Transfiguration Sunday—Removing the Veil

Like a thick fog lifting, revealing a landscape that was hidden moments before, Transfiguration Sunday reminds us of a time when the disciples saw Jesus in his true glory. On that mountain, their vision was cleared, and they glimpsed the fullness of who Jesus is—a moment that let them see beyond the everyday into the reality of God’s kingdom.
Today, we celebrate this lifting of the veil, the first step of transformation, when what once was unclear or hidden becomes fully visible. When the fog lifts, we see beauty, light, and truth in ways that weren’t possible before. This lifting of the veil invites us to move closer to God’s kingdom, allowing us to see the world as God intends—filled with his light, love, and justice.
(B-roll: A foggy morning scene, with sunlight gradually piercing through, symbolizing the veil being lifted.)
Many things can act as veils in our lives, keeping us from fully seeing God’s presence and purpose. These veils might be fears, misunderstandings, doubts, or distractions. They make us see the world only as it is, rather than as it could be in the fullness of God’s kingdom. To experience true transformation, we must be willing to set aside these barriers, opening our eyes to see through God’s eyes.
(B-roll: Close-up of a person gently pulling back a curtain, symbolizing the act of removing the veil to reveal something new.)
[Pause]
When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, the disciples saw his divine glory, shining like the sun. In that moment, the veil was lifted, and they glimpsed a reality they hadn’t seen before. This same light of God is meant to shine into our lives, clearing away what hinders us and revealing his kingdom—his rule of peace, justice, and compassion. When we remove these veils, we begin to see not only who Jesus is but also who we are called to be as his followers.
(B-roll: Sunlight breaking through clouds, illuminating a mountain landscape, symbolizing revelation and clarity.)
[Transition]
Today’s Psalm reminds us of the holiness and majesty of God’s presence. It invites us to worship and revere God, who is exalted above all nations and yet near to each one of us. Like the psalmist, we are called to approach God with reverence and humility, asking him to remove whatever stands between us and his kingdom vision. We invite him to lift the veil so that we can see his love, his justice, and his power more clearly.
(B-roll: A person kneeling in prayer, their face lifted toward the sky, symbolizing humility and the desire for a clearer vision of God.)
[Conclusion]
On this Transfiguration Sunday, let us ask God to lift the veils in our lives. May He remove the barriers that keep us from fully seeing his kingdom and experiencing his transforming love. As we journey with him, let us embrace the light that reveals who he is and who we are called to be. And as we worship, may we remember the words of Psalm 99, which remind us that our God is holy, mighty, and near.
(B-roll: A close-up of a hand lighting a candle, with the flame illuminating the room, symbolizing God’s light that reveals his truth to us.)
[Reading: Psalm 99:1-5]
(B-roll: Images of nature, mountains, and people gathered in worship, reflecting the reverence and awe described in the psalm.)
“The Lord reigns; let the nations tremble.
He sits enthroned between the cherubim; let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
(B-roll: Final shot of a person standing on a mountain summit, looking out over a clear, sunlit landscape, symbolizing the vision of God’s kingdom revealed.)
As we lift our eyes, may we see clearly and follow boldly, for our God is holy and worthy of our worship.

Speaking Of Life 4013 | The Boy from the Well
Greg Williams

Have you ever felt completely powerless? Have you been in the unenviable place of having no recourse—no action you can take that will change your situation? Imagine being stuck in the bottom of a well.

You likely recall the story. Joseph was the favorite of 12 sons, whose father had given him a coat of many colors. Joseph’s brothers—jealous of his gifts and favor with their father—threw him down a well in a fit of rage. At the bottom of the well—perhaps this one or one like it, he lay helpless, unable to scale the walls, completely dependent upon others to release him. Of course, we know this was just the beginning of his journey of helplessness, which included slavery, imprisonment, and mistreatment.

But we also know that years later, after being released from prison, Joseph became the 2^nd highest authority in the land of Egypt. And during this time, he and his brothers met.

The land was in the midst of famine and Joseph’s brothers had traveled to Egypt to ask to buy food for their family. They were now totally dependent upon others. They had no idea the Egyptian official in front of them was their brother Joseph the boy they had thrown into a well so many years before.

At first, Joseph wasn’t sure about revealing himself to them and seemed to toy with the idea of revenge—even seeming to threaten their youngest brother. But mercy wins out. He can’t keep up the ruse anymore, he blurts out his name. But they don’t get it at first.

