We begin our Black History Month sermon series acknowledging the historical and systemic ruins caused by racial injustice, identifying how all believers are affected by a broken system, and recognizing the call to see the world through the eyes of the oppressed.

In today's society, identifying oneself as a Christian communicates a myriad of possible meanings, not many of them positive. Our actions are visible symbols of the deeper meaning of the name. So just what does it mean to be a Christian?

Today is Baptism of the Lord Sunday in churches around the world. But what even is baptism in the 21st century? Just because Jesud did it, does that mean we should too?

As we end the series, Herod is still in power. Christ is born, yet it feels as if the world has not changed. The temptation to give up is strong, especially in the face of violence. But the magi don’t let Herod’s fear-driven demands stop them from honoring the newborn Christ or returning home by a different way.

Is my hope solely dependent upon outcomes, tangible proof, or positive change? Can I practice hope even when I don’t see the fruits of my labor? Do I trust that God is at work, even if I cannot always see it? Might God be at work in ways I don’t expect? This week in our series is about cultivating a gritty and resilient hope that is not easily diminished by our doubts and fears.

Both Luke and Matthew begin their gospels by orienting us within “the time of King Herod,” and so we begin the series by fleshing out what it might have been like to live in the days when Jesus was born—a time not all that different from our own.

Today is Christ the King Sunday on the global church calendar. What might it mean for us to celebrate a king who does not behave like the earthly kings we have known?

The world seems to be getting worse. But our calling in God is to hope, and to trust that what we see and feel, is not all there is at work in this world.