Podcasts about advent dec

God loves you so very much, and He has a plan for your life and your relationship with Him that He has had in the works since the foundations of the world, when you were only a twinkle in His eye. Join us as we celebrate the remarkable Love of God. On the podcast, we've been walking through the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise as a meditation on the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and now Love. On the fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 21), we light all four candles. Christmas is almost here!! On Christmas Day, we encourage you to complete the Advent celebration with the lighting of the Christ Candle, which you can place at the center of your wreath. Join us on the trail as we wrap up the Advent series with a look at the remarkable love of God and as we celebrate some 2025 highlights and pray for our community. Grab your Bible and linger with us over the Binding of Isaac and the Message of Christmas (Gen 22) and meditate on the Gospel of Love given to us (Gal 3:8; Jn 15:13; Rom 8:32).Finally, wow, what a robust year 2025 has been! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the journey – from prayer partners, to financial partners, to volunteers and beyond! Thank you for prioritizing your heart and the hearts of those around you as you cultivate a deeper walk with God. May you, being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ who dwells in you, be filled with all the fullness of God. (See Eph 3:14-20.) Merry Christmas!Soli Deo GloriaStephanie Warner P.S. This is the last episode of 2025. We'll be taking a break over the holidays and be back with you in January. The plan is to kick off the OTT year on January 12th, but stay tuned to our socials. Stephanie will communicate via OTT's Instagram (@onthetrail_podcast) especially if there are updates for the release schedule and such.

Did John the Baptist doubt who Jesus was? What about us? Do we have the right focus during the Advent season? Listen to my homily to find answers to some of these questions and further insights on how we might answer the others.

On the third Sunday of Advent (Dec 14), we anticipate celebrating the incarnation with Joy. This year, we're looking at Advent through the lens of the Abrahamic Covenant of Promise. We remember this covenant with an acorn, because it's a big seed. The lid of the acorn represents three key blessings promised to Abraham — a seed (offspring), land, and relationship with God.The point of the acorn represents the point of the covenant, a blessing through Abraham that "all nations will be blessed through you"(Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8, etc.). This is the promise of Christ, the 'reason for the season.' As we dwell on 'Joy,' we reflect on the seed promised to Abraham. Isaac's name literally means "he laughs." God had plans for Abraham's household as a family unit and as a legacy that would usher in THE seed, Jesus Christ, who has us singing Joy to the World to this day and forevermore.Joy is a relational experience that connects us to God and others. The Abrahamic Covenant symbolizes God's promise of this belonging. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the recurring theme of belonging in such refrains as "I will be your God, and you will be My people" (Gen 17:7; Exo 6:7; Deu 29:13; Jer 30:22, etc.).How does this sense of belonging inform our sense of joy? Is there a difference between relational and spiritual joy? How can we meditate on and cultivate more joy during this Advent season?God not only desires a people for Himself but even invites us into a joyful relationship with Him and with each other. May you experience the JOY of belonging to our God this season. Thank you for joining us - father-daughter duo Marcus Warner and Stephanie Warner - on the trail to a deeper walk with God!

From the root of Jesse and fruitful life. Father Danny Herman delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

Peace — Advent Week 2 | Philippians 2:12–18 In this Advent sermon, Pastor Ryan explores what it means to shine like stars in the world as Paul writes in Philippians 2. Through the biblical vision of Advent, we discover that Jesus is not only the Light who came and the Light who will come again—He is the Light who is still present now through His people. This message unpacks the deep, ancient concept of shalom—not just the absence of conflict, but the restoration of God’s full tapestry of harmony in all relationships: with God, with one another, and with creation itself. As we celebrate Advent, we learn how Christ’s “strange light” shines through us through humility, unity, sacrifice, and courageous peacemaking. If you’re longing for the peace Jesus brings—or wondering how His light can shine through your everyday life—you’ll be encouraged, challenged, and invited into something bigger than yourself.

Peace — Advent Week 2 | Philippians 2:12–18 In this Advent sermon, Pastor Ryan explores what it means to shine like stars in the world as Paul writes in Philippians 2. Through the biblical vision of Advent, we discover that Jesus is not only the Light who came and the Light who will come again—He is the Light who is still present now through His people. This message unpacks the deep, ancient concept of shalom—not just the absence of conflict, but the restoration of God’s full tapestry of harmony in all relationships: with God, with one another, and with creation itself. As we celebrate Advent, we learn how Christ’s “strange light” shines through us through humility, unity, sacrifice, and courageous peacemaking. If you’re longing for the peace Jesus brings—or wondering how His light can shine through your everyday life—you’ll be encouraged, challenged, and invited into something bigger than yourself.

