This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335
Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?

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You might not know it, but every Christian hopes for the day when their faith will die. Really. I promise. Faith’s death is our celebration.
The same Christ we proclaim to the people in our pews is the same Christ who is for those not in our pews.
Justification and regeneration are, therefore, necessarily connected and have profound implications upon the craft of preaching.
During this season of Epiphany, we experience more than the revelation of who Jesus is. We also celebrate how Jesus makes God fully known.
Our children are not our own, but even more, our children are born in need. They are sinful, from conception and from birth.
Jesus turning water into wine calls for you to believe: To believe in Him.
Not only does God reveal the identity of Jesus in this season through what we see and hear Jesus doing and saying, but God also reveals His gracious will through Jesus despite what we see and hear.
The shepherds are the most unlikely people to play the role the angels cast them in.
The episode of the boy Jesus in the Temple raises questions. It raised questions for Mary (and Joseph) and it raises questions for us.
Luke does not say much else about Anna, especially in comparison to Simeon. But the fact that he mentions her suggests she has something to teach your hearers today.
We don’t have to worry about deserving, earning, or reciprocating his gifts. Our Lord doesn’t give us what we deserve. We are given what he deserves, what Jesus has won for us.
Moses was sent to keep the house in order, but this Child is sent to bring the house home, and you are part of that house, the household of God.