How come nothing “epiphs” on Epiphany anymore? It was once one of the three major feast days of the early church and now we hardly notice it. What’s that about? What have we been missing? Watch and find out what rediscovering Epiphany might mean for us as individuals and as a church as we move into a new year and a new way of being in the world.
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on December 27, 2020.
Many of the Christmas classics describe the transformation of their characters. But there are only two where the transformation comes about through an encounter with Christmas itself. One begins, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” The other begins, “Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot.”
Text: Luke 2:1-12
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on December 20, 2020.
To celebrate the last week of Advent this coming Sunday, the sermon and children’s message have been combined into one. I’m still preaching, but there will be guest appearances by some very special Crawfordites—both human and non—to help get the point across. And if you’re watching, don’t just click off after the sermon. The special music toward the end is a carol written by Rev. John Grenfell, performed and turned into a beautiful video by Tallessyn Grenfell-Lee. And don’t click off after that either, so you can see the Crawford Christmas Card and my Christmas message to you all, mixed in with some photos of the church all lit up.
While we’re at it, don’t skip the beginning either. Helena’s preludes are not to be missed, and if you’re with us live on Zoom worship at 10:00 am, you might want to shut off your webcam during the opening video if you don’t want people to see you cry. So, yeah, watch the whole thing! And if you can join us at 10:00 am on Zoom, it would be great to see you. Invite your family from around the country; invite friends; bring the kids. It’s Christmas Sunday—and you can do it all without leaving the house.
Why did God broadcast the news about Jesus’ birth to shepherds? Why show the angel chorus and light show on the Shepherd Channel and not the Royalty Channel, the Temple Channel, or the local news? Because shepherds were the ones who would understand.
Text: Luke 2:8-16
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on December 13, 2020.
Chester, Bananabell, and Laaaaaambert were my three sheep. I’m not sure if having just three qualifies me to be a shepherdess, but across time you’ll hear the things I learned about biblical references to sheep and shepherding from my years with them. This Sunday I am turning my sheepishness toward some shepherds abiding in a field near Jerusalem on a night filled with angelic music and stars. Why did God choose shepherds for an audience? Join us Sunday at 10 am to find out.