[Look Down]

And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
Genesis 45:3-4 (ESV)

They are so shocked to see him he had to repeat himself. You can only imagine what is going on in their minds. The power dynamic has completely reversed. Now it is them at the bottom of the well as he stands over them. They are trapped in famine and under the mercy of Egypt. He has the upper hand by any measure.  But rather than take the upper hand, he informs them of his plan to take care of the most vulnerable member of their family, their aging father.

This is grace. Grace can mean walking away from our rightful revenge, holding back when we want to restore our human version of “balance” to the world.

Grace tells us that God doesn’t work by our weights and measures. In Joseph’s world, the abusing brothers are forgiven and taken in. In God’s world, the weak become the strong; in God’s world, the sinner is given the place of honor. In God’s world, the boy from the well becomes the man on the throne; the boy stripped off his robe provides for his family.

I am Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.

Speaking Of Life 4012 | If No Resurrection…
Cara Garrity

Have you ever had a hard time believing something the Bible says about Jesus Christ? The virgin birth. Healing the blind. Walking on water. Raising the dead. There are many things about Jesus’ story that challenge our reason. As a result, sometimes we try to force-fit our big God into a box of our own understanding or suspend our logic and reason to be a Christian?

The apostle Paul had to address the resurrection of Jesus. A good number of the members of the Corinthian church did not believe in the possibility of the dead coming back to life. Ironically, Paul used the style of writing popular with philosophers to make a logical argument proving the reality of the resurrection. He began by quoting evidence—including eyewitness testimony—of Christ being seen after his death. In his conclusion, Paul stated:

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. … But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:12-14

Paul saw the resurrection as foundational to our faith and a reason for our hope. Yet, he also understood it was a hard thing to believe. This was why he was so meticulous in putting together a logical argument for the more skeptical Christians in Corinth. Apart from God, resurrection is illogical. But with God, it is possible, because God can do all things. Resurrection still stretches the imagination, however, we serve a supernatural God who is powerful beyond description.

Paul did not want his audience to disregard their logical minds or try to fit God into their pre-conceived notions of logic, rather he wanted them to use their minds to explore a greater reality. In this season of Epiphany, we are challenged to see and encounter the God revealed in Jesus Christ. The truth is Jesus disrupts our belief because he is greater than we can possibly imagine. We cannot wrap our minds around his love, his power, and the lengths he is willing to go in order to redeem humanity.

I pray that you would allow God to renew your mind and awaken you to the ways of his reality. I am Cara Garrity, Speaking of Life.

Speaking Of Life 4011 | The Story Since Day One
Greg Williams

Do you ever have a commercial jingle or a theme song from a tv show that you can remember perfectly years later? Decades might pass, you will have forgotten libraries of information, but you can still flawlessly recite the opening song. For example, the jingle from the old TV show, The Brady Bunch… “Here’s a story, of a lovely lady, who was bringing up three very lovely girls…”

Stories draw us in, they make us pay attention, they help us remember.

We see Paul using a story for the same reasons. Though, his story is much more meaningful. In his first letter to believers in Corinth Paul wrote:

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (ESV)                                                        

At first glance, this may look like more of Paul’s theological writing—abstract concepts in the early formulation of faith. But scholars have looked more closely at the language in the last hundred years or so and they saw an intrinsic rhythm and meter of the words: “that Christ died…he was buried…he was raised.” What they found was an ancient credal formula—a compact, memorizable statement of faith that was probably around long before 1 Corinthians was written.

Notice how Paul set this up: I delivered to you what I received. He was sharing something he had received—this creed, this jingle, this poem—something that was already in place and most likely part of his discipleship process.

We are seeing here some of the first “hymns” the church ever sang. Remember there was no internet and a significant part of the first audience was illiterate. This would be the way new believers learned faith, similar to a memory verse or a simple song, or a creed in today’s churches.

Just like we can sing some of the words to The Brady Bunch jingle, so the early believers could tell the story of Christ in song, or poem form. The story was circulated in such a way that people could remember it and share it. We still tell the story today—Jesus is of first importance. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension are the story we share each year as we worship our way through the Christian Calendar. Each year the calendar reminds us of the story of Jesus—the same story that has been shared since day one.

I am Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.

