I have a new frame, a new construct, a new living memory for what grace is. Which is extraordinary, because grace is such a cornerstone concept for people of faith. Grace is God’s orientation, relation. Grace is God’s approach to us and with us. Grace …
Read MoreChristmas Eve in New Zealand
We trickled out of our hostels and hotels, we travelers from far-flung spaces, winding our way by twos and threes and sixes to tiny St. James Anglican Church. It wasn’t until Elaine and I reached the quiet one lane highway that I realized we weren’t …
Read MoreAnd “The First Noel” winner is…
…Leslie Odom Jr. and PS 22, in a popular and electoral landslide! Thanks for joining in the abbreviated fun this year! We will be back at it in 11 and a half months! Merry Christmas!
Read MoreGratefulness and Jubilee
Tonight we leave for New Zealand. Seeing those words on the screen staring back at me increases the shock and amazement already in my head. Tonight we leave for New Zealand, thanks to over a hundred of you who gave generously, to those who planned …
Read MoreThe First Noel-Final Round
It was close. Very close. I almost had to break the tie between Leslie Odom and Pentatonix, but my family did it for me. So time to vote for the last time in 2017 Advent Caroling Madness! Due by 2 pm PST on Saturday! [polldaddy poll=9899097] …
Read MoreFirst Noel-Round 3
I’ve never had people agree with me this much! Only Pentatonix as a 6 seed broke their way into the final four instead of my #3 pick, Whitney Houston. Now it gets real. Four left, and since Elaine and I leave on Saturday, you need …
Read MoreThe First Noel-Round 2
I’m pretty sure the voting on my bracket was not the most important voting that happened last night. Totally ok with that. But we’ve gotta return to our duty and vote these 8 contenders down to 4. Votes are due Thursday at 9 pm PST. [polldaddy …
Read MoreBracket Released: The First Noel
One of these times I’m going to video myself trying to make these brackets. It is stressful, people. You have to look at who nominated what, and decide which nominations to leave out, and watch match ups, both for the actual artists but also for …
Read MoreAnd the winner is…
…Ella Fitzgerald, who dominates Julie Andrews in the finals, and comes home with the title for the best version of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”. Stay tuned for the release of the bracket for “The First Noel”.
Read MoreMidnight Clear-Finals
I mean I don’t know why anyone has bothered to record this song in my lifetime. We are sitting here in Advent Caroling Madness Land, partying like it’s 1969. Yolanda is gone, my heart is broken… but we have a final match up to contend. …
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