celebration and joy of Christmas day to the reality of the world’s brokenness. Yes, it’s a delicate dance between lament and hope, but Christmas isn’t nearly over yet, and we trust that the arc of justice does bend and find fulfillment in Christ. (Photo: semelina, Creative Commons)
Lectionary Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 24, 2016
Tired of the same old thing? Not to worry; this is the day to bring on that which is new! After all, everyone can benefit from a little something new, a fresh dose of hope, and a fresh perspective on our ordinary, workaday lives. This Sunday to celebrate the joy of “new.” You have options! (Photo: Pilottage, Creative Commons)
Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year C December 27, 2015 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 This Sunday we’ll be only two days out from celebrating Christmas Day in all its […]
Lectionary Reflection for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year B, December 28, 2014
Perhaps today’s ordinary yet extraordinary story from the scant reporting of Jesus’ childhood is a reminder to us that even in the midst of the ordinary, as Christians we are marked by the extraordinary love and mercy of the Creator of the Cosmos. We dare not forget this fact, even as we work, play, love, eat, and grow. (Photo: Derry Oates, Creative Commons License)
First Sunday of Christmas, Year A, Lectionary Reflection
December 29, 2013
The gospel lesson this week is a particularly tough one coming on the heels of the Christmas story. However, it is one that we should not ignore because it says something critically important about the reality of life and our utter dependence on Jesus, God Incarnate. (Photo: mararie, Creative Commons)
