Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A) Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on December 21, 2025. On this Winter Solstice, this shortest day of the year, as our Jewish friends light the final candle of the hanukkiah, and as the […]
Read More A Sign for Honi, Ahaz, and UsReadings for the Feast Day of Thomas Merton Isaiah 57:14 – 19 Psalm 62 Colossians 2:2 – 10 John 12:27 – 36 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on December 10, 2025 Collect for the Feast Day of Thomas Merton Gracious God, you called your monk Thomas Merton to proclaim your justice […]
Read More Thomas Merton and the Angels of AdventThis article was written for the December 2025 Chronicle newsletter for Christ Church Eureka. This Advent, I’m reading a book by an Anglican theologian named Donald Allchin who enjoyed a spiritual friendship with the Trappist monk Thomas Merton, whose feast day happens to be this month (Dec 10)![1] Donald Allchin was an Anglican priest and author who […]
Read More “Do But Make Room for Him this Advent and Christmas”Readings for the First Sunday of Advent (Year A) Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Psalm 122 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on November 30, 2025. On this first Sunday of Advent, we generally wish each other a happy new year as we begin a new liturgical year together. So, happy […]
Read More Matthew’s Mini-ApocalypseReadings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year C) Micah 5:2-5a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) Canticle 15 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday December 22, 2024. During my recent trip back East, I had the opportunity to sing Christmas Carols with Harvard students as well as visit my favorite […]
Read More Mary, Myrick, and the MagnificatReadings for the Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Psalm 25:1-9 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday December 8, 2024. This week, I was reading and reflecting on today’s Gospel, especially Luke’s words from the prophet Isaiah who says, “Every valley shall be […]
Read More Dies IraeReadings for the First Sunday of Advent (Year C) Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Psalm 25:1-9 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday December 1, 2024. Today marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and the first day of the Advent season when we eagerly await and silently […]
Read More “Look at all the Trees”Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 John 1:1-18 Psalm 147 or 147:13-21 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka on Sunday December 31, 2023. 800 years ago, a 41-year-old deacon travelled to the Italian town of Greccio, where he pondered the mystery of Christmas expressed in the words […]
Read More Affirming “Brother Ass”Readings for the Feast of the Christ Mass Isaiah 62:6-12 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20 Psalm 97 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church Eureka for the Christmas Eve service on Saturday December 24, 2023. Merry Christmas! Some authors have argued that the spiritual character and contribution of each Christian denomination can be represented well with a […]
Read More The Heavenly Peace of Silent Night