Speaking Of Life 4010 | Hitting Too Close to Home
Heber Ticas

Have you ever uttered the words, “That hit just a little too close to home?” It’s a familiar phrase we use when something is said that makes us feel uncomfortable or embarrassed because it touches on a sensitive or personal subject. The words spoken may be neutral or even positive, but if it connects in a personal way, we may try to put distance between us and what was said. So, we say something like, “That hits a little too close to home. Let’s talk about something else.”

Have you ever considered that hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ may have the same effect? The Gospel is the good news that God’s grace and love, forgiveness, mercy, and reconciliation have been given to all in Jesus Christ. We may at first hear such a proclamation with warmth and joy but then some implications for us personally come to mind.

For example, if God has forgiven my worst enemy, I may have to forgive them too. Or, if God has reconciled all to himself in Jesus, then I may be expected to seek reconciliation with certain people I rather not have anything to do with.

Or, more personally. If Jesus is Savior of the whole world, then I will have to trust him as my personal savior. I’ll have to admit that I need saving and that I cannot save myself. In short, I’ll have to turn around and trust in this one who has saved me. You may want to respond with, “That is hitting just a little too close to home. Let’s talk about something else.”

Or the Spirit may be breaking in to form in you a different and better response. Perhaps a response like we see in Psalm 71:

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. 
Psalm 71:1-6 (NRSV)

If you feel like God’s Word is hitting a little too close to home today, consider this response of trust, and take refuge in him. In his love for you, the Father never takes back his Word. He means to “hit close to home” because our true home is with him.

Mi nombre es Heber Ticas, Hablando de Vida.

Speaking Of Life 4009 | Practicing Christ in the Kitchen
Greg Williams

In the summer of 1642, a young disabled veteran named Nicolas Herman took vows to join a religious community in Paris. He described himself as a “great awkward fellow who broke everything,” and was acutely aware of his humble, flawed stature.

He took the religious title Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, or Brother Lawrence as he’s widely known. He joined the monastery and was given a task to perform, and he did what he was asked. But he was soon seen to be a man of wisdom and he became sought by many visitors for spiritual counsel. Over time, even famous thinkers and powerful church leaders came to listen to him.

But they had to go to the kitchen to find him. Brother Lawrence washed the dishes.

This giant in the spiritual wisdom tradition, this sought-after guide in faith, was the cook who spent his days in the kitchen steam, among the pots and pans. And that was the key, he practiced the presence of Christ there in the smallest of tasks. Every plate he washed, every dish he prepared, he did so as if Jesus were right there with him.

One of his most famous quotes describes this:

“The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.”

Brother Lawrence washed dishes until his health no longer allowed it and then he became a sandal-maker. And that was his life; though he was one of the wisest of men at that time, he never left the kitchen or the workbench. Shortly after he died his letters were compiled into the enduring classic Practicing the Presence of Christ, and it’s been read and reread by millions of people.

Brother Lawrence’s story reminds us that God works through people we might never expect. And it helps us see how God uses every part of the body. As Paul wrote:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV)

The body of Christ—interconnected, mutually supportive—needs every part to be whole. If this back kitchen cook had been ignored because of his humble position, we would have missed out on his message and edification for the whole body.

Brother Lawrence, like so many forgotten, “insignificant” people, turned out to be a light that shines through the centuries. May we continue to shine the light of Christ in whatever we are called or asked to do. 

I’m Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.

Speaking Of Life 4008 | No Comparisons
Michelle Fleming

Comparison is a trap that is so easy to fall into. It’s a cheap and easy ego boost to notice when we are bigger, better, faster, stronger than someone else we know. It can also be brutal, when we come across someone who effortlessly exceeds our abilities.

Human beings tend to compare themselves whether we know it or not. We compare our appearance, our intelligence, our personalities, and our perceived success. Comparing yourself with other people leads to dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem. The issue with comparison is that we are our own point of reference.

The wonderful truth is that we are made in God’s image. Our identity is not based on our performance or how we measure up to others. God created each one of us as his unique beloved child, with our own talents and gifts. Notice how Paul addressed this in his letter to the believers in Corinth.

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful. … All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
I Corinthians 12:4-11 (The Message)

And this is why comparing ourselves doesn’t make sense, because God isn’t holding out on any of us. He created you uniquely, on purpose, with a purpose. Each person has been given spiritual gifts that are intended to reveal God to others, and God decides how every person can best reveal the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to the world.

