Waiting in Jerusalem
Voices of Faith

Waiting in Jerusalem

At 15 and 13 years old, my children still wait and expect the gifts they requested for Christmas. With each passing year, they are almost sure they’ll get what they…
Drawing near to the darkness at Advent
Mission & Ministry

Drawing near to the darkness at Advent

Editor’s note: Martin Luther famously said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 53). The ELCA still holds tightly to Luther’s understanding. In this series, we’re exploring…
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Mission & Ministry

Finals week solace

From soup to puppies, Lutheran campus ministries are being creative when it comes to finals week stress relief. At the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, it’s “Finals Week Hospitality”; at Indiana…
Christmas story, song and spirit
Living Faithfully

Christmas story, song and spirit

Now that our son Jack is nearly 2 and communicating using words and phrases, my husband and I have been pondering how we’ll teach him about Advent and Christmas. Last…
The story behind “Unexpected and Mysterious”
Mission & Ministry

The story behind “Unexpected and Mysterious”

Editor’s note: Martin Luther famously said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 53). The ELCA still holds tightly to Luther’s understanding. In…
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Voices of Faith

What biblical scholars don’t do

Most of us in the religion business can relate to this scenario: you are on a plane and end up sitting next to someone who asks you, “What do you…
3 songs, 2 themes, 1 awe-inspiring Messiah
Voices of Faith

3 songs, 2 themes, 1 awe-inspiring Messiah

One of my favorite parts of Advent and Christmas are the songs. I especially like “We Three Kings” because it describes Jesus’ life, death and resurrection from the point of…
Come, thou unexpected Jesus
Voices of Faith

Come, thou unexpected Jesus

I was dreading Christmas. As a pastoral intern serving across the country from my family, I didn’t have the money or time to make it home for the holiday. My…
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Living Faithfully

Wrestling with faith

Everyone  belongs in The Tribe. Anyone belongs in The Tribe.  No matter who they are, where they come from or how they’re feeling, The Tribe welcomes them. It’s the group’s guiding…
Surrendering
Voices of Faith

Surrendering

I’ve always wondered why so many people flocked out to see John the Baptist in the wilderness. Studying in Chicago many summers ago, I regularly encountered a wild-looking guy on…