At the wedding in Cana Jesus used everyday things and everyday people to give a sign that a new age had come to the world, and that God was in our midst. The waters of obligation became a drink of celebration, a sign that God truly does transform a new life out of the old. Jesus tells us not to worry: that there is more than enough of the best wine, of God's love, for everyone.

The Gospel reference is John 2:1-11.

We must always remember that God works outside our expectations. Just as the faith of the Magi called them to Bethlehem to see God in the infant Jesus, so too can any seeker find their way to the manger.

Luke's Gospel reminds us that the Holy Family was still very much a human family; we don't have to go searching for Jesus, because Jesus is always with us. While we often think that God is not there unless we need Him, we need to remember that God is always in the room whether we see Him or not. We can learn to see God more clearly, more easily, with just a little practice.

The Gospel reference is Luke 2:41-52.

Our words can help or harm, nurture or hurt, raise up or tear down. The Word of God, the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, brings comfort, inspiration, and ultimately transformation and salvation.

At Emmanuel's Christmas Eve family service, Pastor Andria and the children of Emmanuel share with us the Christmas story, reminding us that the infant Jesus was not only a gift to Mary and Joseph but also God's gift to the whole world.

God staked everything on His profound capacity to see the good in His creation by sending His only Son, Jesus, to show us a way back from Darkness to Light. Faced with all the trials in our society and in our lives, now more than ever we can pray,"God, show me the goodness here, and help me to see it always."

The Gospel reference is Luke 2:1-20.

Dent Davidson, missioner for liturgy and the arts in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, tells us how The Song of Mary describes the very nature of a God who loves us beyond our wildest dreams. A God who chooses song, and babies, to change the world and our view of it.

The Gospel reference is Luke 1:39-45.

John the Baptist told the people to take his lessons home and to live their lives justly, ethically, and generously. Part of what John was saying is that we too can prepare the way for Christ in how we act in our lives, with truth, compassion, justice, and mercy.

The Gospel reference is Luke 3:7-18.

Fr. David Beauvais, former pastor of St. James Church, shares with us the mission of John the Baptist and what it means for us today. As John, in quoting Isaiah, called the Jewish people to prepare for the coming of Christ, we are called to prepare ourselves to receive God in our lives through Christ.

The Scripture references are Malachi 3:1-4 and Philippians 1:3-11. The Gospel reference is Luke 3:1-6.

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, tells us our Christian faith is not about escaping, but engaging. Through our baptism and our Eucharist we are called to pay closer attention to the world around us, not as people lost in our fears but committed to meeting them with our faith in Christ.

The Gospel reference is Luke 21:25-36.