Church holy days

God’s love is indestructible

We are celebrating a grave today, an empty one, because this emptiness entails a doctrine: the angry God is no longer among us, long live the loving God. And this love gives life. A somewhat different approach to Easter. More


The power of words and the potency of silence

All He would have had to do was say the right words and His agony would have vanished into thin air. But He remained eloquently silent and went His way. Join us as we look at the silent twists and turns on Jesus’ way to the cross. More


The donkey, that’s me

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing when He chose His mount to enter Jerusalem. What’s more, He sent signals right up to our own time. Here is a reflection on the theme of Palm Sunday. More


Four words that help!

There is a message that weaves its way through the Christmas story. And Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds are not the only ones to have heard it. Jesus Himself repeats this greeting again and again—and in so doing brings us new courage even today. More


Ascension: so far and yet so close

An end that marked a beginning: by ascending to heaven Jesus Christ did not create distance between Himself and us, but actually came closer to us. Here are some thoughts on Ascension Day, which falls within Eastertide. More


Nearer to God: we are Thomas

Unbelieving? You must be kidding! It is precisely the doubter who comes closest to God. The key witness is the often misunderstood Thomas. Here is a somewhat different perspective on the account of Easter. More


Good Friday: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani

The Friday before Easter is a silent day. Anyone who has ever had to cope with grief and loss knows how good silence can be. Jesus’ companions were also in mourning. They had had to look on as their Master was tortured, crucified, and killed. They were right there and witnessed these barbaric acts… More


Ascension 2021: Let’s not stand still, but carry on

Whether witnesses are believed or not is something everybody has to decide for themselves. What counts is the credibility of their testimony and whether they themselves believe their own account! The disciples, who witnessed Jesus ascend into heaven, stuck to their version of the story and refused to budge even a millimetre. More


Women—the key witnesses at the empty tomb

It is a puzzling case indeed. A corpse is missing. But every last clue has long since crumbled to dust. There are the witness statements, of course. But even some of these are pretty confused. What does it all mean? More


Good Friday: paid in full

Sometimes a few words suffice to explain a complicated matter. And sometimes even a single word is enough! One with a particularly powerful meaning. Can Good Friday be explained in one word? It is worth a try. More


A triumphant welcome ends in disaster

It had all begun so well: the people had thrown palm branches in His path. They had even cheered and celebrated! They had hailed Him as their King. They had blown Him kisses and raised their arms to try and touch Him—they had had such good thoughts toward Him! But the celebration turned ugly soon enough. More


Gratitude not only on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day commemorates the creatorship of God. This is what the New Apostolic Catechism says. Once a year, a Sunday is set aside for this in the church calendar. But gratitude is something that Christians can show God on all the other days of the year as well, the Chief Apostle says. More


Pentecost joy? It’s all up to us!

The workspace of all Christians is the world. It is through believers that the triune God desires to speak and act. And that is precisely how the Son of God set everything up: His gospel needs a church in which it can be preached. Thoughts on the feast of Pentecost 2020. More


There is work to be done

“What are you standing there staring into space?” That was the question to the sky-gazing disciples, and it could have been taken as a gentle rebuke. It was followed by the exhortation: “Don’t just stand there. Get on with it.” Here is why Ascension is more topical than ever. More


Why Good Friday is indeed a good Friday

Good Friday is definitely not a bad day. Actually, only hopeful Christians can understand this turn of phrase. For Good Friday, after all, is the day of the Lord’s death, but with His death Christ also made new life possible. Perspectives of a special kind. More


Jesus is the reason for the season!

Just give thanks again! Right before the celebration of Christmas is a good time to do so. Why? Because Jesus Christ has come into this world and has become Man. He alone (!) is the reason we celebrate Christmas. More


The beginning of something new

Jesus entered Jerusalem, and of all things on the back of a donkey. For many of those who witnessed this it was outrageous. After all, the people had been expecting the Messiah, who had been announced as a king. And now this!? By the end of the week, Jesus Christ will have been killed. More


Opening our hearts to welcome Jesus

A stable, a manger, an ox, and a donkey—this is how we picture the night that changed everything. But wait a minute: two of three components in the nativity scene don’t even belong there. The question is therefore very important: do you recognise the sign? More


Pausing amid the Christmas rush

All Jonah wanted was to get away from the Lord. He ran off without a destination in mind. Deep down he actually knew that running away from God was useless. But it was worth a try. Then came a forced break; for someone who needed to calm down. More


The woman who laughed twice

Sometimes Advent takes too long—years and even decades, instead of a few weeks or months. This is when patience begins to wear thin and people are driven to acts of despair. And yet, there may be something to laugh about in the end. This is explained in a Bible classic. More


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