Comparing yourself to others, or trying to be like someone else is ignoring the special gifting God has given you, and robbing the world of those gifts. In fellowship with one another, we reflect God’s love and glory into the world around us. And everyone benefits.

May you embrace your unique gifts from God as you share the love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with the people in your world.

I’m Michelle Fleming, Speaking of Life.

Epiphany: Jesus, Light of the World

Think of the stars on a dark, cloudless night—small, distant lights scattered across the vast sky, yet enough to bring comfort and direction. Jesus is the brightest of these stars, a light that cannot be hidden, shining not just for a few but for all. Epiphany reminds us that Jesus’ light is meant to be seen by everyone and that we are called to share that light, to be a light that reaches into every corner of the world.

As we celebrate Epiphany, we are reminded of Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” his light—the light that guides us, brings hope, and reveals God’s love to all people. Epiphany is a season that celebrates the truth that Jesus didn’t come for just a few but for everyone. Jesus came as the light of the world to bring all people into the warmth and hope of his love. And because Jesus is the light of the world, he calls us to share that light with everyone we meet.

In Matthew, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.” When we follow him, we become like lamps that shine for everyone to see. Just as a city’s lights can be seen from far away, our lives are meant to be bright reflections of Jesus’ love and grace. We don’t keep his light to ourselves; we let it shine brightly, guiding all people to his peace and truth.

Epiphany isn’t only about seeing Jesus’ light—it’s about sharing it. Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ,” messengers who share Jesus’ love and reflect his presence to others. As the Holy Spirit fills us, the light of Jesus transforms us from within, helping us grow to look more like him. We become mirrors, reflecting his love and hope to everyone in need.

Epiphany is a season of discovering Jesus anew, as the Savior for all people. As we read his story, as we draw near to his presence, our hearts become filled with light. And when we are filled with his light, we have to share it! The more we tell Jesus’ story, the more we experience his love and find our own lives transformed by his light.

This message is not about us—it’s about Jesus, who came to be the light for all people. We are simply messengers, carrying his light into the world. When God said, “Let there be light,” he wanted that light to spread through us, reaching everyone and shining his love into the places and lives we touch.

As we celebrate Epiphany, let us remember that we are part of God’s promise to bring light to all people. The one who calls us to “come and see” also sends us to “go and tell.” Let us be like a city on a hill, shining brightly so that everyone can see God’s love through us. Just as God called Israel by name. In Isaiah, Jesus now calls each of us by name, to go forward as his light in the world.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up,’ and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.’”
Isaiah 43:1-7

Let us go forth as the light, for we are called by name and created to reflect his glory for all people.

Speaking Of Life 4006 | Already a Good New Year
Cara Garrity

This week, we are blessed to celebrate the coming of another year with fireworks, parties, and cheers of “goodbye” to 2021 and “hello” to 2022. At the start of a new year, many people use the opportunity to take stock in their lives. They make resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, save money, and stop procrastinating. There is nothing inherently wrong with making a New Year’s resolution, however, have you ever noticed that resolutions are often focused on self-improvement?

Why do we often base our New Year’s resolution on things we do not like about ourselves or things we think will make us whole? Why, when reflecting on our lives, do we tend to look at what we do not have versus what we have?

The truth is, God wants something different and better for us. While we do actively participate in the work to become more like Christ, our Triune God invites us to be focused on the blessings we have already received and how we are being transformed by the goodness of God.  Paul writes:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Ephesians 1:3-6

The reality is that if we are in Christ, we have already been blessed beyond imagination. It is God’s pleasure to bless his children and he does not withhold his best from us. What would happen if we made our New Year’s resolution in light of what we have received in Christ? What if we saw ourselves as overflowing with blessings? What if we saw ourselves as already chosen and adopted in Christ?

For this new year, I challenge us to rest in the truth of what God says about humanity. Through Jesus Christ, we are holy and blameless in his sight. I pray that we will experience every spiritual blessing in Christ, no matter what this year has in store.

I’m Cara Garrity, Speaking of Life.

Speaking Of Life 4005 | Just Like Mom Used to Make
Greg Williams

One of the sweet memories I have of my college days was the care packages I got from my mom. I would show up at the student mail counter and get that much-anticipated box filled with fudge, no-bake cookies, a loving note, new socks, and a surprise or two—just a touch of home. As a young college student, I didn’t realize how important this kind of interaction was. My mom was connecting me with my family and the story I came from—the disorienting experience of young adulthood was relieved for a moment. This is who you are—not just words, but they gave me a taste and feel of home. 

