Sermons for the Season of Advent
Luke 1:39-45 In those days Mary set out and went with haste. . .Gabriel has not long left Mary, and she sets out on a journey. Not for the last time, will someone set out in joy and haste after receiving news from an angel. Very soon Shepherds will leave their flocks where they had …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (19/12/21): Elizabeth and Mary Read More »
Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist’s preaching is harsh! He launches into an attack on his hearers:“You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come”He pictures the crowd who are standing in front of him, the ones who have come out into the middle of nowhere to listen to him, he …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent (12/12/21): John’s Message to Snakes Read More »
Luke 3:1-6 Luke sets the scene. Having completed his prologue, events that took place 30 years ago, with a brief reference to a slightly more recent incident, he now turns to the main event, the substance of the story he wants to tell. Luke situates his account of the Good News very carefully in history. …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent (05/12/21): Dramatis Personae Read More »
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Behold the days are coming declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of JudahJeremiah is a prophet. He is someone who has been given insight about God. And so he is able to speak for God. The words he speaks are …
A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent (28/11/21): Not When But What Read More »
And Will Call His Name Immanuel Isaiah 7:10-17 As so often happens, Judah is in the midst of a crisis. The place where God’s people live is not only a land which has been promised to them, it is also a cross roads. Trade routes to the north and south, to east and west meet here. So the land …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (20/12/20): And Will Call His Name Immanuel Read More »
Rejoice! Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD says the prophet. In some traditions of the church the third Sunday in Advent (today) is referred to as “Gaudete Sunday ,”that is “Rejoice Sunday.” Which, I guess is why this passage from Isaiah is set for today. That is why in some advent rings one …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent (13/12/20): Rejoice! Read More »
Your God is Here! Isaiah 40:1-11 Isaiah is given access to the heavenly council. He is allowed to overhear a conversation between the heavenly beings. He doesn’t hear God speak directly, but what he does hear comes with the authority of God. After they have spoken one of the Heavenly beings turns to him and commands: “Cry out!” …
A Sermon fo the Second Sunday in Advent (06/12/20): Your God Is Here! Read More »
An Isaiah Advent Isaiah 64:1-9 The other day I was watching a webinar by my favourite contemporary theologians: Stanley Hauerwas and Will Willimon.They were discussing how preachers should approach Advent. In particular, in view of everything that has been happening in this last year, how preachers should approach this Advent. They said that in Advent we are …
A Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent (29/11/20): An Isaiah Advent Read More »