by Peter James | Dec 13, 2024 | Johannes Bugenhagen
The bubonic plague struck with force in Wittenburg, Germany in 1527. Wittenburg University faculty and many prominent citizens relocated to safer areas. Reformer Martin Luther was one of the lone holdouts who decided to stay put and sent a pastoral letter to...
by Peter James | Dec 12, 2024 | Ethelwold
Nativity plays for children have long been a staple of churches during the Christmas season. I participated in nativity dramas as a child. I was never chosen to play the lead role of Joseph since I couldn’t be trusted to remain at Mary’s side through the...
by Peter James | Dec 11, 2024 | Cyril Winterbotham
Connie Ruzich was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to research lesser-known poetry written in England during World War I. The irony is not lost on me that soldiers endeavored to write beautiful poems despite the ravages of war. One poem Connie researched in recent...
by Peter James | Dec 10, 2024 | Veit Dietrich
John’s gospel doesn’t commence with a baby in a manger or angels singing glory to God, or shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. John’s starting point is creation itself, “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1.2). Genesis begins...
by Peter James | Dec 9, 2024 | Gerald Manley Hopkins
We need to talk about depression during Advent. December brings diminishing daylight and colder temperatures to drive us indoors. Add to it unrealistic expectations about Christmas or nostalgia about holidays from long ago. Despite the traditional song,...
