Sermon for January 4, 2026
A reflection on Isaiah’s proclamation that the Spirit of the Lord has anointed him to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives. Coming to worship is itself a response to the Holy Spirit stirring our hearts to return to God, much like the prodigal son coming home. We do not deserve the good things we receive; they come from God’s grace and mercy, and what we are given is opportunity. Each of us is free to choose whether to love God and our neighbor or to serve only ourselves, and in the end each of us receives what that choice deserves.