Hip-hop, faith and justice — a new podcast 🎙️

Join the party: Listen to the “Theology of Hip-Hop” podcast God is in everything — and that includes the music. Hip-hop is often misunderstood, but for decades it has inspired, comforted, and confronted injustice, naming the realities of survival, dignity and hope. That conviction shapes the “Theology of Hip-Hop,” a podcast from Presbyterian Outlook hosted by Chris Burton (aka Di Baddest Chaplain). The series approaches hip-hop as a place where faith, lament, protest and justice meet without pretense.  Five episodes are available now, featuring theological reflections on: DMX, whose raw prayers explored justice, repentance, endurance and grace Tupac, who insisted God looks like the people the world throws away GloRilla, whose catalog reveals a longing for God’s protection, presence and favor Doechii, who explores explores a theology of abundance Ka, who uncovered beauty, truth and divinity in the hardest corners of life  Five more episodes starting in January, continuing the conversation with new artists and deeper theological questions — just in time for Epiphany, when we go looking for God in unexpected places. Whether you’re a preacher, theologian, hip-hop head, or someone searching for honest faith in a fractured world, this podcast invites you to listen closely.  Start listening now View in browser

Copyright (C) 2025 Presbyterian Outlook. All rights reserved.

Revised Advent candle lighting liturgy

The original download was missing Christmas Eve — this one isn't. Our apologies for the oversight! Blessings on your Christmas season, Presbyterian Outlook  Download Now Planning ahead You may find these additional resources helpful in your planning. 2026 Lenten devotional: Discipleship in a divided age Explore how to live faithfully amid division and uncertainty through Matthew’s Gospel. Written by Teri McDowell Ott. Christmas Eve resource bundle: “Naming hope” A lectionary reflection on Isaiah 9:2–7 with a complete order of worship by Teri McDowel Ott. Ash Wednesday Service: A season of unmasking Step into the sacred journey of Lent with “Ash Wednesday Service: A season of unmasking,” a deeply contemplative and beautifully crafted service written by Rev. Anne HK Apple.

