Chosen: Recent Episodes

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At DSBC, we believe that every generation matters in the life of the church. From toddlers to teenagers, young adults to grandparents, we are all part of the same body, called to worship, serve, and grow together. That’s why intergenerational ministry isn’t just something we do—it’s part of who we are.

Yes, we offer super fun kids' programming and dedicated spaces where young ones can engage with the Bible in age-appropriate ways. But beyond that, we want kids of all ages to know they belong in every space of our church. We believe church isn’t just for kids—it’s with kids. That’s why we’re intentional about creating opportunities where children, teens, and adults can learn from each other, serve alongside one another, and build relationships that span generations.

A key part of that is our Intergenerational Worship Services, held on the first Sunday of each month. During these gatherings, 1st graders through adults worship together in an interactive, engaging environment. And it’s not just about being in the same room, it's about serving together. On these Sundays, people of all ages are invited to serve: from the tech booth to the communion table, from the host team to the prayer team. We believe everyone has a gift to give, and everyone is invited to be part of what God is doing.

It worshiping and serving together also helps build relationships across the generations. One of the most significant factors in a child continuing in the faith into adulthood is this: five adults in the church know their name. Five adults who know them, see them, and invest in them. Intergenerational ministry helps make that possible.We are committed to partnering with parents and guardians in the discipleship journey. Whether you choose to worship as a family each Sunday or take advantage of our age-specific ministries for kids and students, we’re here to support and walk alongside you.

Together, let’s keep building a church where every generation is seen, known, and invited to lead.

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Together, we can build a loving community that disrupts complacency and fosters healing for the broken, which is all of us.Over the last few years, I have heard from hundreds of you that you’re part of DSBC because you share our core values and believe that God is doing something unique in and through our church. For a church that is almost 50 years old, it is encouraging to see how the fresh vision God has given to us is blessing our city and growing our church. One of the clearest ways this unique vision is expressed is when our community of misfits connects by worshiping, talking, praying, eating, and serving together. Our values are displayed when we live like Jesus with each other.But, let’s be real—like churches across the country, we’re not immune to the trend of declining in-person engagement. People have a lot going on: packed schedules, exhaustion, feelings of isolation, or even distrust in organized religion.I don’t say this to heap guilt or shame on anyone. I experience it, too, often finding it difficult to prioritize my engagement with my church community. However, I know God is doing something powerful in our church, and I see it when I show up. I am reminded of a time God used you to bless me on a specific Sunday morning last year. I was in the lobby, feeling extremely weary in my soul. It had been a hard few weeks. I was grieving the loss of a friend, frustrated by some failures I had experienced, and was reliving some painful memories that hit me in a fresh way that morning. My anxiety was high. My grief was painful. My body was exhausted. I was not in a good space. One of y’all made a point to ask me how I was doing. It wasn’t one of those cliche statements. The person who asked really meant it.  God used that moment to bless me in a huge way as I shared what I was going through, and the person prayed for me, encouraged me, and let me know I was not alone.I don’t believe this person expected to be such a gift to me that morning, but God used their presence and intentional question to serve me.In my almost 25 years at DSBC, I have experienced thousands of blessings like this. Personally, the last few years have been extremely difficult for me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One of the biggest reasons I continue to hold on to Jesus and pursue what I believe is his calling in my life is because of your ministry to me. I know that many of you have similar experiences.When we live as a Jesus-centered community, we model the early church. In the Book of Acts, we see descriptions of the first church communities. They frequently gathered together to serve each other and the community. They went out of their way to meet people's needs. As we enter this new year, I encourage you to prioritize church engagement, looking for ways to bless and be blessed by others.As we do this together, we are building something unique —a Jesus-centered community that disrupts complacency and fosters healing for the broken, which is all of us.You’re not just a spectator in this. You’re a vital part of what God is doing in and through DSBC.This is not about building a religious platform or staff-centered organization—it’s about all of us working together to make the love of Jesus real in our relationships, our city, and beyond. As we live out our faith as part of a Jesus-centered community, I believe we will find that our souls are being nurtured, our faith strengthened, and our hearts are being shaped increasingly into the image of Jesus.

Note: I know that for some of you, joining in-person gatherings may not be a wise and loving choice right now because of physical or mental health concerns, or familial limitations. Please know that you are deeply valued, and your well-being matters to us. 

Our pastoral team is here to support you and help you stay connected to the church family in safe and meaningful ways. Whether that’s through online gatherings, home visitation,  or other creative options, we want to work with you to find ways to connect that are best for you in this season. You are not alone, and we’re committed to ensuring you remain a vital part of this community.

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Here are some resources to help you discern your own convictions about how to engage in government, politics, and voting.

Videos & Podcasts

Curriculum

Books

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Communion (also referred to as the Lord's Supper, Lord's Table or Eucharist) (1 Cor. 11:20) is one of two sacraments given to us by Jesus. (The other is baptism.)Jesus established communion on the night before he went to the cross as he ate a meal with some of his followers (Matthew 26:26-28).

Why do we take communion?

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At DSBC we believe, as followers of Jesus, we are to create safe spaces that foster authentic connections with God and each other. We recognize that trauma of any kind can create understandable barriers for healthy relationships and connections. For this reason we strive to be a trauma-informed community that seeks to be compassionate and empathetic to all who engage with DSBC whether that be during a church service, small gatherings or community events.This means that DSBC actively seeks to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma and integrates this knowledge into our staff and volunteer training, policies, procedures, and practices as prescribed by the AZ Trauma Institute. This includes training for staff and volunteers, acknowledging when words or activities might be triggering and normalizing trauma language in our teachings. Specifically in our kids ministry (Adventure Kidz),  we are dedicated to being a kid focused trauma-informed community. After awareness and training sessions for key leaders, we have integrated trauma-informed practices throughout our programs. This includes adapting our language and techniques to offer consistent, supportive interactions across all classrooms. We ensure that every leader receives regular refresher training, maintaining a compassionate approach and creating a safe, healing environment where every child can thrive. All volunteers (in all ministries) are background checked and asked to adhere to DSBC's Child Protection Policy. Here are just a few of the resources we regularly refer to for understanding trauma and what it means to be a trauma informed church. 

• Trauma in the Pews
• Mending the Soul (men and women’s groups offered)
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (classes offered regularly)
• The Church of TOV: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing
• The Body Keeps the Score

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The following message was given by Pastor Caleb E. Campbell on July 14th during morning worship at Desert Springs Bible Church. It is based on a statement originally created by Pastor Ben Marsh. Pastor Caleb edited and adapted it for use at DSBC. You can find a video recording here. Many of us have been shaken by the recent news of the attempted assassination of the former President and current presidential candidate, Donald Trump, which took place in Pennsylvania on Saturday. This event has undoubtedly stirred up a range of emotions and concerns within our community. As people who follow the way of Jesus, I invite us to consider how the teaching and example of Jesus might guide us in the days to come. These times are not unprecedented in American history. Some of us recall the attempt on President Reagan or the death of President Kennedy. Violence has been present throughout much of our country's history, and the recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump is a stark reminder of this. Recognizing this, we lament the pain, the loss, the death and the destruction that violence brings. In the first pages of the Bible, we see that as people turn from God towards their own way, they can be tempted to use violence to pursue their own goals. In Genesis 4, we see a man named Cain, who is so gripped with the desire for worldly power that he plots to murder his brother. God warns, "Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." Like many, Cain gave in to the desire for worldly power and murdered his brother Abel, a cycle that has been repeated throughout human history. Jesus invites us to practice the values of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. As we follow his path, we are invited to respond to yesterday's events in the following ways: 1. We are invited to commit ourselves to the way of Peace. The people of God uniquely understand that human kingdoms rise and fall, but the Kingdom of Heaven alone is eternal. Knowing this, we are called to be a unique people of Peace, filled with trust in the Lord's plans. As Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." Violent rhetoric is inseparable from violent actions, so let us be a people whose language is seasoned with Peace. 2. We are invited to focus our minds and hearts on the Kingdom of God. Our citizenship is in heaven, which means our partisan commitments always take a backseat to our identification as followers of Jesus. Jesus had no political party and has no rivals for power in his kingdom! He alone is seated on the throne. To him alone will we swear allegiance for all eternity, and from him alone will come all blessings. 3.  We are invited to recommit ourselves to sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ alone is our Hope in this life and the next. No policy or politician can satisfy eternal or temporal needs. In Christ alone is our Hope and sure salvation. He alone gives us his Holy Spirit by which we live daily. He is the just Judge, the righteous sacrifice, and the one who holds the universe together by the word of his power. Jesus' followers have seen political violence from the first days. They saw kings assassinated, empires rise and fall, and political parties come and go. Still, for 2,000 years, the Church has borne witness to the reality that Jesus is our Savior, our King, and our Hope. May we, as a people, continue to bear witness in the face of political violence, social upheaval, and cultural chaos. For 2,000 years, the Church has held forth the truth that Jesus is our Savior and Hope. He alone is our Peace. As we move forward in the days ahead, may we speak the name of Jesus before the name of anyone else and lift all our cares and concerns to him.  1 Peter 5:7 invites us to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." As people of peace, let us be grateful that this assassination attempt was unsuccessful. Regardless of our political commitments, may we reaffirm the core truth that all people are made in the image of God and that He alone has the right to breathe life and to take life. While this may not be the last time we see acts of political violence in America, we, as Jesus' followers, can encourage our government, media figures, and community leaders to cease leveraging anxiety and rage for personal gain and instead promote the way of Peace, justice, and truth. Moreover, may we be a people who resist that same crouching beast that faced Cain and hear the word of the Lord, who said, "If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." In Christ, we have conquered sin and death itself. May we live in light of this truth and stand firm in the unshakable Hope of the glorious Majesty of Jesus Christ. May his Peace and justice reign in our hearts, in our community, and in our world.

