In five short episodes we look at the themes of the scripture readings in the Revised Common Lectionary for the season of Advent in 2025. Framing these readings is the question, "what don't I know about..."
This is a conversation between Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen and Rev. Joel Pakan. More information and resources are available at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
Publisher
the South Dakota Synod, Anna Madsen and Joel Pakan
Before listening to this 25 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this second week in Advent:
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25.
Which text is most hopeful or encouraging to you?
Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?
Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about our community or congregation? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider the plural/communal nature of the readings. Note where the texts are making “we” and “us” and “all” statements.
Topics and terms covered in this episode: A Genealogy of Righteousness, Diana Butler Bass, Bruce Cockburn, Metanoia, God with us, Eschatology.
View the video for this episode at https://youtu.be/evDggX9kLb0 (https://youtu.be/evDggX9kLb0). Additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
18 Dec 2025
Third Week of Advent 2025
Before listening to this 28 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this third week in Advent:
Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; Luke 1:46b-55 (alternate); James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.
What text is most recognizable or memorable to you?
Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?
Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about my neighbor? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider these two statements from Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
“…we ought freely to support our neighbor with our body and its actions, and each person ought to become to the other a kind of Christ.” - Martin Luther’s The Freedom of a Christian
“Christian love knows no limits. It seeks to realize God’s rule in each and every place.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Sanctorum Communio
Topics and terms covered in this episode: Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Walter Bouman, Sojourner Truth, Holy History (Heilsgeschichte), honesty that is rooted in Christ.
The video of this episode is at https://youtu.be/LsoVa9hkC50 (https://youtu.be/LsoVa9hkC50). Additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
18 Dec 2025
Second Week of Advent 2025
Before listening to this 20 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this first week in Advent:
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12.
What text is most recognizable or memorable to you?
Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?
Engage your curiosity. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about my own tradition? If this question seems disconnected from these readings consider the writers and original hearers of these texts. How have their traditions informed or not informed my own?
Topics and terms covered in this episode: Holy History (Heilsgeschichte), Soteria, Ecclesia, and Torah,
Video for this episode is at https://youtu.be/7SxwD84jtKU (https://youtu.be/7SxwD84jtKU)and additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
18 Dec 2025
First Week of Advent 2025
Before listening to this 20 minute conversation, read and/or listen to the Revised Common Lectionary texts for this first week in Advent:
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; and Matthew 24:36-44.
What text is most recognizable or memorable to you?
Which text is the most challenging or raises the most concerns?
Engage your curiosity about the writers and original hearers of these texts. Ask yourself: What don’t I know about these texts?
Topics and terms covered in this episode: Place and Identity in Isaiah 2 and Psalm 122, the Difference between passive peace and active Shalom, Centering our Identity in Christ.
Video for this episode is at https://youtu.be/QIf1Q-1jdII (https://youtu.be/QIf1Q-1jdII) and additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
17 Dec 2025
Introducing Advent 2025
In this 20 minute conversation between Anna and Joel we hear a bit about Anna's history in South Dakota and the history of the Revised Common Lectionary. Anna addresses some of the differences between the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew. And they set the framework for the upcoming four conversations in these questions:
What don't I know about this text?
What don't I know about my tradition?
What don't I know about my neighbor?
What don't I know about my congregation or community?
Video for this episode is at https://youtu.be/3f97nRYN4ic (https://youtu.be/3f97nRYN4ic) and additional Advent 2025 resources are at https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025 (https://www.sdsynodlearns.org/pages/advent-resources-2025)
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