It Came Upon the Midnight Clear was written by Unitarian Minister Edmund Sears in 1849. Both angels and people do a lot of bending in that carol. Why? Why did they cut out the third stanza back in 1935? What did it say, and what might we gain if we put it back?
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on November 29, 2020.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear was written by Unitarian Minister Edmund Sears in 1849 while serving a parish in Wayland, MA. Both angels and people do a lot of bending in that carol. Why? And why did they cut out the third stanza back in 1935? What did it say, and what might we gain if we put it back?
Join us Sunday for the first Sunday of Advent and we’ll talk about the carol and what it might have to say to us today. And if you want to join in lighting the first candle of the Advent Wreath at home, have it ready and we can light it together. It’s the candle of Hope—one of the purple ones. Don’t have a wreath? That’s not a problem. Just grab a candle and lighter or a battery-powered candle and be ready to flip on the switch. The weary world needs the hope your light can bring.
This sermon brings us the intersection of a secular holiday (Thanksgiving) and a Christian Holy Day (Christ the King or the Reign of Christ). The first celebrates gratitude and the second the day when human power will give way to the rule of Christ in the realm of God. Viewed separately, each has its pitfalls. But when we look at the two days together—the holiday and the Holy Day—the key to protecting ourselves from both errors comes into view. Watch and learn about the humble mind of Christ.
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on November 22, 2020.
This Sunday brings us the intersection of a secular holiday (Thanksgiving) and a Christian Holy Day (Christ the King or the Reign of Christ). The first celebrates gratitude and the second the day when human power will give way to the rule of Christ in the realm of God.
Viewed separately, each has its pitfalls. Counting our blessings might make us think that they are an indication of God’s favor instead of tools for the work set before us. We might think ourselves more righteous—more deserving—than those who have less. And thinking of Christ’s ultimate reign of glory might leave us daydreaming about streets paved with gold and mansions on a hilltop instead of remembering that we are meant to build a world right now that is ready and willing to let justice reign.
But when we look at the two days together—the holiday and the Holy Day—the key to protecting ourselves from both errors comes into view. Join us Sunday to learn about the humble mind of Christ.
If there’s one thing that 2020 is asking of us, it’s to have courage. But how do we get there? Where does courage come from and how do we get it when we don’t feel like we have enough?
Texts: 1 John 4:18
This sermon was delivered to Crawford Memorial UMC by Rev. Anne Robertson on November 15, 2020.