Monthly Archives: December 2014

Born of the Virgin Mary

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Virgin Mary Stained Glass

“Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary”

At the heart of the Christian faith is the mystery and miracle of Christmas, the miracle of the virgin birth testifying to the mystery of the incarnation (Barth). God has come to us as one of us. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the new creation, the turning of the ages. It is wholly a work of grace, a work of God, a sign and a miracle of new life.

The miracle and the mystery continues in our life as well. Just as the Holy Spirit came upon and overshadowed Mary bringing forth a new and miraculous life, so the same Spirit of grace visits us, “for with God, nothing shall be impossible; be it unto me according to your Word” (Luke 1:37-38).

The grace of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you this Christmas and always.

Heaven Sent…

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Heaven SentLast week was tough – Sydney, Cairns, Peshawar – tragic and terrible events which left me angry, sad, praying “Come, Lord Jesus…”

At the same time I have been listening to some Christmas albums, including one recorded by the talented crew at Lesmurdie Baptist a few years back entitled Heaven Sent. That is what Christmas is all about – about the gift heaven has sent to us. So much of what happens in the world cries out that God is absent, God is un-real, God does not care. Yet Heaven Sent God’s own Son, Emmanuel, God-with-us.

These carols, so familiar that we are tempted to neglect their incredible claim, remind us that God has not forsaken or forgotten us, but has come to us, forgiven us, made promise to us.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight …
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

Church Dogmatics Digital Edition on Sale

Books,

Church Dogmatics Study EditionHurrah, I am back online, and to celebrate, I will announce a special offer…

Thanks, Allen Browne, for alerting me to the Logos sale of Church Dogmatics at HALF PRICE  (US$250) until the end of December.  The advantage of this particular edition of the Church Dogmatics is that everything is translated. I have the standard 14-volume set which is great. But all the Greek is still Greek; all the Latin is still Latin, French, French, etc. Only the German was translated into English! In this edition, the original texts are still in their original language, but translations are provided in the footnotes, which is tremendously helpful, especially when he starts citing Aquinas at length, or Basil, etc, etc.