Note: this message follows the lectionary reading for December 27, but obviously can be preached before Christmas if you change the introduction. Do you realize that there are only 363 shopping days ...

Our therapy culture has made us too comfortable with God. When theologian David H. Kelsey asked in 1993 what happened to the traditional doctrine of sin, his concern was not that it had disappeared.

One viewpoint: God needs us. God is vulnerable. God has a need for humans for his ongoing mission. God might feel lonely without humans. Who will sing his songs if we are not there? Another thought: ...