RoboPreacher

thank god you are here with me a sermon on Isaiah's prophetic sermon of the "suffering servant" Today, in case you didn’t know, is “ Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete Sunday is an occasion in the church year. It’s often marked by a pink Advent candle.   Perhaps some of you recall such a Sunday from years past .   Now we’ll talk about what Gaudete means in a bit . We’ll discuss the translation, origin, and purpose of this day. For now , though, suffice it to say that, practically speaking, this moment in the church year marks the make-or- break moment for all your Christmas preparations. Truthfully, it actually marks the moment the make-or-break moment has come and gone . Just as Christ the King represents the day you need to prepare your Christmas pudding, so Gaudete Sunday represents the instance it has become too late to alter how your Christmas plans will shake out.   I know. That’s not what you wanted to hear. But it’s true . And I do you no favors by pretending otherw...

the day-to-day is like a whirlwind A sermon for the third week of Advent on Isaiah 61 It is now the third week of Advent. The season draws short . Christmas approaches .   …Are you ready ? Is the tree up? What about the lights? Have you got all your presents? And are they wrapped? If there was ever a year to assume all this was already done , this would be it. This year folks have been decorating earlier than usual. Amanda and I were no exception. Things have been so gloomy this year, we actually began setting up before Thanksgiving. But what about all the other stuff? The stuff that really matters. Have you made arrangements with your family for Christmas this year?   Saturday Night Live came out with a skit about parents losing it when their adult children told them they wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas. And the satirical newspaper, The Onion, beat them to the punch with the headline, “Mom Completely Understands That Coming To Thanksgiving Is Risky And That You ...