Before listening to this 25 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this second week in Advent:

Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25.

Which text is most hopeful or encouraging to you?

Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?

Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about our community or congregation? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider the plural/communal nature of the readings. Note where the texts are making “we” and “us” and “all” statements.

Topics and terms covered in this episode: A Genealogy of Righteousness, Diana Butler Bass, Bruce Cockburn, Metanoia, God with us, Eschatology.

View the video for this episode at https://youtu.be/evDggX9kLb0. Additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025

Before listening to this 28 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this third week in Advent:

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; Luke 1:46b-55 (alternate); James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

What text is most recognizable or memorable to you?

Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?

Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about my neighbor? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider these two statements from Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“…we ought freely to support our neighbor with our body and its actions, and each person ought to become to the other a kind of Christ.” - Martin Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian

“Christian love knows no limits. It seeks to realize God’s rule in each and every place.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Sanctorum Communio

Topics and terms covered in this episode: Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Walter Bouman, Sojourner Truth, Holy History (Heilsgeschichte), honesty that is rooted in Christ.

The video of this episode is at https://youtu.be/LsoVa9hkC50. Additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025

Before listening to this 20 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this first week in Advent:

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12.

• What text is most recognizable or memorable to you?
• Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?

Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about my own tradition? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider the writers and original hearers of these texts. How have their traditions informed or not informed my own?

Topics and terms covered in this episode: Holy History (Heilsgeschichte), Soteria, Ecclesia, and Torah,

Video for this episode is at https://youtu.be/7SxwD84jtKU and additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025