Great poetry for Christmas: Robert Southwell, “New Heaven, New War”

Robert Southwell (1561-1595) was a Jesuit priest active in England who was accused of treason, imprisoned, tortured, and executed for his connections to the Church in Rome during the reign of Elizabeth I. This little babe, so few days old,Is come to rifle Satan’s fold;All hell doth at his presence quake.Though he himself for cold … Continue reading Great poetry for Christmas: Robert Southwell, “New Heaven, New War”

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23, 2018 – “Christ comes to the Lowly” (Luke 1:39-45)

This sermon was originally preached at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia. A common theme in many of the readings we have for the season of Advent is how Jesus comes to us in ways we don’t expect; how he defies our human ideas of what our Lord and King looks like.  But while today’s Gospel lesson deals with Jesus defying human expectations, he doesn’t just … Continue reading Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23, 2018 – “Christ comes to the Lowly” (Luke 1:39-45)

Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent (Midweek Service), December 19, 2018 – “Christ comes as the Promised One of Israel” (Matthew 11:1-10)

"St. John the Baptist in Prison Receives Christ's Answer," Samuel van Hoogstraten (1627-1678) This sermon is the third part of a sermon series preached at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia, titled “Advent with Martin Luther,” exploring themes found in Luther’s 1540 Church Postil concerning the readings from the One-Year Historic Lectionary. Grace, mercy, and … Continue reading Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent (Midweek Service), December 19, 2018 – “Christ comes as the Promised One of Israel” (Matthew 11:1-10)

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent (Midweek Service), December 12, 2018 – “Christ comes in Glory” (Luke 21:25-36)

"The Last Judgment" (1557) by Hubert Goltzius (1526-1583), Limburg Museum, Venlo, Netherlands This sermon is the second part of a sermon series preached at Living Savior Lutheran Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia, titled “Advent with Martin Luther,” exploring themes found in Luther’s 1540 Church Postil concerning the readings from the One-Year Historic Lectionary. Grace, mercy, and peace … Continue reading Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent (Midweek Service), December 12, 2018 – “Christ comes in Glory” (Luke 21:25-36)

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent, December 9, 2018 – “What Shall We Do?” (Luke 3:1-14)

"A Landscape with John the Baptist Preaching" (1601), by Pieter Breughel the Younger (1564-1638), Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn Originally preached at Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Getting ready for the arrival of important people takes work.  Lots of … Continue reading Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent, December 9, 2018 – “What Shall We Do?” (Luke 3:1-14)