This Christmas reflection examines the crucial distinction between fleeting religious experiences and the enduring life of discipleship. Pastor Jeremy Berg contrasts the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to a singular moment of worship, with the Morning Star mentioned by Peter, which symbolizes the necessary, continuous rise of Christ within the believer’s heart. … More Two Stars: Super-Surrender to Supernova
Many of us are in danger of simply taking in these sights and sounds, and like the magi 2,000 years ago we must decide if we’re going to seek and discover for ourselves the greater reality to which all these shiny things ultimately point. Will we settle for the sparkle and shine that surrounds this season, or will we choose to look beyond them and follow their glow to the real thing? … More We Love Shiny Things
In this episode, Sarah and Doug unpack the key themes of my latest book now out just in time for the holidays. This Advent devotional is intended to help you pause and reflect on the state of your inner life as we approach the birth of Christ into our world of darkness. … More Podcast #213 – Contemplative Christmas
Are you ready to leave the noise of the election behind and move into the stillness and wonder Advent?Join us this Advent as we explore Zechariah being struck dumb, resulting in a forced silent retreat; ponder Elizabeth’s inner leaping, and wonder if our soul is more apt to leap, flee or slumber in God’s presence; marvel at Mary’s inner hospitality, and wonder what it means for us to cultivate an inner sanctuary for the dwelling of God. And more. … More A Contemplative Christmas
Christmas 2019 Christianity Today published a scorching editorial decrying Trump’s immoral character. The Christianity Today website “crashed” from all the traffic swarming to read it. I wondered why so many were caught up in Caesar’s politics the week our focus should be on the new politics born in Bethlehem’s manger. … More Trump, Evangelicalism, and the Kingdom
The week between Christmas and New Year’s gets many in the counting mood. Counting how many gifts we need to return. Counting how little money is left in the checking account. Counting how many cookie calories we’ve consumed. Counting how many pounds we need to shed when we hit the gym in the New Year. But it turns out that what we choose to count may tell you a lot about what we value. … More Counting on Christmas
“What if all of my quiet times with God could be so electric and real? What if my prayers felt less like a floppy paper airplanes crashing into the carpet, and more like bright bolts of lightning flashing across the sky?” … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 3: Dazzling Light
In this podcast series, see how the Beatitudes of the Kingdom were anticipated in the unlikely cast of characters who make up the Nativity Story. … More Advent Podcast Series
Amanda answered the phone to hear the voice of her great uncle on the other end. She is exhausted and at the end of her rope at work and the end of her patience at home.Uncle Eli and Aunt Sophia offer her a retreat at their cozy cabin on Mt. Mystic during the weeks leading up to Christmas. … More Christmas on Mount Mystic 1: Invitation
For me, Advent is a season tinged with awe and wonder, and the enemy is the tyranny of less important time commitments that steal all our time and prevent us from staring at the lights on the Christmas tree, pondering the Star of Bethlehem, imagining ourselves into the shoes of the shepherds and wise men, Mary and Joseph, and rediscovering the childlike wonder of the season. … More A Christmas Escape
This weekend I graduate from Northern Seminary as a Doctor of the Church specializing the historical context of the New Testament. This moment has been a long time in the making. Like 18 years! Here’s the story. … More Writing Your Dreams in Ink
Ebenezer Scrooge had a hard time grasping and embracing the spirit and message of Christmas. The rich and self-sufficient always do. Their own personal kingdoms loom so large that they have a hard time making room for God’s Kingdom—and all the poor and lowly riff-raff to whom it belongs. … More Blessed are the Poor Shepherds
Thirty years have passed since I sat on the garage roof staring up at the night sky. The worries and cares of a middle schooler have been upgraded to the burdens of a father, husband and pastor living in this current moment of darkness and fear. Perhaps, this Advent, you also feel like we’re sitting collectively on a cold and icy roof, staring up at the Heavens and badly need to hear these words this Advent: “The people sitting in a pandemic have seen a great light, and to those sitting in the land and shadow of covid, a light has dawned on them” (Matt 4:16). … More Boyhood Epiphany on a Garage Roof
Do you struggle to pray? Does your mind drift and wander off? Let’s turn one of the most familiar Scriptures of the Christmas season into a prayer. … More A Christmas Prayer (Isaiah 9:6)
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Andy Williams sings in the background while we scrap and scramble about, trying to hold ourselves together and not lose our minds in all the wonderful-ness. While many are weighed down by the external busyness of the season, I want to speak to those of us who … More Why ‘God-with-Us’ Seems Far Away
The Work of Christmas by Rev Dr Howard Thurman (1899-1981) When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To … More The Work of Christmas
Here’s the hauntingly beautiful ancient hymn we featured at our Christmas Eve service. Listen below after reading the words. O SAVIOR OF OUR FALLEN RACE Ancient Christmas Hymn, circa 6th Century O Savior of our fallen race, O Brightness of the Father’s face, O Son who shared the Father’s might Before the world knew day … More O Savior of Our Fallen Race
“Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.” “Only the humble … More QUOTABLES: Bonhoeffer & the Lowly Manger
This was passed along to me – a very powerful image to ponder in this season of waiting, expecting, longing and hoping for the Christ who steps into the Darkness of our fractured world. -JB From Ben Sternke: The painting below was created by Sister Grace Remington of Our Sister of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa. Try … More O Eve!
Perhaps we’ve let the graceless moralism of too many Santa songs taint our view of the One who truly comes to town on Christmas. For the miracle of the incarnation is for the naughty and nice. He’s already made His list and He’s checked it twice, and all are on it until we choose to reject His gift and thereby remove our own name from it. … More Scandalous Incarnation!
A friend passed this reflection on the Magi along to me. I’m not sure who wrote it but it’s a good challenge. -JB I can see you there, you scholar, you teacher of the law, with your important position in Herod’s court. Busy, busy, busy with the work of the day. The court stirs…a contingent … More Scholar or Magi?
We all have some explaining to do, and maybe some repenting. Here’s the deal. Imagine grandpa’s turning 100 years old, and you’ve spent countless days planning the most magnificent birthday celebration. Invitations have gone out to hundreds of guests. A towering cake and a great feast from renowned catering service has been ordered. The banquet … More Poor Grandpa’s Epiphany
“Do you hear what I hear?” Yep, if what you’re hearing is crying kids, a cranky parent (i.e, me), crowded malls and cringe-worthy Christmas tunes on the radio (you know, that one with all the synthesizers or the one that keeps repeating “Simmmmmply haaaaaaaving a wonderful Christmastime”). Let’s be honest, it’s hard to hear anything amidst … More Do You Hear What I Hear?
Christmas Eve is a great opportunity for churches to share the good news of the gospel with many unbelievers — sometimes hearing it for the first time. Pastors should give a clear invitation to respond in faith to the message of the gospel. I plan to do this. I can’t wait to do this! But there … More Relax Pastor, God Saves!
Martin Luff, the Deliberate Disciple (a great blog I recommend!), pointed out this great article by David Fitch about finding space in our busy lives to meet with God. This is especially timely for this season of Advent: Recently, I was meeting in the corner booth (of the local McDonald’s) with the men in my … More Bore the Hell out of ’em this Christmas
Jeremy L. Berg 