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---A letter from Pastor Caleb---

I recently shared a few stories of how I have seen God at work through you. As a church, y'all have been living out the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, which God has been using to draw people to him. Each story included someone who, for various reasons, never or no longer felt welcome at church. Some had been asked to leave their church; others thought church was just about political indoctrination. Still, others felt that they or their family members were no longer safe in their faith community.While we lament this pain, we also thank God that because of your faithful witness, they found a community of misfits centered on Jesus. If you missed it, I invite you to watch the video here.

Adding a 2nd Service

We believe that God is doing a unique work in and through our church. We pray that he will give us a fresh vision of how he calls us to love and serve our city. We have been praying that God would guide us in how we can create more space at the table so that we can invite more people from our community to join us.Just as Jesus always invited people to his table, so too do we want to lead with hospitality, inviting people to join us at whatever table we find ourselves at. Whether it be the dinner table in our homes, the pub table in the community, or the communion table in our worship gatherings, we strive to invite all to join us.One way we are growing our community is by adding another Sunday worship gathering. Starting August 11th, we are excited to host worship gatherings at 9:30 and 11 am on Sundays, providing more opportunities for everyone to join us at the table.While it will undoubtedly be a lot of extra work for our teams, adding a 2nd service will empower us to better minister for a few reasons:

1. Create more space in the Worship Center for us to share communion and for classes and children's ministry programming.
2. We are deeply grateful for the over 70 volunteers on Sundays. This new service will give you an opportunity to serve one hour and worship the other, allowing for a more fulfilling experience.
3. We have heard your feedback and are excited to provide a more convenient time. Many of you shared that 9:30 am is a bit too early, and that 11 am would be a better fit for your schedules.
4. Allow us the opportunity to invite more people to join us!

How You Can Help

Over 70 people invest their time, skill, and energy in hosting our Sunday worship gatherings each Sunday. We'd love for you to join the team! Whether it is with the Adventure Kidz, Student Ministry, Worship & Arts, Tech Booth, Hospitality Team, Setup Crew, or behind-the-scenes prep, we'd love to help connect you with the right team! Take your next step by filling out this interest form.Using our talents and resources to serve others not only helps people but also allows us to see God work and grow in our faith. God often blesses me as I seek to follow him in blessing others. I pray that you will experience the beauty and power of God as you follow him in serving others.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT SERVING AT DSBC 

I am thrilled to join you in the work that God is doing in and through DSBC and I look forward to seeing God at work in our community in the months and years to come!-Pastor Caleb

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At DSBC, we are all about equipping you to discern your own convictions by the power of the Holy Spirit.The book of Revelation is perhaps one of the most difficult for modern readers to engage. The recommended resources below provide a variety of perspectives in relatively accessible ways. If you have questions about this material, or would like to connect with someone to study with others, please email us at info@dsbc.church.

Online Resources

• Revelation: A book for its time (pod)
• Revelation Series (Episodes 174-190)

• Revelation Guide
• Revelation Explainer Video
• Five Strategies for Reading Revelation (Podcast)

• The Apocalypse (w/ Scot McKnight)
• World's End (w/ Alissa Wilkinson & Richard Bauckham)

Books

• The Theology of the Book of Revelation
• Reading Revelation Responsibly
• Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple
• Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination

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We invite you to join us on Sundays in January and February at 9:30 am for a new sermon series called The City. This series will explore the scriptural theme of cities and give us Jesus-centered wisdom for living in and loving Phoenix today.If you'd like to engage in deeper study, join Pastor Caleb each Sunday at 11 am for the Sermon Deep Dive or check out these helpful resources. Explainer Video from The Bible ProjectThe Bible Project also features a series of podcast episodes discussing the theme of the city (available here).[embed]https://youtu.be/5yZLFmVHfaw[/embed]  Serving the City by Rev. Timothy KellerThis sermon by Tim Keller was preached at his home church, Redeemer Presbyterian, in New York City. For more by Tim Keller on the city, see here.[embed]https://youtu.be/2ziAJXT7gok[/embed]  The Theology of the CityThe City to City DNA Project was a collaborative effort led by Tim Keller and composed of pastors worldwide (including Pastor Caleb). The project concluded with a series of videos and white papers (available here).[embed]https://youtu.be/LMn6wc_rVyo[/embed]

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One of our core values at DSBC is to help people be with Jesus, think like Jesus, and love like Jesus. As we enter the new year, I invite you to explore some of these Bible study resources as you continue to grow in your walk with Jesus. Daily Meditation / Devotional AppsLectio 365 (link)With Lectio 365 you pray the Bible by meditating on the scriptures and asking God to speak through them. The app has short devotionals for morning and evening so you can open and close each day with God.With God Daily (link)With God Daily is a digital devotional for those seeking a smart, integrated faith. These daily reflections are combined with historic prayers of the Church to deepen your communion with God and transform how you see the world. Bible Study ResourcesThe Bible Project (link)The Bible Project has many resources, including an app with Bible reading plans, explainer videos, and notes. They also have in-depth conversations about the Bible and theology on their weekly podcast. Oh, they recently published a series of free seminary-level studies of select portions of scripture. I HIGHLY recommend it!BEMA Discipleship (link)The BEMA Podcast is a walk-through of the context of the Bible and the Text itself, as well as surrounding history. We deconstruct our common readings of the Bible and attempt to reconstruct them through the lens of historical context.Check out more recommended podcasts here. Bible Reading ToolsNET Bible (link)The New English Translation is a free online English translation of the Bible with over 60,000 study notes that help readers navigate the nuances of the original languages.Blue Letter Bible (link)Blue Letter Bible provides study notes, commentaries, and other powerful tools for an in-depth study of God's Word through a free online reference library. International Bible Commentaries

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Love

Bible Project

For the last four days of Advent, we will focus on four key themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We invite you to watch this video and prayerfully consider what God might want to show you today as you prepare for Christmas. Special thanks to the Bible Project for producing these videos and making them available to local churches like DSBC. 

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Joy

Bible Project

For the last four days of Advent, we will focus on four key themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We invite you to watch this video and prayerfully consider what God might want to show you today as you prepare for Christmas. Special thanks to the Bible Project for producing these videos and making them available to local churches like DSBC. 

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Peace

Bible Project

For the last four days of Advent, we will focus on four key themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We invite you to watch this video and prayerfully consider what God might want to show you today as you prepare for Christmas. Special thanks to the Bible Project for producing these videos and making them available to local churches like DSBC. 

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Hope

Bible Project

For the last four days of Advent, we will focus on four key themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. We invite you to watch this video and prayerfully consider what God might want to show you today as you prepare for Christmas. Special thanks to the Bible Project for producing these videos and making them available to local churches like DSBC. 

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II Corinthians 9:15

Christine S. 

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”---- The book God is in the Manger is by one of my favorite theologians Dietrich Bonhoeffer.Evidently, Advent was one of his favorite times of the year, and his powerful reflections, written mainly from prison, are powerful and inspiring. Here are a couple of glimpses from my initial readings:

"Life in a prison cell may well be compared to Advent” Bonhoeffer wrote his best friend Eberhard Bethge as the holidays approached in 1943. “One waits, hopes, and does this, that, or the other – things that are really of no consequence- the door is shut and can only be opened from the outside.”

Of course, for Bonhoeffer, the door never opened, and he was hanged on April 8, 1945, just ten days before the German forces began to surrender.

