Drew Downs
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High-Tops
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5 min read
When someone speaks of their desire to put the Christ back into Christmas, I like to ask which part of Christ is missing: the revolutionary or sacrificial? The Christmas Story is told in the stories of giving shoes and coins Christmas III | John 1:1-14 Several years ago, when my daughter was very young she…
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In the Dark
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8 min read
Like our Celtic ancestors, we gather in the dark, in our greatest darkness to be present to the light–because this is how light is best known. Christmas II | Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 Tonight we gather like our Celtic ancestors did long, long ago. On the third day after the winter solstice, they’d gather for the…
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From the Darkness Comes a Great Light
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5 min read
In the sharing the Christmas story, we’re invited to begin with what we’d avoid. We begin in darkness so we can see how bright the light is. preparing the whole story Christmas I | Luke 2:1-14(15-20) Tonight we gather at the setting sun like our Celtic ancestors did long, long ago. They would gather at…
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Magnifying God
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8 min read
There’s a way we turn Mary into a stock character for the plot rather than the key to understanding who Jesus is supposed to be for us. How Mary helps us better see what God is doing Advent 4B | Luke 1:26-38 This morning I remind you that it isn’t yet Christmas! The sun has…
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The Last Jedi – The Age of the Force
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9 min read
‘The Last Jedi’ is both a radical departure and totally orthodox Star Wars movie. And if we’re honest with ourselves, it reveals what we always wanted. [There are Spoilers. Of course. But mild. So proceed with caution.] When I was 5, I wanted to be a Jedi. Jeff was Luke Skywalker for Halloween that year…
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Rethink the Gospel for Advent 4B – Who is Mary?
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5 min read
Advent 4B | Luke 1:26-38 Who is Mary? This time of year, everybody’s talking about her. Countless pieces are written, diagnosing her history and declaring her purpose. Many are bent on defending her virginity and others exposing her age. And much like the priests and Levites last week, we’re all trying to figure out how…