In the history of theology, there have been many issues which for those who are not “professional” theologians seem rather abstract. I know that there are times when I drive my wife crazy talking about some minutia of theological detail which has no connection to her world as a pre-school teacher, and she has never had a taste for the kind of hypothetical speculation which makes systematic theologians so excited. She is, however, very patient and tolerant, and I can even get her to do final proof-reading of manuscripts … [Read more...] about Theotokos – Mary as the Mother of God. An Advent Devotional
Advent
Advent: Christ in Our Context
“ ‘Come thou now thyself, Sovran of Heaven! bring us salvation, weary thralls oppressed, worn out with weeping, with bitter burning tears. With thee alone resteth their cure for those in direst need. Visit us here, captives so sad of mood, nor leave behind thee, when thou turn'st from hence, so great a throng! But royally show forth thy mercy to us, O Saviour Christ! - Cynewulf's Christ (eighth century) Reflection In the corner of the South where I live, Jesus is contextualized everywhere. … [Read more...] about Advent: Christ in Our Context
Scholar’s Compass: Learning From Father Christmas
In today's Advent post, David Russell Mosley reflects on the figure of Father Christmas. Drawing on Tolkien's argument in On Fairy Stories, that fairy tales and mythical figures point beyond themselves to the truth of the Gospel, Mosley describes how he sees the Good News in Father Christmas. David will share more about Faerie and the Gospel in future Scholar's Compass posts. Quotation Some of the pictures of Father Christmas in our world make him look only funny and jolly. But now that the children actually stood … [Read more...] about Scholar’s Compass: Learning From Father Christmas
Advent: The New Year Begins (Scholar’s Compass)
Reading Collect for the First Sunday of Advent, Book of Common Prayer (see below) Reflection We are arrived at the beginning of the New Year. Yes, to the world, the New Year is still a month and two days off, but for the Church, the year begins in Advent. It is initially odd to think that the Church Calendar begins in Advent. Advent, after all, is a time of waiting, waiting for the coming of Christ. It is as if the New Year begins only to stop suddenly in its tracks, sit down and wait for something. Yet, on further … [Read more...] about Advent: The New Year Begins (Scholar’s Compass)
The Day After Christmas
On Sunday, December 29th, Gene Wingert[1] wove The Day After Christmas throughout the morning worship service at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (referred to as EBIC in the PDF). The meditation was so stirring that I asked for a copy to share with you (click here for a PDF). How apt to post on Epiphany, The Day of Three Kings, and in anticipation of sharing gifts in ministry with InterVarsity staff at our triennial staff conference (January 7 - 11, St. Louis). As a teaser, below is the first part. May you … [Read more...] about The Day After Christmas