Christ is knocking. It’s still not Christmas, but it’s also still not the great last Advent, the last coming of Christ. Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate runs the longing for the last Advent, when the word will be: “see I am making all things new” (Rev 21:5

The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.Like Bonhoeffer I long for that last Advent, that time when all things will be made new and Christ will come again in all his fullness.

Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often the greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and disrespectful hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them. Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting – that is, of hopefully doing without- will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.

Waiting is hard, and as we begin this first week of Advent, waiting for the coming of Christ, whether we wait for the remembrance of his birth, for new birth within ourselves or for that final Advent at the end of time, the longing sometimes seems overwhelming, and we are very tempted to taste of the fruit before it is ripe.God, may we learn to wait patiently for what you are giving birth to. 

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II Corinthians 9:15

Melissa K. 

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”----It’s the season of gift giving. I love considering just the right gifts for neighbors, friends, and family. Each person’s name under the tree is special to me in some way. The part of gift giving I enjoy has little to do with money and everything to do with expression. Each type of gift communicates some­thing from the giver to the receiver:A gift that fulfills a need says, “I notice and care about you.”A gift that’s a complete surprise says, “I know what you need, even if you didn’t know you needed it.”A gift that can be enjoyed for years to come says, “I want to bless you with future joy.”A gift that comes with personal sacrifice says, “I love you more than I love myself.”Even though I love gift giving, as I face the hustle and bustle of shopping and see the materialism abounding in our culture, I find myself questioning, “What does any of this have to do with Jesus?” Is the way we celebrate Christmas just an excuse to overspend, overindulge, and focus too much on earthly treasures? Should I run from the stores, remove the presents from the tree, and find other ways to celebrate?As I discussed my internal struggle with my husband, he kindly reminded me that gift giving is not just a reflection of worldly materialism (although it can be), but it’s also a reflec­tion of our Creator, who delights to give gifts to his people. Our conversation prompted me to ponder anew the gift giv­en in Bethlehem.Truly special gifts usually involve preparation and wait­ing. From the exit of Eden, a promise of redemption and a hope were given. The divine whisper continued speaking through all the prophets: Something special is coming. Wait for it. Watch for it. Hope in it.And then, at just the right moment in time, God sent angels and a star in the heavens to declare: “The gift is here.” Glory wrapped in flesh made his dwelling among us in the form of a baby.It was unexpected. It was surprising. It was exactly what we needed.The second Adam, born of a virgin, born far from the paradise of Eden, came and lived a sinless life. He resisted temptation. He wept. He rejoiced. He went to weddings. He made intimate friendships. He experienced betrayal. He healed. He taught. He loved. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. His people wanted an earthly kingdom, but he ushered in a heavenly one.All of it was part of the gift.When I consider all the reasons I love giving and receiv­ing gifts, I realize that in Christ, God fulfills them all. In Je­sus, God communicates:I knew what you needed, even when you didn’t know you needed it. (Rom. 5:15–19)You are fully known and fully loved by me. (1 Cor. 13:1–12)I want to give you future joy. (Rev. 21:1–4)I love you more than I love myself. (John 15:13)Christ is the one gift needed. He never wears out or loses shape. Like a treasure chest, deeply laden with all sorts of riches, new delights await, ready to be uncovered.Consider this past year. How has your faith in Jesus given you joy? When you think of Jesus, what are you thankful for? 

Advent Candles by Jerry C.

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O' Holy NightIsaiah 61:1-2 The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birthLong lay the world in sin and error pining'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worthA thrill of hope the weary world rejoicesFor yonder breaks a new and glorious mornFall on your kneesO hear the Angel voicesO night divineO night when Christ was bornO night divine, O nightO night divine Truly He taught us to love one anotherHis law is love and His Gospel is PeaceChains shall He break, for his child is our brotherAnd in His name, all oppression shall ceaseSweet hymns of joy in gratеful chorus raise weLet all within us Praisе His Holy nameChrist is the LordTheir name forever praise weNoel, NoelO night, O night divineNoel, NoelO night, O holy night O Holy Night is one of the most powerful hymns we sing at Christmas time announcing the birth of Christ. The music composition has huge swells that seem to lift you up to “where the stars are brightly shining” and carries you to the place that you want to “fall on your knees” in adoration. It’s a beautiful piece of music that evokes emotion rightly directed at our Savior.The lyrics, ironically written by Placide Cappeau, speak of the great hope that Christ’s birth brings to people: freedom. Although that word is not used specifically, it is described throughout the song.A world that is weary from waiting for a savior, rejoices when he finally comes; the world is freed from a long season of waiting.When people are freed from the bonds of sin, oppression ceases.God put flesh on and come to live among us. Jesus came for us, to save us and set us free. This means that we are valued and our “souls find their worth”. God kept his promise to send a savior to set his people who were held captive free.We find this theme of freedom throughout scripture, not just verses that speak of Jesus’ birth. In Isaiah 61:1-2, we hear about the proclamation of “good news”, freedom for captives, and release from darkness; all of which is possible because of Jesus.The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners,2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn,I think the common answer that we give when asked, “What has Jesus set you free from?” would be that he sets us free from sin. That is not a wrong answer but it is woefully incomplete. Yes, Jesus has set us free from sin but he has done so much more. We are set free to live an abundant life (John 10:10). We are set free to fulfill the purpose for which we were created (1 Peter 2:9). We are set free to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves (Matt. 28:19). We are set free from our desires that try to control us as if we are mindless zombies (Galatians 5:13-18). These are just a few of the strengths of our freedom that Christ has provided for us.No wonder the song Oh Holy Night is so powerful! If we take time to reflect on this truth, it will cause us to fall on our knees in awe and praise for our God who sets us free. So, the next time you feel unworthy, trapped, or weary, remember Jesus kept his promise and came for you. His birth means your freedom.The night of Jesus’ birth was definitely a holy night worth rejoicing in the angels. This Christmas season I hope you celebrate your freedom and it causes “all within you praise his holy name”. Angel by Jerry C.

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N.T. WrightI Corinthians 11:26

We live between Advent and Advent; between the first great Advent, the coming of the Son into the world, and the second Advent, when he shall come again in power and glory to judge the living and the dead. That’s why Advent is sometimes quite confusing, preparing for the birth of Jesus and at the same time preparing for the time when God makes all things new, when the whole cosmos has its exodus from slavery.

That apparent confusing, that overlap of the first and second Advents, is actually what Christianity is all about: celebrating the decisive victory of God, in Jesus Christ, over Pharaoh and the Red Sea, over sin and death—and looking for, and working for, and loving for, and praying for, the full implementation of that decisive victory. Every Eucharist catches exactly this tension. ‘As often as you break the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim, you announce, the death of the Lord—until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

We come for our daily, and heavenly, bread; we come for our daily, and final, forgiveness; we come for our daily, and ultimate, deliverance; we come to celebrate God’s kingdom now, and to pray for it soon. That is what we mean when we call God “Father.”

And as we do this, as we pray this prayer in this setting, we begin to discover the true pattern of Christian spirituality, of the Christian way of penetrating into the mystery, of daring to enter the cloud of unknowing.

When we call God “Father,” we are called to step out, as apprentice children, into a world of pain and darkness. We will find that darkness all around us; it will terrify us, precisely because it will remind us of the darkness inside our own selves. The temptation then is to switch off the news, to shut out the pain of the world, to create a painless world for ourselves. A good deal of our contemporary culture is designed to do exactly that. No wonder people find it hard to pray.

But if, as the people of the living creator God, we respond to the call to be his sons and daughters; if we take the risk of calling him Father; then we are called to be the people through whom the pain of the world is held in the healing light of the love of God. And we then discover that we want to pray, and need to pray, this prayer. Father; Our Father; Our Father in heaven; Our Father in heaven, may your name be honoured. That is, may you be worshipped by your whole creation; may the whole cosmos resound with your praise; may the whole world be freed from injustice, disfigurement, sin, and death, and may your name be hallowed.

And as we stand in the presence of the living God, with the darkness and pain of the world on our hearts, praying that he will fulfill his ancient promises, and implement the victory of Calvary and Easter for the whole cosmos—then we may discover that our own pain, our own darkness, is somehow being dealt with as well.

This, then, I dare say, is the pattern of Christian spirituality. It is not the selfish pursuit of private spiritual advancement. It is not the flight of the alone to the alone. It is neither simply shouting into a void, nor simply getting in touch with our own deepest feelings, though sometimes it may feel like one or other of these.

