Lent is a practice of pouring myself out. An act of emptying out all I have collected in my heart.
Well, at least this is what I am praying for: that I might pour myself out before God and the World, and then be filled up through the promise of Easter.
Read MoreBut the angel said to them,
‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’
—Luke 2:10
May the Good News of Jesus be great joy for you and our world. Christmas peace,
—Bishop Deborah Hutterer and the Grand Canyon Synod office staff
Read MoreIn her December column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that the cross is the true gift of Christmas: “All of our Christmas glorias are realized in Jesus’ glorification on the cross. We have peace. We have hope. We are loved. And not just at Christmas.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3suio95 and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/32hG0mz.
Read MoreJoin us as Bishop Eaton discusses her family’s nativity scene traditions and offers a prayer for your family’s nativity scenes.
Read MoreWhen I first saw this image I felt a wave of release of personal judgement and connection to these two women, a wave full of humanness and grace.
It felt like the meeting of the selves, for me, almost in the way Martin Luther speaks about each person being concurrently Sinner and Saint.
Read MoreIn July of 2021, the American Indian/Alaska Native Lutheran Association (AIANLA) asked the whole ELCA to remember and lament the children who died in Indian boarding schools in the United States and residential schools in Canada.
As the church observes the Feast of the Holy Innocents*, the Saint Paul Area Synod, the Minneapolis Area Synod, and the Advocates for Racial Equity offer this service of prayer and lament (on Vimeo) for use by individuals and congregations.
Read MoreThe Lutheran World Federation’s Hymns of Advent and Christmas continues with offerings from around the world: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana, "Re tsamaya Lesedingla Modimo" ("Walk in the Light of God"); Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana, "Come O Come, Emmanuel"; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, "How Beautiful"; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, "Veni, veni Emmanuel"; Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia, "Bella María"; Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, "E Dhorom Isại Hoṛ"; Malagasy Lutheran Church, "Fa zaza no teraka" ("A child is born to us"); Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, "Il est né le divin enfant" ("A Divine Child is Born").
Read MoreWe are nearing the end of Advent and the start of that special holiday, Christmas. In the United States, stores have been filled with seasonal music for six months now (it feels that way, at least), garlands and lights are draped over homes and lampposts, and pine trees are adorned with baubles of all shapes and sizes. In many countries, Christmas markets have taken over city squares. As the old carol says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Read MorePastor Dan Valasakos, synod council member and pastor at Mount Zion Lutheran in Tucson, shares a book of Advent daily devotions. Each devotions is accompanied with watercolor illustrations by Valaskos. The book is available on the Mount Zion website through these links: Advent Devotional - Daily Advent Meditations, Advent Devotional Printable Booklet (print two sided -flip at short side).
Read More'It also feels like a particularly good year for Advent. It feels like, this has been a whole Advent year, a whole Advent two years,' said The Porter’s Gate founder. Read the article from Religion News Service.
Read MoreThis is our second pandemic Christmas and there's so much that's broken in this world, so much that tells us, “Why have hope? Just give up.” But we have a hope that's stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read MoreRight off the bat we see why Hallmark has a robust industry in Christmas cards and not Advent cards. “Happy Advent, You Brood of Vipers” might not sell too well as a holiday card, but these words are certainly a wake-up call for the audience of John the Baptizer.
Read MoreThe Protestant Christian Batak Church presents "Give Thanks", featuring the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) Department of Diakonia, Indonesia.
Read MoreThe Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras presents "Tiempo de Esperanza" ("Time of Hope").
Read MoreThe Nepal Evangelical Lutheran Church presents "Wake and look toward the new star," featuring the Biratnagar Congregation.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren presents "Boha Otce všichni chvalme" ("All praise God the Father"), featuring Ladislav Moravetz.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Chile presents "Gloria a Dios" ("Glory to God"), featuring Santiago Synod Iglesia Evangélica Luterana El Redentor.
Read MoreThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania presents "Krisztus Urunknak áldott születésén" ("On the birth of our Lord Christ") featuring the Mátka Folk Group.
Read MoreLutheran Summer Music is pleased to share a musical selection every day of Advent, from favorite LSM performances to brand new recordings submitted by alumni, faculty, and friends. Follow the calendar in real time on the LSM Website for a moment of music and reflection each day until December 24th!
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