Toshi JamangAdvent SeriesDecember 7th, 2025

When a relationship is wounded or broken, it's good to be reconciled. The same is true with our relationship with God and He gives us the great gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to be healed. Listen to my homily learn more!

Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email.

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Oregon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/support

Awesome, an encounter, and trusting in the Lord's promise. Father David Boettner delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

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Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email.

When we recognize the Lord's presence and that He's at work in our lives, then we can call that a God moment. We could have many God moments throughout our day and the more we recognize them the easier it is for us to be aware of His presence, build up our faith, and help us in our relationship with the Lord. Listen to my homily to learn more.

The Collect and Psalm will be read from The Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer The Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel will be read from the World English Bible The Collect: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your … Continue reading → The post Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 15 appeared first on Sunday's Lectionary.

Exile and the path back home. Father David Boettner delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

What do we do as the darkness envelops us? Bishop Mark Beckman delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Oregon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/support

First Sundayof Advent. Our Lord calls us to be prepared, not only for His second coming at the end of time when He comes in glory, but also when He comes to us at the celebration of Christmas. Listen to my homily to learn about some ways we can prepare for His coming.

Advent is about the “coming days.” God's people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus' contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

The earthquakes of life and saying yes to God. Father Marcin Gladysz delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email. 

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Oregon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/support

In this homily given on the Third Sunday of Advent (Dec 17 2023), Fr. Mathias exhorts us to rejoice at the coming of Jesus. After noting that deep abiding Christian joy is a gift from God, that it is a fruit of the Spirit that is borne by us when we are rooted in Christ, Father also describes joy as the soul's response to the presence and action of God not unlike Mary's response in the Magnificat. In order to pursue joy this Christmas, Father challenges us to focus on God's personal love for us, not our circumstances. After all, God's love doesn't depend on our circumstances. When we realize how personal his love for us is, it not only puts our circumstances in perspective, it also enables us to live in the joy of being desired, known and loved by God.

Rejoice always, even when it's not easy. Father Marcin Gladysz delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

What a joyful morning! Not only were we able to witness six people declare in front of their church family that they believe in and will follow Jesus throughout their lives, but we also received the blessing of hearing from our friend Pastor Steve as he continued our series, Honest Advent. Today we stared together at Fatherhood.There are desires and expectations we have of our earthly Fathers. We want them to be present, loving, even corrective. It's a desire that is within us all. And yet, when our Fathers don't meet these expectations, there's a sense of longing, even disappointment. Often, these feelings are transferred and projected onto God. Feelings and beliefs that we need to work in order to get attention from God, that He is uninterested in us, that God is cruel or critical, or that God is absent and inaccessible. What advent shows us, is that God loves us so much, his desire to be with us so great, He comes to us. He enters the mess, vulnerability, and brokenness of humanity to be with us. Advent is proof that there is nothing God won't do to bring us back to Him. And in the mess of our daily lives, He continues to invite us into relationship, healing, and wholeness in Him.Pastor Steve extended three invitations to us today:Invitation into relationship with God. A prayer you can pray: Jesus, I trust with you my life.Invitation to healing. A prayer you can pray: Jesus, I give you my _____ today.Invitation to action. A prayer you can pray: Jesus, I'm here. Show me where you can use me.

St. Paul tells us to rejoice always to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances. But how can we do that if we're struggling, if we're suffering, especially from the loss of a loved one? Listen to my homily to learn more about these things.

Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email. 

Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email. 

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fr-john-boyle/support

Role models of preparation: Mary, Joseph, and John the Baptist. Father Marcin Gladysz delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

What a blessing to hear from Danny this morning as he continued our series, Honest Advent. Our goal in this series is to consider the humanity of Christmas. Today we paused and stared at three words: she gave birth. Those three words carry significant meaning. Birth is vulnerable, messy, complicated, stressful, painful, risky, and always traumatic to some extent.If Jesus, God in human likeness, was willing to submit himself to the mess and risk and vulnerability of childbirth, let alone the dependency of a child, he's undoubtedly willing to enter into the rest of the mess of humanity. The mess that we wade through every day: broken relationships, self-doubt, fear, anxiety, pain, sorrow.“She gave birth” sets the tone for the rest of Jesus' story and it is why the words in Matthew 1:23 are so important. “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Matthew's use of Immanuel links back to the prophecy of Isaiah and isn't used for anyone else. It is only used of Jesus and means "God with us." This says that we have a God who has experienced what we have, or are, experiencing. It means we can go through pain knowing the pain is temporary because the God who broke through and became like us, loves us. He's been there and one day, in this lifetime or the next, he will take all the pain away. While we wait, "she gave birth" reminds us that Jesus came as one of us, for us. As Scott Erikson writes, “A saving way came into the world just like we did - in all its goopy humanity. A birth is a rite of passage in human vulnerability…The Christ was born of blood – like we are. The Christ partook in the powerless vulnerability of coming into the world naked and weak – like we often still feel. That the Christ was born into the muck of human biology, which we seem to wade through for the rest of our lives.”  This Christmas, may "she gave birth" remind us Jesus came as one of us, for us. The invitation of the reality of the doctrine of incarnation is that anything is possible. That is the honesty of Christmas.