We can only guess, but the young prophet Samuel may have felt the same way. The high priest’s sons, who were supposed to be learning the arts of the temple, were distracted and sin-addicted. Samuel, at a young age, was already doing some of the priest work, as we see in this brief touching account of his mother’s visit: 

Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
1 Samuel 2:18-19 (ESV)

Samuel’s mother Hannah had prayed for a child for decades. When Samuel was finally born, she dedicated him to the Lord—to live at the temple and assist the priest. She visited once a year and brought him the “care package” of a new robe she made for him every year. She only saw him once and she had to guess carefully how much he grew that year. 

Hannah joins the great tradition of biblical women—powerful elegant ladies who are vital to the narrative of the gospel. In the ancient world where women were often disregarded, these heroic females stood out as examples of courage and rugged love.

Hannah knows that her boy is destined for great things and serves in the very presence of God, but she also knows he’s her boy. That he needs the touch of home and that God only calls real-life, momma-needing people to bring in his kingdom. 

Has God ever used someone—be it your mother or someone else—to remind you of your frailty, but also to remind you that he cares about you? That he cares about your need for comfort and your need for love? Does he use those who can see right through us and yet still love us, like mom does? This “for-us,” unconditional Godly love is what our amazing Triune God wants for us all, and finds unique ways to provide—often through unexpected care packages.

May you experience the care packages he sends your way.

I’m Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.

Christmas Eve—God’s Glory Brings Great Joy

Today, we gather to celebrate one of the most beautiful moments in human history—the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. The glory of God appeared in the most humble of ways, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Yet, in this moment, God’s glory brings great joy to the world. This joy isn’t just a fleeting emotion—it’s a deep, abiding joy that transforms lives, bringing courage and hope in the midst of uncertainty.

The birth of Jesus is the ultimate reminder that we are not alone. Emmanuel—God with us—means that God has come to be present with us, not only in moments of celebration but in the very heart of our struggles and uncertainties. His presence brings hope, and with that hope comes joy, no matter what we’re going through.

Even when life is challenging, Christmas reminds us that God’s glory has appeared, and that changes everything. Jesus’ birth brought heaven to earth, showing us that we don’t have to face the hard things in life on our own. God came to us at Christmas to fill us with courage and hope. So even when life is uncertain, we can walk forward in the confidence of his love.

The glory of God we celebrate on Christmas is not far away—it is right here, in the person of Jesus. His birth is what the Bible calls “the grace of God appearing.” This grace is a gift. It’s not just about forgiving our sins—it’s about changing our hearts and our lives. Christ-followers are invited to be changed by the nativity of our Lord, to live lives that reflect the courage, hope, and joy of Christ’s presence within us.

As we remember the birth of Jesus, let’s also remember that God’s glory isn’t just something we see—it’s something that brings joy into our hearts. We are called to live changed lives, full of the courage and hope that come from knowing that Jesus is with us. We are not alone. Emmanuel—God with us—walks with us through all of life’s challenges, giving us hope and joy that only his presence can bring.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

God’s glory has come, and in that, we find our great joy.

Advent—He Was, He Is, He Will Be

In the beauty of the incarnation, we witness the depth of God’s love. Jesus, born into our world, took on our humanity, placing himself in our skin and on our side to reveal divine love for all creation. He was with us in the most tangible way, sharing in our struggles, joys, and every aspect of our humanity.

But Jesus is not only a figure of the past. Through the Holy Spirit, he is with us now, walking alongside us as we navigate the complexities of life. In our moments of joy and sorrow, in our triumphs and challenges, Christ’s presence brings comfort, guidance, and love. We are never alone.

And we hold onto the hope that he will come again. Jesus will return to bring peace, justice, and the fullness of God’s kingdom. The brokenness of this world will be mended, and the old will give way to the new—just as we are invited to let go of what is behind us and welcome the transformation Christ brings.

Jesus Christ was, he is, and he will be. The incarnation is not just a historical moment—it is the heart of God’s love made manifest. By becoming human, Jesus embraced the fullness of our shared humanity, showing us that even in our fragility, we are loved and valued. His presence among us gives humanity a renewed sense of dignity and purpose..)

Now, as we await his return, we are called to let go of the old—our fears, anxieties, and doubts—and make room for the newness of life Christ offers. This is the hope of Advent: that through Christ, all things will be made new.

