Peter addresses his letter to exiles, in this case literally. But he writes knowing that all Christians are strangers in a strange land. In this brief opening, Peter reminds his recipients who they are: those known by God, set apart by the Spirit...

Christ took on our life that we might live by his. The grace that appeared on Christmas day was the grace of the Holy Spirit, making us alive and renewing us. We were heirs only to death, but Christmas is the news that God is good and loving, and will...

This week we begin a short Christmastide series on the appearing of our Lord. Titus refers to two appearances of God in history: the first as an appearance of his grace, the next an appearance of his glory. With Christmas, God revealed his intention...

An old man nearing death, Simeon discovers the infant Christ with his parents in the Temple. The sight of this baby is the sight of salvation itself. In this moment, Simeon's life is fulfilled and he can "depart in peace," leaving...

The song of the angels comes at the end of their announcement of the coming of Christ. The shepherds are told where to find the long awaited Lord, visiting his people. Once the message has been given, the angelic armies erupt into praise. The sum...

In the Song of Zechariah, known as the Benedictus, Zechariah rejoices before the Lord in the birth of John. Zechariah sees that John is destined for great things, but only as a preparation for greater things: the dawn visiting from on high. John is...

This Sunday we begin a new series on the prayers of Luke's Nativity story. Redemption comes to the world and is welcomed by a humble group of witnesses: a quiet, simple carpenter, his virgin wife-to-be, an aging priest and his barren wife, poor...

Psalm 72 is spoken as a blessing over the king succeeding to the throne of David. The most immediate king in mind may be Solomon, but the blessings pronounced by the psalm border on the supernatural. It is expected that the crowds should cry...

Another psalm of deliverance gives us a glimpse into the mind of Messiah. The author of Hebrews tells us that here in this psalm we see Christ poetically offering himself to the Lord as a sacrifice. The words of David meant more than he could have...

Once again, we see the figure of David delivered from death and brought into the fullness of joy. The apostles recognized that the language of this psalm is far too extravagant to be describing just any old rescue. They saw it fulfilled in the...