Category Archives: sermon

Year C Christmas 1: Incarnate Word

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

On Thursday morning, in company with many around the world, I was in my kitchen baking Christmas treats and listening to the Festival of Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge. This morning’s gospel lesson was already on my mind … Continue reading →

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Sermon for a Christmas Eve pageant

Posted on December 26, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

And so here we all are. Here is Mary, exhausted. There’s a reason that childbirth is called labour: it’s a workout. Here is Joseph, permanently bewildered, still not really sure what’s happening, but see the love that he has for … Continue reading →

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Year C Advent 4: kissing cousins

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

When we moved to Singapore, in 1998, my cousin and her husband were packing up to move back to Britain. We overlapped by just a couple of weeks. Lisa came out to the condo and gave me some tips on … Continue reading →

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Second thoughts

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

Mary did not float through her pregnancy without her swollen feet touching the ground. When Mary returned to her senses, the bread was burning, and she nearly took the skin off her hands snatching it from the fire in a … Continue reading →

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Year C Advent 3: Rejoice anyway

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

The third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. The rose candle is lit – if one is used – and the readings rejoice in God our saviour. Gaudete! Rejoice always, as the letter to the Philippians commands. And … Continue reading →

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The letter of Zephaniah to the Philippians, as recorded in the Gospel of John the Baptist according to Luke

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, ‘Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice, you brood of vipers! Rejoice in the Lord and exult with all your heart! Continue reading →

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Lesser known legends of St Nicolas

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

Nikolai was born in Demre, Turkey, formerly known as Myra. Nikolai was born into a wealthy family, but he was orphaned at a young age and raised by monks at a local orphanage. When he came of age, Nikolai travelled … Continue reading →

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Preaching peace unpeacefully

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

I preached peace anyway; the peace that passes understanding; the peace with which Jesus leaves us, although he spent a lot of time, too, promising persecution. I worry that this will not be received as good news. Continue reading →

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Year C Advent 1: a new thing

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for this Advent. I am ready for God to do a new thing, which is what Advent is about: God breaking through our routines and rituals and riots and routs to … Continue reading →

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Christ the King: preaching the parable of the kingdoms

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

My kingdom, says Jesus, is not from this world. We pray, constantly, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, because the kingdom of Christ is not from this world, but this world needs it, badly. If my kingdom … Continue reading →

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