It is the rhythm of standing in the presence of the pain of the world, and kneeling in the presence of the creator of the world; of bringing those two things together in the name of Jesus and by the victory of the cross; of living in the tension of the double Advent, and of calling God “Father.”

"The Night Visitors" (Janet McKenzie)

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I John 2:7-8

Rebecca B.

Painting by Jerry C.

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Selected Verses

Peter J.

Perhaps the most familiar hymn of Advent, O Come O Come Emmanuel has an ancient but obscure origin. Reference to the “O” verses, sometimes called the O Antiphons, are found in Latin literature as early as the 5th century. A set of Old English poems, written around 800 AD, expand upon the themes of each verse, exploring the meaning of each of Jesus’ titles. Eleanor Parker, a lecturer at Oxford, has written lovely translations and commentaries on these Old English poems, which are available on her blog. Our modern version of the hymn text was written by John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest and scholar of the 19th century.One of the most intriguing features of the hymn is its tune, Veni Emmanuel. This tune originated in a 15th-century French chant for use at burials, and was then paired with the text by Thomas Helmore in 1851. Helmore recognized, quite brilliantly, that the somber experience of death together with the hope of resurrection, could double to cover the emotional territory of Advent. Both involve a somber hope of waiting upon God’s promises. And perhaps that is a good way of thinking about faith: a settled hope in God, even in the midst of the world’s decay.Verse by VerseEach verse begins with “O,” an indication of direct address, together with one of the prophetic names of Christ that was used before his birth. The hymn thus brings the singer into alignment with the people of God as they waited for the fulfillment of God’s promised messiah.Traditionally, one verse is sung each day from December 17th to December 23rd, beginning with Wisdom (see also Ashley Wallace’s ideas on how to celebrate these days in the home). But in modern renditions we sing the last verse first, beginning with Emmanuel.“O come, O come, Emmanuel,and ransom captive Israel,that mourns in lonely exile hereuntil the Son of God appear.After the beautiful and haunting set-up of the verse, we come to tonal resolution with the refrain.Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”The repeated “rejoice” stirs a feeling of joy in the heart, yet the final words of the refrain return to a more somber mode, leaving us in a state of hopeful expectation.In the traditional order, the first verse is Wisdom, referring to Proverbs 8 and Isaiah 11, and is sung on December 17th.“O come, thou Wisdom from on high,who orderest all things mightily;to us the path of knowledge show,and teach us in her ways to go.Lord, or Adonai, refers to Exodus 3 and Exodus 20, and is sung on December 18th.“O come, O come, thou Lord of might,who to thy tribes on Sinai’s heightin ancient times didst give the lawin cloud and majesty and awe.The Branch of Jesse refers to Isaiah 11:1-11, and is sung on December 19th.“O come, thou Branch of Jesse’s Tree, freethem from Satan’s tyranny;that trust thy mighty power to save,and give them victory o’er the grave.The Key of David refers to Isaiah 22:22, and is sung on December 20th.“O come, thou Key of David, come,and open wide our heavenly home;make safe the way that leads on high,and close the path to misery.Dayspring refers to Luke 1:77-78 and Isaiah 9:1-2, and is sung on December 21st.“O come, thou Dayspring from on high,And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;disperse the gloomy clouds of night,and death’s dark shadow put to flight.Desire of Nations refers to Jeremiah 10:7, and is sung on December 22nd.“O come, Desire of Nations, bindin one the hearts of all mankind;bid thou our sad divisions cease,and be thyself our King of Peace.Emmanuel refers to Isaiah 7:14 and is sung on December 23rd.“O come, O come, Emmanuel,and ransom captive Israel,that mourns in lonely exile hereuntil the Son of God appear.On VideoHere are two renditions of the hymn. The first features organ and choir from Clare College, Cambridge. Be sure to listen to the end, to hear the descant on the final verse. The second, by modern Messianic Christian singer Joshua Aaron, is sung with a band in Jerusalem, in English and in Hebrew. 

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Matthew 25:35-40

Caleb C.

One of my favorite Christmas stories is an old tale by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, called "The Shoemaker," or "Where Love is, God is." Below is an abbreviated and updated version that I have used over the years. I pray that it is a blessing for you today.---Long ago, there was a lonely, old shoemaker named Martin who lived in a basement room. Through his lone window, he could see the feet of those passing by, often recognizing people by their shoes. Martin had not always been alone. He had a family...once… but he lost them to a horrible sickness. A memory that was especially painful on this Christmas Eve night. He wondered why God would allow such pain. As he sat, he remembered the words of an old friend, "I don't know why God allowed this pain, but it can't be without purpose, for God himself chose to suffer... That's the power of Christmas… It's the story of God humbling himself, becoming human, and suffering all the pains and darkness of humanity."God," his old friend said, "became human, lived among us, died for us, and rose from death to save us and bring us light and life eternal. That's why they called Jesus Immanuel… it means God with us."Martin sat in his chair and reflected on these words. He wondered, "If God is with me, why does he feel so far away?"    Martin slowly began to fall asleep. Suddenly, he was awoken by a quiet voice: "Martin, Martin.""Who's there?" he asked.     He looked around; no one was there. Then he heard it again: "Martin, Martin! Look for me tomorrow, for I will visit you."---- In the morning, Martin rose, lit the fire, and thought about the whisper. He wasn't sure, but he thought maybe it was God.As he worked by the window,  A man walked by, shovel in hand. Martin knew him by his boots, shabby & worn. It was an old soldier whose duty was to keep the street clean. But his body was tired and broken. He didn't have the strength to clear the snow. He just leaned against the wall, trying to get warm.So Martin tapped on the window and invited him in. "Come in," he said, "and warm yourself a bit. I'm sure you must be cold. Sit,  have some coffee."While they drank, Martin kept glancing out the window."You expecting someone?" asked the old soldier.Embarrassed, Martin said, "In the middle of the night, I heard a whisper, and I'm almost certain it was Jesus telling me he'd come to visit. Though I am ashamed of it myself, I keep expecting him to show up."The old soldier sat silently and sipped his coffee."I know it's silly, but I was thinking that they say that Jesus spent most of his time with common people. Plain people. Broken people… like me. Maybe he will visit me."They continued to talk, sipping the hot coffee. After finishing a second cup, the old soldier gave thanks and left. Martin went about his work, looking out the window, waiting for a special visitor. ---Two guards walked by in Government boots, then the owner of a neighboring house in shining new Oxfords, then a young woman in worn-out old shoes. Martin saw that she was a stranger, poorly dressed, and with a baby in her arms, back to the wind, trying to keep warm. Martin called, "My dear, 'Come inside. You can warm yourself here by the fire."The woman was surprised but glad. She followed him in."There, sit down near the fireplace. Warm yourself and the baby."He brought out some bread and soup."Please, eat, I'll mind the baby. I've had children of my own; I know how to make them laugh."Martin put the child on his knee. The baby laughed. Martin laughed too.With difficulty, the young woman told her story,'They sent my husband away months ago, and I haven't heard of him since. I had a job as a cook until my baby was born, but they wouldn't keep me with a child. I've sold all that I have for food.At that, Martin went into his closet and brought back his coat."Here,' he said, 'though it's worn out, it will keep you both warm."And please, take this. It's not much, but I think it will afford you a few nights at the inn." said Martin. As he handed her the money, she wiped the tears from her eyes, said thank you and he saw her out.Martin cleared the table and sat down to work. Out the window, he saw many people passing by, but no one remarkable.--- As the day continued, Martin saw a woman with an apple cart. Suddenly, a hungry boy in tattered clothes attempted to grab a piece of fruit, but the old woman caught him, grabbing him violently. The boy screamed. The woman scolded.Martin rushed out the door, "' Let him go, please!""No!" she scoffed, "I'll make him pay.""Let him go, please," Martin said. "I will pay for his apple."She let go, and the boy wished to run away, but Martin stopped him. The boy began to cry. Martin embraced him, and gave him the apple. The woman scoffed and then sighed.Gathering his strength, the boy spoke to the woman, "I am sorry for what I have done. Would you like me to help you carry the cart? Surprised, the old woman nodded her head, and they walked down the street together.Martin went back to the house, still waiting for the promised visit.---As evening set in, Martin turned on the lamp, put away his tools and sat in his chair. As he began to fall asleep, he wondered why the Lord had not come. Had he missed him while hosting his guests? Or, maybe it was just a silly dream after all. In his disappointment and frustration, Martin prayed quietly: "Jesus, why did you promise to visit me and then never show up?"With this prayer on his lips, Martin fell asleep. Suddenly, Martin was stirred awake by a noise that sounded like shuffling feet in the dark corner of the room. Martin asked, "Who is there?"Then, he heard a familiar voice: "Martin, Martin, did you not recognize me?""Lord?" Martin responded, "Why did you not visit me today?""Oh, Martin, I did visit you this day." Then, out of the dark corner stepped the old soldier who whispered, "It is I," before vanishing. Then, out of the same corner, the woman with her baby appeared. "It is I," she whispered, and likewise vanished.Finally, the boy and the woman appeared, saying, "It is I," then vanishing.While tears streamed from his face, the old shoemaker remembered the words that Jesus had spoken to his disciples:'"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat;I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you took care of me; I was in prison, and you visited me.'  'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Martin then understood that his dream had come true, that the Savior had indeed visited him that day. Full of hope for future encounters with Jesus, Martin gently drifted into a deep and restful sleep.  

