Author: Drew Downs

  • The Common Favor of God

    The Common Favor of God

    In Mary, we have the example of the common and uncommon—and we are invited to reflect on what it means to be favored by God.

  • With us—when God joins us here

    With us—when God joins us here

    In Christmas, we celebrate the incarnation of Christ. What that means to us, however, requires us to think about our world.

  • Between Advent 3 and 4 and Christmas (Year B)

    Between Advent 3 and 4 and Christmas (Year B)

    The lectionary jumps a lot in these seasons. This jump takes away one of Luke’s best stories for describing the place of the Incarnation.

  • Testifying to the Light

    Testifying to the Light

    John the Baptist wrestles with the expectations others have. He isn’t the one they are waiting for. But he is helping them to see.

  • 100 things that made my year (2023)

    100 things that made my year (2023)

    A collection of things that made this year cool, from vacations, things learned, to new things done. All wrapped up in one.

  • Why Our Brains Are Broken

    Why Our Brains Are Broken

    Episode 58 of the Make Saints podcast

  • More John the Baptist

    More John the Baptist

    While figuring out what more to say about John the Baptist in Advent, we may first want to address the elephant in the living room.

  • More Light—for Advent 3B

    More Light—for Advent 3B

    As we hear again from John the Baptist, we’re invited to explore his purpose (and ours) in light of the one who is to come again.