1. Reading includes, on some level, striving. Hearing, on the other hand, remains passive.
  2. The further up and further into the season of Epiphany we get, the bigger the grace of God in Christ is, the brighter the Light of Christ shines, and the more blessed we are in Jesus' epiphany for us.
  3. The sign of the cross, according to the earliest centuries of Christians, is “the sign of the Lord,” and every baptized Christian was “marked” with it.
  4. Despite our best efforts to avoid him, King Jesus remains very much unavoidable.
  5. Rejoice with Mary as she would rejoice with you. Be blessed, like her, with humility from God, so that you may serve joyfully and willingly wherever and in whatever role God has placed you.
  6. When and how did the church start this season of anticipation?
  7. While the world is full of horizons and endpoints, for Christians, there is always tomorrow, and there are people in that tomorrow waiting for us as we wait for them.
  8. Help comes for those who cannot help themselves. When we bottom-out and come to the end of ourselves, that is where hope springs.
  9. Preachers and church workers must also hear the gospel preached to them.
  10. Through water, blood, and word, the Spirit never stops pointing us to Christ, and even more, giving us Christ.
  11. The good news is that with our God there is always more: more than we deserve, dare, ask, or expect, more than we can see, hear, feel, or think.