Where Love is, God is. By Leo Tolstoy

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John 1:45

Winfree B.

---One of our favorite family stories is about the time my husband’s cousin made a particularly ambitious Christmas list. He copied down practically every item from a thick toy catalog. Then he added one final request: surprises.Many of us go to great lengths to pull off a Christmas morning surprise. Even now, you may have gifts hidden away, tucked into nooks and crannies, or delivered to a neighbor’s house for safekeeping. Perhaps you’ve hunted down a gift that’s nearly impossible to secure. Maybe you’ll be up late on Christmas Eve doing a last-minute assembly.Surprises can be delightful to give and receive, creating a sense of wonder and excitement around Christmas. But as we enjoy them, it’s good to remember that the advent of Christ wasn’t meant to be a surprise. God had been promising his people a serpent-crushing offspring from the earliest pages of the Bible (Gen. 3:15). The real story of Christmas isn’t a story of surprise but of fulfillment.Through the Old Testament prophets, God revealed quite a bit of information about the coming Messiah. Jeremiah said he would be a king from the line of David (Jer. 23:5–6). Micah foretold he would come from the town of Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). Isaiah said he would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). Years ahead of time, God promised his people a Savior and gave specific details about his coming.So when Philip went to share the news that Christ had come, notice what he said: “We have found him of whom Moses . . . and also the prophets wrote” (John 1:45). He didn’t say, “Surprise! God sent a Savior.” He said, “We have found him.” They knew the Messiah was coming. They were expecting him. Finding Jesus, for them, was confirmation of God’s faithfulness.And that’s the story of Christmas for us too. The advent of Christ is a vivid reminder that God does what he says he will do, down to the last detail. Don’t skip over the details the Gospel writers record about the birth of Christ. It’s not extra fluff to fill out the story. In Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth, five times he writes something like “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet” (see Matt. 1:22; 2:5, 15, 17, 23). Why does Matthew repeatedly point out the fulfillment of prophecy? Because it shows us God’s faithfulness.God’s faithfulness in the Christmas story gives us hope in our own stories. Just as God promised to send Jesus, he promises to be with us now through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus came the first time, he promises to come again. We can look forward in hope, confidently anticipating Christ’s second coming and the fulfillment of his promises to dwell with us forever (Rev. 21:3).God may not give us everything on our wish list, but we can be sure he’ll fulfill all the promises he has made. Great is his faithfulness! 

3d Manger scene by Landon, 2nd grade.

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Isaiah 9:6-7

Kelly T.

Of all the common signs of this season leading up to Christmas—lights strung upon homes, Nativity scenes set out on display, trees decorated with ornaments—the one I most look forward to is the music. The songs of Advent and Christmas invite us to picture the familiar events: the holy family at the crèche, angels singing to awestruck shepherds, wise men journeying toward the “little town” of Bethlehem. These beloved hymns and carols warm our hearts.Yet within many of our favorites are woven lyrics that break through our familiarity and declare an astonishing theological reality: The newborn in the manger is the Mighty God.“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “We Three Kings” exhort us to comprehend who this infant truly is: “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity.” “Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice.”“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” sounds out this profound paradox in simple words: “Born a child and yet a King.” These lyrics resound with the truth of Isaiah 9:6–7: This child is the Promised One who will reign eternally on David’s throne, establishing his kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace.It’s an unfathomable mystery the New Testament also invites us to dwell upon. The author of Hebrews proclaims, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory” and the “heir of all things” (1:2–3). Paul emphasizes that “in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. … In him all things hold together” (Col. 1:16–17). Jesus Christ is supreme over all things and the fullness of God dwells in him.This is the promised child God’s people awaited and whose birth we are preparing to celebrate. This is the Lord for whom God sent a messenger to prepare the way, preaching a message of repentance. This is the Savior who, in his mission of love and redemption, would defeat the power of sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross and victorious resurrection. And this is the one whose return we await in hope, trusting in “the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:15–16).This reality—that the child in the crèche is the Mighty God—is far beyond what we can fully comprehend. And yet it is true. In awe and humility, we heed the exhortation in “Oh Holy Night”—“Fall on your knees!” In humble gratitude, we worship him.Let all within us praise his holy name.Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever!His power and glory evermore proclaim!His power and glory evermore proclaim! 

3d Manger scene by Landon, 2nd grade.

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Lauren S.Philippians 2:5-11

“No crib for a bed. The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.” In my opinion, it’s one of the sweetest Christmas carols. Small children learn and sing it; and it brings to mind the gentle and serene picture of the new family our Savior was born into on a peaceful night (whether or not it really happened that way). But I heard a sermon on heaven at church that made me think about what God’s Son really gave up to be born here on the first Christmas morning. That manger – the feeding trough for horses and cattle – became an altar. To me, now, it’s a symbol of the sacrifices of Christ.Revelation 21 gives us the vision of heaven given to John. We know from his account that there is no death, mourning, crying or pain there. It is described as brilliant, of pure gold with a wall of jasper adorned with every kind of precious stone. The “glory of God has illumined it”. Philippians 3:21 tells us that Jesus had (and now has again) a glorified body. I long for heaven and love to picture the magnificence of it all. The presence of God is everywhere, with nothing that can hinder communication and fellowship with Him.Jesus left all of that pure beauty to be born into this dirty, broken world. He vacated the throne of His kingdom to become an unknown child. For the first time He experienced pain, and sorrow and hunger. And He submitted to all of that loss knowing that His ultimate loss was still to come. He would experience the weight of sin (though Himself still innocent), and feel separation from God. He would die in a painful and shameful way to redeem you and me.The cross became a symbol of Christ sacrificing His life, but I submit to you that the manger is the first symbol of His sacrifice. He gave up heaven to be an offering for our sins. But, praise God, Jesus is there once again. Preparing a place for us (John 14:3) if we only believe in that tiny babe sent to save the world.“Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and fit us to heaven to live with thee there.” 

Drawing by Kaylee, 3rd grade.

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John 3:16

Jay K. 

“For God so loved the world that he …”Chances are, you can finish the line without a second thought. John 3:16 is arguably the most famous verse in the Bible—but it doesn’t stand alone. Though the rest of the passage in this third chapter of John’s gospel receives far less fanfare, it offers us a sobering and hopeful truth:Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light. … But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (vv. 19, 21)Human experience is the paradoxical commingling of the love of darkness and the need for light. And this reality isn’t just true out there, among the sinful masses. This is true right here—in my heart, mind, and soul, and in yours. The apostle Paul aptly describes this pervasive and universal tension: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom. 7:15). We’ve all been there. We still are.Light can both expose and illuminate, making it simultaneously frightening and freeing. American physicist Richard Feynman said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.” If he was right—and I believe he was—then this frightening and freeing light is exactly what we need. This light exposes our pride and illuminates our shame, which have both stricken us since the very beginning of the human story.In the Genesis creation narrative, God created a good world and placed Adam and Eve at its center, as his image-bearers, called to bring the earth’s good potential to bear. But when the first humans sinned against God, it was because they came to believe the lie that they could be “like God” (Gen. 3:5). This is pride. And where does pride inevitably lead? Straight toward shame. “I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid,” the man said (3:10).Jesus, the Light, has come to free us from the darkness of pride and shame. The light has come to tell us the truth—that we are forgiven, accepted, loved. The light has come to undo the catastrophe of the Fall and to enact God’s good new world, where we can all belong. 

Drawing by Ryker, 5th grade.

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Isaiah 11:1-5

Robin P.

