When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would name her Son Jesus, meaning "God Saves", it was the most fitting name for the infant Savior. When we cry out to Him in prayer, is it not so that He will hear us and indeed come to our aid? When an infant is named at baptism, the child is named for all eternity and adopted as one of God's own. God knows us all by name, and desires that we live life fully and abundantly; we exist in this moment because God is thinking of us.

The Scripture references are Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 8:1,4-10, and Galatians 4:4-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 2:15-21.

Joseph probably had the dream for his life all mapped out: marriage to Mary, a family, a trade, to be a righteous follower of the Law, to grow old in peace and quiet. But when his dream changed, when all of his preconceived plans were turned on their head, it was his faith that allowed him to accept God's plan for him in place of that for which he had hoped. It is the moments when we have to let go of our dreams and plans and be ready to see God's hand in our lives, that are the most transformational. Knowing that God has promised to restore all things, we can trust that He will bring something life-changing and we will be closer to Him for it.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 7:10-16 and Romans 1:1-7. The Gospel reference is Matthew 1:18-25.

As Christmas draws nearer it's often easy to get caught up in all the celebration and forget the real reason we mark this time, the birth of Our Lord. In our excitement for Christ's coming let us not lose sight of the daily tasks that are part of cultivating Christian life. We do long for the coming of God's Kingdom, but there are endless opportunities to practice for it all around us. Be patient for the arrival of the Kingdom, and also with ourselves and each other.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 35:1-10 and James 5:7-10. The Gospel reference is Matthew 11:2-11.

Advent is the season of hope. Many things in our lives and in the world may lead us to doubt or despair, so we must always remember the essence of Advent: God becoming flesh to dwell among us, and His ongoing works of healing. We must not lose sight of the spirit of possibility, for with Christ all things are possible, even the healing of the divisions of this world. We are called to be prophets of hope in this world, to seek and serve Christ in one another and in everyone we meet.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72, and Romans 15:4-13. The Gospel reference is Matthew 3:1-12.

In our daily life we find innumerable fences that serve to separate us from each other and from the love of God. Race, political beliefs, personal opinions or prejudices can all act as wedges that keep us from truly knowing each other and learning all that we actually share in common. Even if we don't condone or didn't create the division, we can and must cross these spiritual fences to stand alongside each other in the belief that something good and redemptive will result. Just as Christ crossed that seemingly impenetrable barrier to stand with us his children, so as Christ in the world we are called to do likewise.

The Gospel reference is Luke 23:33-43.

As we study the Gospel of Luke, we are reminded time and again of stewardship as the best use of all our resources - our time, our talents, and our treasure - and a very practical way in which the Kingdom of God becomes a reality on earth. In the generosity of giving of our resources, our skills, and our possessions to the fullest extent we can, both rich and poor alike can effect real change in our Christian community, our city, and our nation. By this commitment to stewardship in common the looming, seemingly impossible problems we face become manageable and we draw closer to God and to one another.

The Scripture references are Job 19:23-27a, Psalm 17:1-9, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,3-17. The Gospel reference is Luke 20:27-38.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows how easily we fall into the trap of seeking validation by comparing ourselves to others. Rather thanking God for those things we have accomplished ourselves and looking for justification in them, look for God's goodness all around us, in those we meet, and in ourselves.

The Gospel reference is Luke 18:9-14.

When we look at the world around us it's easy to wonder of our prayers matter, or if they are even heard. In the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, Jesus tells us that we are to be like the widow in our prayers; fervent and steadfast, not in the assumption that they will be answered, but in the faith and knowledge that what we pray for is true and right and just. Pray in the direction that our hearts lead us, to the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth.

The Scripture references are Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 121, and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. The Gospel reference is Luke 18:1-8.

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, nine continued on with haste to show the priests they had been healed; what joy they must have felt, knowing that their lives had been returned and an entirely new future stretched before them. But the one who turned back to thank our Lord, the Samaritan who was doubly outcast as a foreigner and a leper, received much more. He received acknowledgement of his faith and the wholeness that faith brings. How often have we acted like the nine, accepting our blessings without so much as a thank you? Let us with faith emulate the Samaritan, and give our thanks to He who knows our needs and satisfies them.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Psalm111 : 1-4, 7-10, and 2 Timothy 2:8-15. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:11-19.

Many times we are just like the disciples, seeking for that which we already possess. As Jesus shows with the parable of the mustard seed, it's not how much faith we have that's important, but our willingness to trust that our faith is sufficient to accomplish all that He calls us to do. By choosing to follow Him, we acknowledge what Christ already knows: our faith will be there when we need it, and it will be enough.

The Scripture references are Habakkuk 1:1-4 & 2:1-4, Psalm 37:1-6, and 2 Timothy 1:1-7. The Gospel reference is Luke 17:5-10.