As we light the final candle of Advent, let it remind us of the one who was, who is, and who will be. May we celebrate the beauty of the incarnation, rejoice in Christ’s presence with us today, and live in hope for his return. In Christ, we are invited to let go of the old and embrace the new life that awaits us.

⁷ Restore us, God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

⁸ You transplanted a vine from Egypt;
    you drove out the nations and planted it.
⁹ You cleared the ground for it,
    and it took root and filled the land.
¹⁰ The mountains were covered with its shade,
    the mighty cedars with its branches.
¹¹ Its branches reached as far as the Sea,
    its shoots as far as the River.

In Christ, our past is redeemed, our present is embraced, and our future is made whole.

Advent—Rejoice! The One Who Comes is Our Salvation

As we enter the third week of Advent, we are invited to pause and reflect on the deep joy that comes with the approaching fulfillment of God’s promises. This season of waiting prepares us not just to receive Christ, but to be transformed by him. As we consider this week’s readings, we are reminded that to experience the fullness of God’s love, we must first allow our hearts and minds to be changed. Often, that means letting go of the old to make room for something new, something much bigger and more beautiful than we could ever have imagined.

In Philippians 4:4-7, the apostle Paul calls us to rejoice always, regardless of our circumstances. This call to joy is not rooted in the fleeting happiness of the moment but in the deep and abiding peace that comes from God. Paul invites us to release our anxieties, our fears, and our old ways of thinking. In doing so, we make space for the peace of Christ to guard our hearts and minds.

There is a joy in letting go of what no longer serves us. Repentance—turning away from the old and embracing the new—brings a unique kind of joy. It’s the joy that comes when we realize that God’s dream for us is far greater than our own, and that his love has the power to transform not only our lives but the world around us.

When we allow ourselves to be changed, our perspective broadens, and we begin to see the world through the lens of God’s love. The kingdom of heaven that Jesus came to usher in is one of peace, justice, and wholeness—a kingdom where the broken are made whole, and the old is replaced with the new. This is the joy we are called to: the joy of knowing that the One who comes brings salvation and renewal to all creation.

The joy we experience in this season is not a fleeting emotion; it is a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing that God’s salvation is near. As we prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival, we let go of what holds us back—our fears, our anxieties, our old ways of thinking—and make room for the newness of life that Christ offers.

As we light the candle today, may it remind us to let go of the old so we can embrace the new. Let us rejoice in the coming of our Savior, who brings peace beyond understanding and joy that fills our hearts as we await the fullness of God’s kingdom.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Christ leads us into the fullness of joy.

Advent—Prepare the Way

As we enter the second week of Advent, we continue our journey of preparation. This season, we are called not only to prepare our own hearts but also to be messengers of blessing to those around us. This season invites us to reflect on the peace that Christ brings and the role we play in carrying that peace into the world.

Imagine a road being prepared ahead of us. Just as ancient roads were leveled and cleared for kings and dignitaries to travel, so too are we called to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. This preparation isn’t about perfection, but about making space—clearing the obstacles of our hearts and lives so that Christ’s peace may enter and dwell within us.

In this season of Advent, our hearts are like the humble manger, waiting to receive the gift of Christ. Just as the manger, simple and unadorned, made room for the Prince of Peace, so too must we make room in our hearts. We prepare not with lavish offerings, but by opening space for Christ’s peace and blessing to dwell in us.

In Luke 1:68-79, we hear Zechariah’s prophecy, a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness. These words speak of preparing the way before us—a way that leads to peace, forgiveness, and the light of God’s salvation. But before we walk this path, Advent calls us to pause.

In this pause, we take time to reflect on where we are, where we’ve been, and where God is leading us. Advent invites us into a season of peace, but that peace begins with a willingness to prepare our hearts—just as one would prepare a road for a coming king, or Mary prepared a manger for the birth of the Savior.

As we reflect on God’s faithfulness and promises, we are reminded that we, too, are called to be messengers of blessing. Just as the road is prepared, we are to share the peace of Christ with others—clearing the way for hope, love, and blessing to enter the world around us.

Today, as we light the Advent candle of peace, let it remind us of the peace we are called to receive and to share. Let us prepare our hearts like a manger, ready to receive Christ’s peace, and may we be messengers of blessing to a world in need of hope and light.

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn^[a] of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

With this peace, we are prepared for the journey ahead.