Matthew 2:1-12December 22, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott The theme of my Advent series this year is “Christmas Midrash,” and for the last time, midrash means the extra dialogue, story details, and commentary that ancient Jewish rabbis added to scripture in order to help people better understand its meaning.  Midrash is valued in Judaism, often … More The Midrash of Christmas: The Three Kings

Isaiah 60:1-6Luke 2:8-12December 15, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott The theme of my Advent series this year is “Christmas Midrash,” and every week of Advent, my description of what midrash means is going to get shorter because I assume that you will have heard this definition in at least one of the previous weeks.  In … More The Midrash of Christmas: It Came at Midnight

Luke 2:1-7December 1, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott [Introduction to scripture]  We are a multi-denominational church which respects the various Christian traditions represented by the members of our church and so today, in honor of those who come from a Catholic, Anglican, or some other high church tradition, I will be preaching a homily instead … More The Midrash of Christmas: The Innkeeper

Luke 2:1-7December 8, 2019Union University ChurchReverend Laurie DeMott For those who weren’t here last week, and for those who were but were asleep, the theme of my Advent series this year is “Christmas Midrash.”  In ancient Judaism, rabbis would often expand on scripture by adding commentary, dialogue between characters, or additional details not found in … More The Midrash of Christmas: The Animals in the Stable