Copyright © 2025 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

Looking into the lectionary - Worship resources for December 28

Matthew 2:13-23 First Sunday of Christmas December 28, 2025 Matthew 2:13-23 provides a jarring gospel lesson just three days after Christmas Day! During the past week, congregations have heard about shepherds and the swaddling clothes, wise men and the star. King Herod killing babies usually doesn’t make it into the Christmas pageant. We frequently turn our eyes away from what has been called the shadow side of the Christmas story. In my presbytery’s discussion of Matthew 2:13-23 for an Advent Bible study, one pastor honestly admitted, “I’m very uncomfortable thinking about preaching about this story, especially the part about Herod killing all of the babies. It’s just such a hard text!” And yet, as this part of Matthew’s Christmas story reminds us, our savior comes to us amid sorrow and innocent suffering. Candler School of Theology professor and pastor Fred Craddock preached in “The Hard Side of Epiphany,” “Exit the women of Luke; in come the men of Matthew. Exit the stable; now it’s a king’s palace. Exit the shepherds; in with the wise men from the east. Exit the angels; in comes Herod. Exit Mary; enter Rachel. Exit lullaby; enter the scream: ‘I heard a voice in Ramah. It was Rachel weeping for her children.’” God’s providence How do you preach from this difficult text three days after Christmas Day? One fruitful way is to explore the theme of God’s providence suggested by Matthew’s allusion to the stories of Moses and the Exodus. With the story of Jesus’s sojourn in Egypt, Mathew recalls the Exodus of God’s people from Egypt and gives us a hint about what is to come for this baby boy. This baby, threatened with death, will be obedient to God’s will as the Messiah. Jesus’s life of obedience to God’s will is foreshadowed by this difficult story about the suffering of the innocents. Jesus’s deference translates into our salvation (“You are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 2:21) While King Herod was on his murderous rampage and his offspring were fighting for power after his death, King Jesus fulfilled God’s ancient promise of the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of all the world. That’s the good news on the Sunday after Christmas and for every day. Christmas has just begun While the Sunday after Easter is traditionally called Low Sunday, the same description can be used for the Sunday after Christmas Day. For many people, Christmas is already over for another year and it’s time to go back to the “real world.” That’s not always such a positive thing, what with the steady news of suffering, death, injustice and weeping. The truth, of course, is that God came among us in the baby in the manger, right smack dab in the middle of our real world, which is full of people willing to hurt others to keep their own power, just like Herod. But the good news of the church is that Christmas has just begun — and Christmas doesn’t ignore the real world. ... Thanks to this week's writer, Philip Gladden. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for December 21, 2025? You can find them here. Order of worship — December 28, 2025 by Philip Gladden Top 10 Presbyterian news stories of 2025 by Presbyterian Outlook  A prayer for courage and hope in the new year by Karie Charlton Christmas Eve resource bundle: “Naming hope” by Teri McDowell Ott Horizons – The Gift of the Woman who was Poor, Mark 12 by Rosalind Banbury Longest night service: A liturgy of light and hope by Rae Watson IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... The top Outlook book recommendations of 2025 Discover the titles that most engaged Presbyterian Outlook readers, from theology and memoir to devotionals and cultural commentary. Lost, Hidden, Small: Finding the Way of Jesus Where We Never Think to Look Discover the grace found in smallness. "Lost, Hidden, Small" invites us to follow Jesus not through striving, but through trust, surrender and delight, writes Amy Pagliarella. Come, Lord Jesus: A prayer of invitation In this prayer, John Wurster repeatedly calls, ‘Come, Lord Jesus,’ inviting Christ’s presence, justice, love and hope into every corner of our lives and the life of the church. Ka: Finding God in the ruins Chris Burton explores how Ka’s music uncovers beauty, truth and divinity in the hardest corners of life. Austin Seminary receives $10M grant to establish the Arc of Ministry Center The Lilly Endowment grants Austin Seminary $10 million to engage high school and college students in vocational exploration. — Austin Seminary Ghost Ranch Announces New Conservation Partnership to Protect Landscapes & Vistas Made Famous by Georgia O’Keeffe  Ghost Ranch and the Presbyterian Foundation join local and state groups to protect Northern New Mexico land, water and wildlife. — Ghost Ranch and Presbyterian Foundation In Minneapolis, clergy mobilize to manage ICE raids targeting Somali immigrants Preparing for ICE agents' presence in the city, an interfaith coalition shared best practices for dealing with law enforcement at houses of worship. —  Fiona André and Ulaa Kuziez

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for December 14, 2025

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, December 14, 2025

First Reading Isaiah 35:1-10 1   The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,           the desert shall rejoice and blossom;      like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly,           and rejoice with joy and singing.      The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,           the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.      They shall see the glory of the LORD,           the majesty of our God. 3   Strengthen the weak hands,           and make firm the feeble knees. 4   Say to those who are of a fearful heart,           “Be strong, do not fear!      Here is your God.           He will come with vengeance,      with terrible recompense.           He will come and save you.” 5   Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,           and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6   then the lame shall leap like a deer,           and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.      For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,           and streams in the desert; 7   the burning sand shall become a pool,           and the thirsty ground springs of water;      the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,           the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8   A highway shall be there,           and it shall be called the Holy Way;      the unclean shall not travel on it,           but it shall be for God’s people;           no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9   No lion shall be there,           nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;      they shall not be found there,           but the redeemed shall walk there. 10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,           and come to Zion with singing;      everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;           they shall obtain joy and gladness,           and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Psalm Psalm 146:5-10 5   Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,           whose hope is in the LORD their God, 6   who made heaven and earth,           the sea, and all that is in them;      who keeps faith forever; 7        who executes justice for the oppressed;           who gives food to the hungry.      The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8        the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.      The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;           the LORD loves the righteous. 9   The LORD watches over the strangers;           he upholds the orphan and the widow,           but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10  The LORD will reign forever,           your God, O Zion, for all generations.      Praise the LORD! or alternate reading Luke 1:47-55      “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47       and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48  for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.           Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49  for the Mighty One has done great things for me,           and holy is his name. 50  His mercy is for those who fear him           from generation to generation. 51  He has shown strength with his arm;           he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52  He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,           and lifted up the lowly; 53  he has filled the hungry with good things,           and sent the rich away empty. 54  He has helped his servant Israel,           in remembrance of his mercy, 55  according to the promise he made to our ancestors,           to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” Second Reading James 5:7-10 7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Gospel Matthew 11:2-11 2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,      ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,           who will prepare your way before you.’ 11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202