Author Archives: mbcnyc

Luke 2:1-20 The shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” Once the shepherds have heard the news and the angelic … Continue reading →

Galatians 4:4-7 In my family growing up—like many families, I suppose—we had a tradition of reading the Christmas story every Christmas Eve.  Images of shepherds, donkeys, angels, and a newborn baby wrestled with visions of sugarplums, reindeer, and sleighs full … Continue reading →

Isaiah 52:7-10 I have never thought of feet as “beautiful.”  I would imagine most, with the occasional exception, would share this sentiment.  There are other adjectives that come to mind, none of which are complimentary.  It is for this very … Continue reading →

Psalm 98 An excerpt from the 2008 Metro Advent Guide “Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music” That line from some song has been going through my head for 2 days now, ever since I … Continue reading →

Luke 1:67-79 In the Scripture we often read of people being “filled with the Holy Spirit” and in this case we find Zechariah receiving such treatment. I’m fairly certain I’ve never been filled with the Spirit in quite the same … Continue reading →

Luke 1: 45-56 Mary: Radical Palestinian Socialist Mary’s song is not merely a part of Advent.  It tells us about Jesus’s childhood, about how He learned scripture: from His mother. Jesus almost certainly spent much his childhood with his mother.  … Continue reading →

Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph is probably the most fascinating character to me in this whole little soap opera.  We have Mary, the virgin, who is carrying the child of God.  We have the Messiah’s imminent arrival.  We have the angel who … Continue reading →

Luke 1:26-38 Once upon a youth retreat, I saw a mini-skit that went like this:  Mary is minding her own business and suddenly the angel appears, with a startling announcement:  Blessed is she among women – God has chosen her … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61:10-11 “…For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” As RMM’s … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-9 When these words were spoken by Isaiah and then again by Jesus in the temple at Nazareth, they were filled with promises of hope and justice.  For the desperate and lost and for those who had suffered … Continue reading →