Monday, December 1, 2025

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we, too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

Romans 6: 4 reminds us that we will be raised from the dead through the glory of the Father. But what does that mean in everyday terms? I believe that these words represent not just the end of our lives, but the manifestation of something beautiful in our souls to nurture in the present. 

For me, Rosemary Trommer expresses this well in a poem she wrote called “Little Explorer”; here it is:

To walk in the woods is a kind of prayer.

Come in on quiet feet and feel how you are not alone.

The golden trees are full of eyes. What are those sounds you cannot name?

Whatever is untamed inside you sings along.

Dwarfed by awe, you might feel small, but the song says, You are all.

God of heaven and earth, we give thanks for the resurrection of Jesus, and for the new life you’ve given us. May the untamed spirit inside us sing along, reminding us that we are your beloved - we are all. Amen.

Sylvia Havlish is grief counselor for Lutheran Congregational Services, and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Emmaus

Sunday, November 30, 2025

That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  John 17:21

In Chapter 17 of the book of John, Jesus calls for unity and protection for all present and future believers. 

This first reflection here, in a way, serves as an editor’s note. 

In the devotions that follow you’ll find voices of lay people, pastors, executives, counselors, and Reverend Doctors; all of us probably consider ourselves just regular people. Some of us write for a living, others of us find the act of writing a spiritual reflection way out of our comfort zones. A wide variety of traditions are represented here too – Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and more. 

It is my prayer that as together we read through these devotions this Advent, that we will see each other as children of the same heavenly father, and each one of us a unique expression of our Creator. 

You may also notice that in some cases there is more than one reflection on the same Bible passage! This was not necessarily by design but personally I really like to read the ways different writers point us to different insights.

Loving Creator, Emmanuel, you are with us always. Give us the faith and awareness of your presence, especially in the moments when we find ourselves most fraught. Bless all who contributed and all who will read these sincere reflections in the coming weeks in our journey to Christmas. Amen

Julia Frank is Director of Community Outreach, Liberty Lutheran and Lutheran Congregational Services