FAITH

"After a couple of years of celebrating apart because of the pandemic, and also for having just lived through another rancorous national election, we all could use the joy and hope and anticipation that is promised us in Christmas, in the birth of a mighty little king born in a manger."

The antidote you need comes from the Bible’s most morbid book: Ecclesiastes. This is the short Old Testament book that concludes that all human emotion, activity and ambition results in hevel, an awesome Hebrew word that means fog, mist, vanity and meaninglessness.

"I like that we are still discovering creatures previously unknown to us even though we are supposedly firmly into our golden scientific age. It’s a good and humbling reminder of our place in the order of things. ... I marvel at a God who would create us in his image, but still take the time to fashion the prehistoric-looking conger eel — it’s real, look it up! — for purposes I will never comprehend."

"There are a ton of reasons for poverty. I don’t know how to solve any of those, but I do know how to solve hungry kids — and that will have a long-term effect on poverty.”

Even a pastor needs divine reassurance every once in a while.

"(I)n the Lutheran tradition ... We believe all believers are one big collection of saints, and we especially are grateful for those saints who precede us in death and now guide us from the other side of eternity. The observance of All Saints Sunday is a venerable tradition that can evoke a lot of emotion."

Devlyn Brooks writes: "Having the privilege of participating in discussing how complicated these young peoples’ lives are today, we had it easy. These kids face daily pressures and circumstances that force them to grow up way faster than previous generations."

God calls us to be genuine, authentic and faithful as we journey forward in this life.

"I see each of you, and my prayer today is that you feel the love of the Holy Spirit wrapping itself around you," Devlyn Brooks writes. "From one grateful traveler to you, please know that your work matters!"