The sermon for the third Sunday in Advent was on Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11, a text that reads at first like a to-do list. “Preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, heal broken hearts…”

But it starts with the anointing of the Holy Spirit of Exalted God. So that means these movements toward justice, healing, liberation, and consolation are among God’s movements in our lives, and we do not do them alone.

They are among the works of God that arise from the “hidden place” of suffering and sorrow, and (surprisingly) issue forth in joy that rises like mist.

Rev. Cari closes the sermon with a poem from Steve Garnas-Holmes, a prolific and generous poet.