Advent Devotions
All are invited as we Make Room this Advent season.
This is Easter Day
Today’s author is Prince of Peace’s Intentional Interim, Pr. Steve Sylvester.
Last week’s Monday Devotional was a message from Bishop Curry of the ELCA. I am happy you were given an opportunity to hear what he had to say. I am also happy that Easter is a season, as it gives me an opportunity to place before you one of my favorite poems. John Graber, a poet in the first congregation I served, in Pepin, Wisconsin, introduced me to Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Victorian poet who remained unpublished till 30 years after his death. I return to his poems often, and the poem below, “Easter,” is an every year read for me.
Break the box and shed the nard;
Stop not now to count the cost;
Hither bring pearl, opal, sard;
Reck not what the poor have lost;
Upon Christ throw all away:
Know ye, this is Easter Day.
Build His church and deck His shrine,
Empty though it be on earth;
Ye have kept your choicest wine—
Let it flow for heavenly mirth;
Pluck the harp and breathe the horn:
Know ye not ’tis Easter morn?
Gather gladness from the skies;
Take a lesson from the ground;
Flowers do ope their heavenward eyes
And a Spring-time joy have found;
Earth throws Winter’s robes away,
Decks herself for Easter Day.
Beauty now for ashes wear,
Perfumes for the garb of woe,
Chaplets for dishevelled hair,
Dances for sad footsteps slow;
Open wide your hearts that they
Let in joy this Easter Day.
Seek God’s house in happy throng;
Crowded let His table be;
Mingle praises, prayer, and song,
Singing to the Trinity.
Henceforth let your souls alway
Make each morn an Easter Day.
Previously…
The Holy Spirit
Today's author is Prince of Peace members, Michael Stetzler and Suzan Hurlbut. Luke 2:21-38 What are the odds? For well over a thousand years people like Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the messiah. What are the odds of being chosen to witness the...
A Light for All the Ages
The stories of Simeon and Anna that we heard yesterday remind us that God’s work often shines brightest through those who are overlooked. Simeon’s faithful waiting and Anna’s tireless devotion show that age is no barrier to bearing witness to God’s promises. These elders didn’t perform extraordinary acts; they simply showed up, paid attention, and proclaimed the truth when they saw it.
Faithful Waiting, Joyful Witness
We’ve spent the weeks leading up to Christmas revisiting Luke’s opening chapters and the ordinary people who have had the extraordinary thrust upon them. In this coming Sunday’s reading, we’ll meet Simeon and Anna, two ordinary yet faithful people who have spent their lives waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled.
Love is born! Come, share in the Wonder
Today's author is Prince of Peace member, Carol Swanson. pixabay.com The birth story of Jesus that Luke writes is so full of joy and peace, hope and love! It is the “overture” of the whole gospel. In this time of Christmas 2024, take time to read and ponder the...