Category: Morning Musings

Songs of the Season: Matthew 2:22-23

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“Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel,’ which is translated ‘God is with us.'” (CSB – Read the chapter)

The Advent season is probably my favorite time of the year with the possible exception of the first real onset of Fall. What makes the Advent season so special is its music. No other season has as much good and classic music associated with it as the season of Advent. The collection of songs it boasts isn’t necessarily all that numerous (unless you are comparing with any other season in which it dwarfs the competition), but the handful of songs are so good that everyone has done their own version of all of them. Indeed, of the making of Christmas albums there is no end. And while you can perhaps try to explain that from all sorts of different angles, without Jesus the songbook itself and a host of good recordings wouldn’t exist. He is inescapably the reason for the season. As has become our tradition around here, Fridays through the season of Advent are for celebrating this great music. We’ll start this week with a reasonably old recording of a music older song that I just recently discovered. Here is O Come, O Come, Emmanuel from the Punch Brothers.

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Advent Reflections: Colossians 3:1-4

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“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I read an article the other day that talked about how college students can’t read like they used to be able to read. I don’t mean they can’t read at all. I mean they can’t stay focused enough to read long passages or books anymore. The author blamed a combination of our digital age and shifting emphases in education for the deficit. Whatever the reason, we can’t stay focused like we used to anymore. This is not a neutral phenomenon either. It is a formational one. How can we combat the impact of our distractible age especially in this season when life can feel extra distracting? Paul offers some helpful insights here. Let’s talk about them.

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Advent Reflections: Matthew 2:10-12

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“When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

At one point in Jesus’ ministry, a group of mothers were attempting to bring their children to Jesus so He could bless them. The disciples started to scold them for interrupting their master when He was teaching. Jesus stopped what He was doing and immediately scolded the disciples. He told them to let the children come to Him because unless you come to Him as a child, you’ll never get to Him at all. That episode was far removed from the one we see in our passage here. The two scenes, though, are more connected than you might think. Let’s talk about why as we continue our Advent journey today.

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Morning Musing: Romans 10:17

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“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I have several gentlemen in my church who are members of Gideons International. Gideons members make for wonderful church members. They are faithful and committed believers who contribute powerfully to the Gospel work of the church. You may be more familiar with the Gideons for their efforts to distribute copies of the Scriptures to everyone, everywhere. You’ve probably stayed in a hotel with one of their Bibles in the nightstand drawer. Let’s talk about why their work matters so much.

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Morning Musing: John 8:31-32

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“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (CSB – Read the chapter)

There is a pulse of freedom that beats in every human heart. We weren’t made for slavery. And yet so many find themselves there. And I don’t just mean physical slavery. People are trapped by all sorts of different things…often in ways they don’t even realize or understand. And yet we know inside that something is keeping us from being able to do what we want. Then Jesus comes along promising freedom. Freedom comes with truth, but that idea comes with context. Let’s talk about it.

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