The first sign
Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana reveals His divine power through something as ordinary as water turned into wine. This sign points to His role as the true bridegroom of the Church, demonstrating His abundant love and provision. God’s glory is revealed in simple, everyday things, showing that His grace is not just sufficient but overflowing. Miracles and worship are not just for spectacle but to strengthen faith. Like the disciples who believed after witnessing this sign, we are invited to trust in Jesus, who provides more than we need and reveals God’s abundant grace to us.
Clothed in Christ
As people who have been clothed with the love of Christ in baptism, we are called to live in that love every day. Christmas is a great reminder of that love, but how can we carry the joy of Christmas into every day? In Christ, we are clothed with compassion, freed by forgiveness, and we persevere in peace.
The gift of grace
On this special day, we celebrate the gift of grace. God’s saving grace, revealed to us in this baby born in Bethlehem, is the greatest gift we could ever receive. God’s grace appeared to save us. God’s grace renews and transforms us. God’s grace gives us hope for our future.
The Magnificat
Advent is a season of waiting, but in this final week, our anticipation turns to joy and proclamation. Mary’s song, the Magnificat, offers a profound glimpse into how God works through humble people to fulfill His promises. Her words invite us to magnify the Lord and to live in alignment with God’s transformative vision for the world.
Preparing with purpose
In the years and months before Jesus’ arrival in the world, John the Baptist preaches with intensity and urgency, but his words are a call to a real, joyful transformation. Today, John lays out for us three ways to prepare this Advent with purpose: through repentance, generosity, and hope.
The dawn of a new day
During long nights with a baby that just won’t sleep, it can be difficult to see the end of it. But, when the dawn starts to break, there is hope that it’ll all be OK. There will still be a new day in front of us. There will be a tomorrow, and there is a chance it’ll be better than today was. This is the kind of hope that Jesus brings into the world.
Living in hopeful anticipation
Advent begins with the theme of anticipation—not just for Christmas, but for the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. In a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty, Christ calls us to live in hopeful anticipation as we watch for His redemption.
The Lord reigns
God’s people can live with complete confidence in our Lord’s complete authority over all things, His redemptive work which we are privileged to participate in, and His return as judge and king over all the world.
Confidence in calamity
Because of Christ, we have confidence in God’s presence, we hold firmly to the hope we have because it is a sure hope, and that meeting together as God’s people is critical as we daily live out our faith.
Less is more
Our world says more is more. Our culture says more is more. Churches can say more is more. It’s pretty hard to swim against such a strong tide, yet that is exactly what Jesus calls us to today. He says: less is more.