Listen to what it was like for me to go back to confession, after having been away for several years. Confession is a great gift away for us to say we're sorry to God and receive his merciful forgiveness. Let us consider the opportunity is available to us to go to confession this advent season.

Listen to St. Anne's Sunday sermon. Watch a video of this service HERE.  Gifts and donations can be made HERE.  Click to stay connected with our weekly email. 

In this homily given on the First Sunday of Advent (Dec 3 2023), Fr Mathias preaches on being watchful and awake for the coming of Christ upon our own death when each of us will be judged by Christ on our love.  The biggest temptation to spiritual sleepiness is a kind of worldliness that is nothing other than a self-absorbed rejection of God and his call to love that blinds us to the value of eternity.  Since being worldly usually involves some sort of deception or trickery and since we don't know when we will die, we need to stay awake in our faith and the call to love.  Fr Mathias ends his homily by challenging everyone to live as if this is the last day of our lives and offers some ways of living in the present moment.  If we're living as if every day is our last and we're alive in Christ, then the coming of Jesus at our death is a joyful time of reward for having faith in Christ and entry into eternal life.

This Sunday is the start of the new Church year, which begins in the season of Advent. For our three Sunday's of Advent (Dec 3, 10, and 17), we will locating ourselves in a series we're calling Come Lord Jesus. As Advent anticipates Christmas, so to will each of our Sunday's urge us in anticipation of the coming of Christ in our lives. We begin this Sunday with a look at the landscape of darkness with ‘Christ is Coming'.

A time of preparation, not celebration. Father Marcin Gladysz delivers the homily at the 9 a.m. Mass at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tenn.

This morning Kristi continued our series as we stared together at the mother of Jesus and the idea of motherhood to see how this binds us together with Jesus in our shared humanity. In the Advent story, we see an angel go to Mary and tell her that she will conceive and bear a son. Mary then asks the angel a question, "How?" While on the surface it seems as though Mary is asking a purely practical question of how this will be, a deeper question also seems possible. This is the first glimpse we get of Mary stepping into motherhood as she wonders “How can this be? And how can this be that I am enough?"The angel Gabriel responds to Mary's question of “how” with words that answer both the logistical and heart perspectives. The conception will take place through the Holy Spirit coming upon Mary. The promise of the Most High overshadowing Mary brings the answer her heart needs to hear. Through Gabriel, God reassures Mary that His power will overshadow her. God will hover. God will protect. Mary doesn't have to be enough, because God is more than enough.When we ask the question "Are we enough?," our Heavenly Father provides His gentle response that, “no, we are not enough.” There is a second part to this answer that we cannot miss and we see it throughout scripture. We do not have to be, nor were we created to be enough on our own. We need our Father. We need our Savior. We need His Holy Spirit, because He is more than enough for all our needs. That means all of the fear, striving, wondering, hiding, pretending, and avoiding can all be brought to the feet of Jesus and left there. In return we can take up the knowledge that His grace is sufficient, His power is perfected in our weakness, and we acknowledge that through the humanity of a teenage mom, God revealed himself as our all-sufficient shepherd, the one who is more than enough.

Hunters and fishermen need to be prepared for hunting and fishing. They also need to wait and be patient because they don't know when the deer will come or the fish will take the bait. If they're not prepared, if they are not ready, then they won't have the desired outcome. We are called to be spiritually prepared to watch and wait for the coming of Christ. Listen to my homily to learn more.

No matter where you land on the when-is-it-acceptable-to-start-enjoying-christmas debate, the time has come that we can all enjoy the Christmas season together. We love Advent, and we love everything that December has to offer. Join Clayton, Chris, and Amy this week for this fun Habits and Holidays Episode that wraps up the year (get it... wraps?) and find a way to engage with God and one another in the last month of this year! Holi-yays or Holi-nays: Dec. 1 - Advent Blocks Begins! Dec. 3 - First Sunday in Advent Dec. 5 - International Volunteer Day Dec. 7 - Hanukkah begins Dec. 9 - Christmas Card Day Dec. 12 - Gingerbread House Day Dec. 13 - National Hot Cocoa Day Dec. 18 - Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day Dec. 20 - Go Caroling Day

Sunday Morning Sermon

Sunday Morning Sermon

Sunday Morning Sermon