Isaiah 11:1-5A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.------This prophecy of the coming Messiah says Jesus will come as a shoot springing forth from the stump of Jesse and bearing fruit. A stump is a remnant of a once vibrant, living, growing, producing tree. When I see a stump, I mourn the loss of a once majestic tree that provided shade, oxygen, maybe fruit or nuts, and homes for birds and animals. I imagine the people of Israel often felt like they had been chopped into stumps. Sometimes, we feel like that too. But a shoot springing from a stump speaks of new life. Through the prophet Isaiah, God was giving the promise of hope in a savior who would have his very spirit in him.The following verses give us such a beautiful description of Jesus.The spirit of the Lord will rest on him. Jesus told us that everything he said and everything he did was his Father living in him and working in him. The gift of Jesus to our world was a living portrait to show all of us what God was like. And through Jesus, the Spirit of God lives in us too! So, let’s contemplate what this looked like in Jesus and pray it will grow in us.Jesus walked and spoke with the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might. I know for myself there’s a big difference between head wisdom and heart wisdom. I can read and study all I want, but I need to download it from my head to my heart before understanding will result in any counsel or might. Jesus, give us your wisdom.Jesus always modeled the complete knowledge and fear of the Lord: For us, knowing the Lord is a lifetime pursuit. Fearing the Lord means being in awe of who he is. We never stop trying to understand him better, yet our fear of him makes us realize we will never know him fully.This next part especially moves me. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes or decide by what he hears with his ears. Oh Lord, we so need to see and hear with your heart. Our eyes and ears are so quick to underestimate, judge, and even ignore when we need to pay attention. Jesus showed us through his interactions with so many people that he saw and heard beyond what eyes and ears could perceive.Jesus taught us what Righteousness and Justice really looked like:Oh, how we long for these, yet sometimes they seem the least attainable. We see so much unrighteousness and injustice in our world that we can’t control. But I remind myself that we can pursue these in small ways with the people and situations we encounter until Jesus makes everything right again.The rod of his mouth and the breath of his lips: I am so thankful for the red letters, the words Jesus spoke and recorded for us to read generations later. Jesus taught us that if we love him, we will keep his words, hear his voice, and follow him.Jesus is faithful: He is faithful in all he says and does. Jesus, may your faithfulness grow in us always. 

Drawing by Adi, 2nd grade.

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John 1:1-18

Carolyn A.

The apostle John contextualizes his account of the words and deeds of his good friend Jesus with an opening prologue that crackles with energy and wonder. Jesus, John wants to tell us, is the very Word of God. He was with God at the creation of the world. He is God. He is life itself, and that life is the light of the world.Then comes verse 5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” At least that’s what it says in my 2011 edition of the NIV. But here’s a striking thing: My older edition of the NIV (the 1984 translation) reads differently. It says, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”The Greek word alternatively rendered “overcome” and “understood” is katalambanó—which means to “take hold of” or “grasp.” We need more than one English word to try to hint at the full gist of what John is saying here.John has seen the Light of the World with his own eyes. He’s gone fishing with him. He’s eaten with him. He’s prayed with him. And he’s watched him endure the most horrific death imaginable and then come back to life. So John knows that there is no darkness in the universe that can permanently grasp and defeat this light. The darkness cannot overcome it.But John also knows that our human minds, left to their own devices, cannot begin to grasp the love on offer in the astonishing fact of the Incarnation. The darkness cannot understand it.John’s prologue culminates with a breathtaking meditation on the lengths to which God has gone to reach us with his illuminating love. “The Word became flesh,” he writes, “and made his dwelling among us.” Or, as The Message paraphrase renders it, the flesh-and-blood Word “moved into the neighborhood.”The Mighty God came in the staggeringly vulnerable form of a human baby. The Prince of Peace allowed himself to be birthed into a world of sin and chaos—God made huggable, woundable, kissable, killable.Only the Light of the World can give us the power to begin to understand what God has offered us in the birth of Jesus. So, this Advent, let us pray the prayer the apostle Paul offered the Ephesians (3:18): that we, “being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” 

Drawing by Katherine, 3rd grade.

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Luke 1:26-38

Rebecca H.

Gabriel, peeking around the corner: Heyyyy Mary! Teenaged, unwed Mary, mid-bite of her eggs - JUMPSGabe: Man, I’m always doing that to people, sorry. Don’t be scared! You’re doing great. God just asked me to pop by and mention a couple things.Mary, unblinking - face blanches - white-knuckles her fork.Gabe: ….I’ll get right to it. ((pulls up a seat, starts counting off on his angel fingers)) You’re having a baby, it’s a boy, his name is Jesus, nickname ‘Son of the Most High’, he’ll inherit the throne of David, he’ll reign over the house of Jacob and his kingdom will never end.Mary - full blown lemur eyes: “Whatareyoutalkingabout.”Pregnant pause. (har har.)Having heard nothing after ‘you’re having a baby’, Mary sets down her fork, trembling: How can this be? I haven’t done… (eyes shift left and right)… that yet. Gabe, sighs under his breath: I told Him this would be awkward.clears throat See, this is going to go differently. The power of the Most High will overshadow you, so this baby will be called the Son of God. Making sense?Mary - panics in peasant: The what will what, now?Gabe: Ah, you look just like your cousin, Elizabeth! She made the same face 6 months ago when she found out she’s having a son. Oh - you hadn’t heard? Cool old gal - emphasis on the old. Everyone called her childless, but she’s proof: nothing is impossible with God.Mary, having lost her appetite, plops her hands in her lap. Is this visit good news or bad news??Holy Information Overload.So she says the only thing she can muster: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be done with me according to your word.”******Life can be wicked hard.Wait- can you write “wicked” in a church advent reflection?It’s Christmas! A time for sparkles and joy, lights and sweets, peace, makebelieve and whimsy.But for many, Christmas feels like a magnified trudge. Loss is highlighted, brokenness is exposed, expectations are unattainable, and hope feels brittle.On a good year, wishlists are long, task lists are longer, budgets are tight, and ‘togetherness’ means rolling out the eggshell carpet.And on a hard year………….. there may not be words enough to express the drain.We have 4 children - announced to us differently from Mary’s (thankfully) - and this fall, one of our kids received a diagnosis of a learning difference. There are *for sure worse diagnoses to receive. We as parents admittedly felt a wave of validation for the struggles we’ve all experienced for a long time. But boy, it also felt like bad news. Still does…As the appointments roll in and conversations are pursued, as therapists are researched and options are weighed, as teachers are updated and counselors are introduced, as books are checked out and parenting podcasts are binged, the mounting feeling is one of Holy Information Overload.I bet you’ve lived this, too. You get news that feels mostly bad (if not all bad), and WHOOSH. The blanch. The what-nows. The how-dare-yous. The surely-nots.The need to hear - to know - that nothing is impossible with God.For you. For the ones you desperately love. And to ascertain what our posture is to be in the interim. I can imagine that the news of Jesus’ coming – what we term as “Good News” – had a big feeling of bad news for Mary in that moment. But when the initial dust settled, her posture - reeling as it may have been - was one of palms-up, arms out humility and deference to the One she knows, above all, to be Good.May it be so with us. When information is a torrent.When expectations are a trap.When life is a frenzy.When we care and we hurt and we fear and we reel.May we know and deeply believe: nothing is impossible with God. Like young, expectant Mary, we are His servants. May it be done to us according to what He, in his infinite goodness and boundless love, deems best. For His glory and our good. Amen. 

Drawing by Aby, 1st grade.

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Isaiah 11:6-9

Jeff B.

As Christmas draws near, a word that comes to mind is "anticipation". While growing up, I remember anticipating Christmas morning and opening the presents my parents bought for me. As a college student, Christmas meant Christmas Break and a respite from the work of a 20-credit course load. As a young man working in banking, Christmas meant the end of another fiscal year, and I looked forward with GREAT anticipation to the bonus I would receive as a reward for my hard work that year. And as a father, I became a Gift-giver and looked forward to the joy I'd see on my daughters' faces as they opened the gifts my wife Mary and I had bought them.But Christmas took on a whole new meaning for me in 1987 when I met Jesus for the first time. It was through Him I received the ULTIMATE gift – the gift of true life – that helped me overcome the alcoholism that virtually ruined my marriage. And gratefully, Mary and I will celebrate our 45th anniversary on December 2.Now in my mid-60s, I've lived long enough to experience the seemingly never-ending conflicts that perpetuate the hurt and pain human beings inflict upon one another. My heart goes out to the Ukrainians, fighting desperately to live free from Russian oppression. I grieve for those suffering in the war on the Gaza Strip. And I find myself longing for peace – the "peace on earth, good will towards men" - announced 2,000 years ago when Jesus was born (Luke 2:14).But I am encouraged by the words written some 2,750 years ago found in Isaiah 11:1-9, which anticipates when King Jesus will inaugurate his kingdom and reign with righteousness. Isaiah provides this beautiful picture of the peace that will reign in that day: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea." (Is 11:6-9; cf 65:24-25)And while all "creation groans and labors" (Rom 8:22-23) in anticipation of that day, I am reminded of the ADMONITION given to me as a follower of Jesus:"Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Rom 12:16-18) Just as Jesus laid down His life for me (1 John 3:16), I am challenged to "lie down" and live peaceably with all – including those I disagree with and perhaps even dislike. In this way, I can show my appreciation for the gift He has given me. 

