During Advent, we often find ourselves thinking warm and comforting thoughts about Christmas and babies and manger scenes and carols. Some of us think warm thoughts about families gathering to celebrate...

One of our sons works for the US State Department, and his position requires him—and his family—to move somewhere in the world every two years. Their current post is in the...

In these two short verses, the prophet Zephaniah accomplishes a major task: He moves from disaster to celebration. Many of the Hebrew prophetic books close with a message of hope and...

Begin today’s meditation time by rereading Isaiah 12:2-6. This passage contains a multitude of words and phrases we can take to heart. Choose the one that is most meaningful for you...

John the Baptist’s harsh words remind us of God’s judgment while opening the door for a teaching moment. John gives three pieces of advice when asked, “What then should we do?”...

Zephaniah 1:1 dates this prophetic book during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, from 640 to 609 bce. King Josiah brought about important religious reforms in Judah. (You can read...

Today’s scripture was spoken by the prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah, who were living in the shadow of the powerful Assyrian Empire at the time. Isaiah prophesied to Judah...

We return to Malachi to bookend this week, but I invite you to read a bit more. Malachi 3:5 follows today’s reading with these words: “I will be swift to bear...

Finally, we get to John—John who was predicted in Malachi, John who was just born in Luke 1, finally arrives in Luke 3. This is the guy! This is who we’ve...

In The Phantom Menace (1999) Yoda says this: “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Yoda sees fear as the gateway that leads to other bad...