ANGEL-FILLED ADVENT by Ann Weems   Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Advent came filled with angels and alleluias? Wouldn’t it be perfect if we were greeted on these December mornings with a hovering of heavenly hosts tuning their harps and brushing up on their fa-la-las? Wouldn’t it be incredible if their music filled our waking hours with the promise of peace on…

On this rainy day so close to Christmas, let us look towards those who are without shelter – the Marys and Josephs – Joses and Marias – in our midst. There we will find God. Image: Jose y Maria by Everett Patterson.

“Just hours after his 28-year-old grandson died, a shaken former President Jimmy Carter broke the news to his Plains, Georgia, church and then taught Sunday School.” This news really moved me. Not just that President Carter’s beloved grandson, Jeremy, died. But that hours after it happened, the President showed up at his church, shared the news with his fellow congregants, and taught…

This new Christmas song by the Rev. Vince Anderson is an autobiographical tale of the Rev.’s Christmas past, and his hope for the present and the future. The Rev. grew up in Fresno, California and now resides in Brooklyn, NY. In the spirit of the holiday and as a tribute to his two hometowns, all proceeds from this track will be donated…

I don’t know the origin of this, but this morning a friend reposted a comment on Facebook that said, “Mary, Did You Know? Is the mansplainiest of carols. Of course she knows. Did you miss the magnificat.” I’ve been reflecting on this all day. How Mary did know what was going on with her, and she was still able to “magnify the…

The Advent Day 13 reflection comes from the writings of Thomas Merton. Waiting always involves uncertainty, a certain not knowing that is scarcely ever comfortable for us as human beings. This reflection is a reminder that honesty about not knowing is it’s own spiritual practice.   “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the…