Drawing by Darion, 3rd grade.

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John 1:10-13

Sonja S.

He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him.He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. John’s gospel does not begin with the birth of Jesus. John presents Jesus as God incarnate – fully God, existing before creation. John 1:3 tells us that Jesus created everything that exists in this world. Therefore, it belongs to Him. When sin entered the world, God told man that He would send One who would “bruise Satan’s head” or deal the fatal blow to the power of sin over humanity. Now the time had come – the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was “in the world.” But by this time sin had corrupted man, leaving him self-centered, power-hungry and believing only in his own wisdom. The people God had chosen to serve Him, Israel, thought the promised One would come in power and restore their nation to glory and prominence and place their leaders in high places.“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:10) How could they? A baby, born to poor parents from Galilee (definitely the wrong side of the tracks); born in a stable in Bethlehem, was not at all what they expected. He had no power; no prestige. He was a “nobody”!  When, as a young man, He began His ministry, only the average people saw anything special in Him. The Jewish leadership saw only that He didn’t fit their idea of who the Messiah would be. He did not support their leadership or teach the way they taught. “He came to that which was his own (the world was His creation), but his own (the people of Israel) did not receive him.” (John 1:11)This did not change God’s plan. It was already in motion through the coming of Jesus. God is holy and righteous. Sin had to be dealt with justly. Only God could do that and, at the same time, save humanity from eternal death. That was why Jesus had come. God knew that many in Israel, and the world would not accept His plan because their sin blinded them. But His plan foresaw a body of people who would see their need for a Savior and believe in Jesus, who fulfilled all the words of the law and the prophets. They would acknowledge who He was, place their faith in Him and yield to His authority. “ Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— “ (John 1:12) God chose to freely give everyone who put their faith in the salvation Jesus offered through His perfect death the authority to become a part of His family, God’s children. How could that be?Becoming God’s child did not involve human DNA or an act accomplished by people. God gave the believer a new life by placing His divine nature (the Holy Spirit) into him when he believed and was saved. We are “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:13). What mercy! What grace!

Drawing by Kinzie, 5th grade.

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Revelation 19:4-21

Glenn P.

The grad student dialoguing with me was heavy with questions posed by her agnostic friends about hell and God’s judgment. She found it hard to reconcile the God of love and the message of forgiveness with visions of fiery torment. As we talked, I explained that there are many orthodox Christian views of what the final judgment will be like, but the main thing Christians are asked to do is to trust Jesus as the Judge. She was visibly relieved.For whatever reason—we might blame Dante or folk religion or medieval superstition—we often imagine God’s judgment to be impersonal and cold, like a mass execution or a bomb detonated from a distance. But Revelation deliberately shows us Jesus involved in the judgment of the nations. I think there are two reasons for this.First, justice and judgment are two sides of the same coin. To enact justice, one must execute judgment. If we want Jesus the Mighty God to set the world right, he must deal with injustice and evil together. Here the justice and judgment of Jesus are depicted in a vivid way that would have held sway in first-century minds: a warrior on a horse with a sword. But we must be careful with our assumptions here.Which leads us to the second reason why Jesus is shown as the one who carries out justice and judgment: The Jesus who is returning is the same Jesus who came. There is no change of identity between advents. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8); this conviction helps us consider how Jesus enacts justice and executes judgment. On the cross, Jesus died in solidarity with the sinner and the sufferer. He bore the weight of God’s judgment on evil.If we were to ask how Jesus responds to injustice and evil, the answer is he bleeds. Judgment fell on him so that justice—wrongs being set right—could come to all. When we see Jesus coming like a warrior whose robe is dipped in blood, the blood could well be his own. After all, this is a king like none other. Jesus embodies might and power in a way we’ve never known before.Yet this passage doesn’t leave us without a warning. There are those who resist this king, who insist on their own way, their own rule, their own empire. For them, life will meet its end. The gruesome images of being devoured depict the erosion of life.The King of Kings brings life by his death. But if you resist his life and insist on protecting your own, instead of life you will get death.Judgment and justice belong together. And the one who will carry out both is Faithful and True. Will we trust him with enacting justice and executing judgment?

Drawing by Haley, 2nd grade.

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Isaiah 9:6

Janys B.

… and His name shall be calledWonderful, Counselor,Mighty God,Everlasting Father,Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6b  When you’re in trouble, whether in a nation or a family, it’s reassuring to remember that you have a Prince, a Commander in Chief, who’s reigning supreme over your circumstances. Even if you’re not in any dire straits at the moment, given time, you will be because you have an enemy working against you. He’s your adversary, but he’s defeated. Jesus’ name is Prince of Peace due to the truth that He came the first time to offer Himself as a sacrifice for your sin; that means you have shalom, or wholeness in Christ. He fought the heavenly battle for your soul, and now he desires that you live in that shalom-peace every day. Biblically, peace is not simply tranquility, although it is, it’s also experiencing wholeness in your body, soul, and finally, and most importantly, in your spirit. Health is vital (body), emotions in check is crucial (soul), and experiencing life in Christ (spirit) is essential.Sometimes it’s hard to believe that the newborn baby we celebrate this Christmas is also the Sovereign, the King, and the Prince ruling with justice over the world. However, that truth remains secure; you just have to believe it. As you remain in that posture of waiting, remembering He’s returning, the second advent, He’ll prove to the entire world He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords as He takes His place in the renewed kingdom. When you sing ‘O come, O come, Immanuel’ this advent season, keep in mind that you’re inviting His return and anxiously waiting for it.  

Drawing by Lilliana, 4th grade.

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Isaiah 40:3-5

Robin C.

Isaiah 40:3-5A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare    the way for the Lord;make straight in the desert    a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up,    every mountain and hill made low;the rough ground shall become level,    the rugged places a plain.And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,    and all people will see it together.For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” This passage in Isaiah tells us that God chose John the Baptist 700 years before Jesus arrived on earth to prepare the people's hearts and usher in the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Whenever I read anything in Isaiah, I remember that Jesus read these very words. Luke 4 tells of a time when Jesus went to the synagogue and read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. After he finished, he told them. "Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." So when Jesus read the words above, he knew they were prophetic words about John the Baptist preparing the people for his arrival. John's evangelism was "making a highway in the desert" for Jesus.When Jesus asked John to baptize him, John was reluctant. John had told the people he was not worthy to untie the sandals of the coming Messiah. (Luke 3) But when he did baptize Jesus, he saw the spirit of God descend on Jesus, and he heard a voice from Heaven say, "This is my son, whom I love and am well pleased." At that moment, he must have felt like the "Glory of the Lord was revealed" and "The Mouth of the Lord had spoken."But I also think about when John the Baptist was put in prison and seemed to have some doubts about Jesus. Where was the powerful Messiah everyone had expected? I'm sure he wondered why he found himself in prison if Jesus was really the savior. John sent two disciples to Jesus to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" Jesus sent word back to tell John, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news proclaimed to the poor."It's incredible, and also comforting to me that the man who saw the Glory of the Lord descend, and heard a voice from Heaven as he baptized Jesus still experienced some doubts when his life was in crisis. But I believe that John died knowing that "Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed." The world was truly never the same after Jesus.At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus to our world. How can we be like John and prepare the way and make a path in the desert of our world for the arrival of Jesus? Our world is looking for hope and something to believe in. We have the good news that he can still raise the valleys of despair, make the mountains of heartbreak low, smooth the rough and rugged places of our hearts, and reveal his glory throughout the earth. 

Drawing by Myka, 2nd grade.

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O' Little Town

Micah 5:2Ryan B.

