A Listening Season: Sermons for Advent and Christmas by L. Ted Smith

The twelfth-century abbot and contemplative known to history as The Mellifluous Teacher' wrote sermons for the entire Christmas liturgical cycle -- from the first Sunday of Advent (four weeks before Christmas) to the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary/Presentation of Christ in the Temple (2 February). As he reflects on the wonder of the Incarnation, he reminds Christians still today that Christmas celebrates the awesome condescension of God-with-us, not a commercial carnival.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

"Collected from his writings in Lutherische Brosamen, 1876; Ansprachen und Gebete, 1888; Casual Predigten und Reden, 1889; Festklaenge, 1892."

All too often, many people find traditional worship dull and the sermons they hear impractical for living in today's world. Yet Linda McCoy is convinced that the message of God's unconditional love is the most vital word for life anyone can receive -- especially those who have never heard or truly experienced it. Her inspiring sermons share that message of hope with modern Americans by bridging the gap between the sacred and the secular. As the fruit of her non-traditional ministry directed toward those who have never been part of a church or who have been "turned off" or "disenfranchised" by the established church, McCoy's short, to-the-point messages effectively and relevantly communicate the good news to anyone who is searching for an experience of the Divine. Readers of these sermons will be connected to a deep sense of purpose and enriched by God's amazing love and grace. Sermon titles include: - Prepare For Arrival (Matthew 3:1-12) - The Power Of A Dream (Matthew 2:13-23) - Positive Identification (John 1:29-42) - Building Bridges (Matthew 5:21-37) - It's A Mystery (Matthew 17:1-9) Linda Schiphorst McCoy has been the pastor of The Garden (a Blossom of St. Luke's United Methodist Church) in Indianapolis since 1995, and from 1982-1995 served as associate pastor at St. Luke's. McCoy earned degrees in French (B.A.) and Education (M.S.) from Indiana University, and received her theological training from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis (M.Div.) and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio (D.Min.).

Darrell Johnson's book is for any pastor or student who wants to cultivate a deeper pulpit approach, one that participates in the transforming mystery of God working through our less-than-perfect proclamation. Here is a solid foundation for preaching the good news as if God was living, Jesus was resurrected and the Holy Spirit was faithfully at work among us.