Category Archives: Holy-Days

Happy Fear and Terror Day!

Posted on March 27, 2016 by smaxreisert

At Old South, we are following the Narrative Lectionary, rather than the Revised Common Lectionary, which means that we’ve been marching our way through the Gospel According to Mark for quite some time. We wrap up Mark today, Easter, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holy-Days | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When Silence Is the Guide

Posted on March 20, 2016 by smaxreisert

I’ve been in the ministry long enough that I’m rarely truly surprised by something church-related. But, today was one of those rare days of blessed surprise—on one of the saddest days of the Christian year. A few years ago, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days, My Life as Pastor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What Should Christmas Feel Like?

Posted on December 24, 2015 by smaxreisert

Maine is experiencing one of its warmest Decembers ever, perhaps the warmest ever. When we gather for our annual Old South Christmas Eve service at 7:00, the temperature will be hovering around 50. For this part of the world at … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Now Is the Season of My Discontent

Posted on December 17, 2015 by smaxreisert

There’s a lot I love about this season, about Advent and Christmas, in the preparation, and waiting, and some of the most interesting and provocative dimensions of faith and the biblical narrative. It’s not easy being a clergyperson at this … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holy-Days | Leave a comment

What Would Mary Want?

Posted on December 11, 2015 by smaxreisert

Confession: On Sunday afternoons, when I finally have a chance to look through the Sunday New York Times, the first place I go is the “Style” section. It’s not that I’m into style, or fashion. I go there for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Holy-Days | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Trinity Sunday and the Gloria

Posted on May 29, 2015 by smaxreisert

I grew up in a very congregational church, in a church that kept its attachment to the wider church, the United Church of Christ, in parentheses (literally) and in small print, left to languish at the bottom of the front … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged | Leave a comment

To Take Up One’s [Chocolate] Cross

Posted on April 2, 2015 by smaxreisert

I’m taking a week off from the “We’re Doomed” series in order to spend a few moments to rant a bit over Holy Week and mass consumer culture. It’s bad enough at Christmas, when the holiday feels almost completely detached … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Leave a comment

The Problem with Christmas

Posted on December 27, 2014 by smaxreisert

I have certain mixed feelings about Christmas. As a clergyperson, I find the holiday to be especially fraught. I not only have the usual craziness of the season—gifts to purchase for family and friends, holiday gatherings to attend and to … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Leave a comment

The Problem with Pageants

Posted on December 13, 2014 by smaxreisert

I want to like them. I want to like the annual Christmas Pageant. Really, I do. But, every year when this tradition comes along, I can’t help but cringe—at least a little. It’s not that everything goes horribly wrong, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Leave a comment

Advent Lessons from the Pregnant Women

Posted on December 3, 2014 by smaxreisert

Although it’s a crazy, busy time of year, I love Advent. I love it for all of its wondrous, yet not quite realized, images of anticipation, waiting, pregnancy and birth. Christianity has never fully embraced these concepts, probably because so … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , | Leave a comment