When you read the Bible, it does not take long for humanity to make a mess of things. By the third chapter of Genesis, our first parents had turned their backs to God, wanting to do things their way. The remainder of Scripture, up to the last chapter of the last book of Revelation, is the unfolding of God's plan to restore humanity back to the One who created them through the coming of Christ.There are many places in the Old Testament that point ahead to the coming of Jesus Christ. One of them is by the prophet Micah. Although not as well-known as other Old Testament books, Micah utters one of the most explicitly detailed and recognized prophecies concerning Christ centuries before it happens. Specifically, Jesus is to be born in "little" Bethlehem; it is one of hundreds of prophecies that will come to pass throughout the lifetime of Jesus.During this advent season, I reflect on the wonder of God's Word to us in the Bible. The Bible is unlike any other religious text. It is where the supernatural, spiritual realm of God – the true reality – contacts our physical world. Bethlehem is as real a place now as it was then. In its Gospel setting, it was a backwater, insignificant village unworthy of notice. That the Savior of the world was to be born in such a place is crazy enough, but also being born to a couple on the bottom rung of the social ladder in Israel. That is about as humbling as it gets. It shows that while our God is all-powerful and infinite, He takes delight in displays of unexpected humility.This speaks to many things about our world's values, such as money, power, beauty, popularity, Instagram followers – the list is endless! The incarnate Christ possessed none of that. He had neither nobility nor pedigree when he came into the world, in a backwater village called Bethlehem, which was "too little to be among the clans of Judah," as foretold by Micah.The circumstances of His birth teach us an important lesson: that God loves everyone, even those the world labels "unimpressive." He does not show partiality or favoritism like the world does because he is the one who gives everything to everyone. Everything is from him and will return to him, no matter how great or "little" they are.     

Drawing by Asher, 4th grade.

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At DSBC, one of our core values is to equip you to discern your own convictions by the power of the Spirit of God. We believe that this is best done when studying scriptures with others. Here are some great opportunities coming up in the next few weeks.

On Sundays

• New Love Does groups start August 6th.
• A new group exploring Jesus in the Gospels starts August 20th.
• The Bereans are studying the Lord's Prayer on Sundays.
• Rooted groups launch in early September.
• A podcast based study of James starts August 20th.
• Through the Bible is studying the book of Romans.
• The Deep Dive with Pastor Caleb meets Sundays at 11am.
• A Gospel Formation Cohort starts September 10th.

During the Week

• Political Disciple, 3-week class, starts August 30th.
• At the Table, exploring gender expression launches September 21st.
• The Young Adult Group meets on Thursdays for study and food.
• Student Ministries meets Sundays and Wednesdays for Bible study.
• A new group study of the Apostles Creed starts August 31st.
• Mothers of Preschoolers start a new season September 12th.

For all of our groups, studies and events, visit dsbc.church/events. We pray that these opportunities would be a blessing to you! Also, if you are interested in hosting a study or group, email Pastor Dawn at dawn@dsbc.church.

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DSBC is committed to cultivating a loving community that disrupts complacency and fosters healing for the broken... which is all of us. 

A LOVING COMMUNITY

Though we all come from different walks of life, perspectives and backgrounds ,we are committed to uniting together in love. Jesus told us that people would know that we are his followers by the way that we love one another (see John 13:35).

THAT DISTRUPTS COMPLACENCY

One ancient Christian said that 'all of life is repentance.' A life of turning from our own way towards God's way of living, thinking and acting. Repentance often starts with disruption, encountering a circumstance, conversation or thought that, like smelling-salts, jolts us awake to the reality that God wants us to discover. As a church family, we are committed to pursuing Jesus-centered conversations that disrupt areas of complacency in our lives. This involves engaging the scriptures and having conversations about issues like race, immigration, gender & sexuality, class, power & violence, government and politics and many more.

FOSTERS HEALING FOR THE BROKEN, WHICH IS ALL OF US.

As we engage in conversations that disrupt complacency, we do so while striving to focus on our own growth and living the fruit of the Spirit (see The Rules of the Road), seeking to learn from each other and grow. As a church family, we strive to foster safe, Jesus-centered, Holy Spirit empowered spaces for healing, unity and reconciliation. When we engage in peaceful, gracious, just, reconciling conversations about ‘divisive’ issues, we put the Kingdom of God on display in our fractured city.

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To live fully involves feeling deeply.  Our feelings are gifts from God and are part of loving deeply and living well. Sadness, anger, fear, hurt, lonely, shame, guilt, and gladness are all  They are a part of us living fully, loving deeply, and leading well.In March 2023, Pastor Caleb was joined by his therapist, Phil Herndon. Together they shared about the gifts and impairments that can be revealed when we engage our feelings. Click here for the video.During the sermon, they invited us identify, explore and express our feelings. They shared this chart to help us identify our feelings.    Recommended PodcastsSimply Stories: Identity + Purpose + Gifts w/ Phil HerndonLive Fully: Returning to yourself w/ Phil Herndon and Chip DoddLife Fully: The Doorway of the Human Heart w/ Chip Dodd and Stephen James Recommended BooksVoice of the Heart by Chip DoddEmotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete ScazzeroVoice of the Heart Bible Study by Jeff Schulte and Phil Herndon

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Politics is about people. It’s is what we call “managing our common life together.1” Engaging in political processes and discussions is a key was we love our neighbor as our self. But what posture should we take towards politics? I submit that there are three common postures towards politics that are less-than-ideal or downright harmful […]

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We strive to equip you to discern your own convictions by the power of the Holy Spirit. We invite you to use these podcast resources for robust conversations, helpful training and in-depth Bible study. The Bible Project The creators of Bible Project have in-depth conversations about the Bible and theology. A companion podcast to BibleProject […]

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Why are you part of DSBC? It is a question I often ask people from DSBC. Most of the time, I hear some version of “Connecting with Jesus, connecting with others and connecting my faith to real life.” It is because of this that we are making a strategic shift in our Sunday Schedule. Let […]

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My Story is a series of testimonials from a variety of people that have been impacted by DSBC. They have been asked to share their unfiltered perspective on faith, Jesus, church etc. These stories are shared with the goal of hearing from others and equipping our church family to work towards a Jesus-centered unity as […]

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This content was originally presented as a group study. Click here for a copy of the original handout.  For more discussion on Ethnicity in the Bible, check out this podcast by Pastor Caleb  and this deep dive study of Ethnicity in Acts.   “The Holy Spirt emerges as the central figure in the formation of […]

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The church is, by design, a multi-ethnic community. A diverse local church, living in unity, serves as a witness to the reconciling power of Jesus and the inclusion of all peoples in God’s kingdom. Jesus calls all people to follow him, and the local church is meant to be a physical manifestation of this reality – a […]

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A note about this article: I have intentionally not included anything about what we can DO about gun violence in this article. I am praying through and working on a pastoral response to that question. Frankly, everything within me wants to jump to action, to work to end these senseless killings. However, I know that to […]

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God is a community (Father, Son, Spirit) and we humans, made in his image, are designed to know and be known by a loving community. The communities that we are part of shape us over time and are spaces that can grow us and enliven our hearts. While Jesus does show us that there is […]

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One of the core values at DSBC is to equip people to discern their own convictions by the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the key ways we can grow and learn is by studying the Bible together. We invite you to join Pastor Caleb for a series of ‘one-off’ Bible studies that will […]

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My Story is a series of testimonials from a variety of people that have been impacted by DSBC. They have been asked to share their unfiltered perspective on faith, Jesus, church etc. These stories are shared with the goal of hearing from others and equipping our church family to work towards a Jesus-centered unity as […]

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Let’s make sure that every kid, regardless of ability, feels welcome and has a great time on our campus! One of our core values as a church family is generosity, striving to live as the hands and feet of Jesus by providing for the material and emotional needs of our community and others in […]

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“Follow Me” -Jesus I have been a Jesus follower (aka ‘disciple’ in the Bible) for a few years now. I have found it to be a path that leads to justice, peace, grace, reconciliation and life abundant (as well as lament, pain, anger and frustration). In a time when darkness seems to reign, the light […]

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On occasion we get the question “Why do we talk about racism so much at DSBC?” This brief article lays out a brief answer to that question and gives the ‘why’ behind the reason why we frequently engage this topic head on. 1. Jesus’ vision and design for the church is that it would be […]

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“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Jesus (Matthew 25:35)   The Bible has a lot to say about caring for ‘the stranger’. As a church family, we strive to live generously by using our time, skills and […]

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Jesus’ call to live generously carries with it many questions about our values and how to live wisely. In this letter, I hope to offer you a biblical, and personal, perspective and provide tools to help you uncover your convictions of what generous living looks like in your life.  I am not writing as a financial […]

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During our 2021 On The Mend series, we studied Biblical principles and practices that equip us to engage in the processes of forgiveness and reconciliation. God Forgives 1 Jn 1:9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Matt 26:28 […]

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An open letter from Pastor Caleb Campbell  To my DSBC Church Family, Over the last year there has been a lot of hurt and offence in our nation, community and church family. Ideologies have passionately been promoted that can feel confusing and frustrating. Most of us have experienced sadness, outrage, anger and fatigue in this […]