Happy Monday, saints! The Lord delivered Daniel yesterday as we encountered our first “hope” during this sermon series on the Hope of Christmas. Daniel shows us how to have hope for rescue, hope in a God that never abandons us and always seeks the liberation of oppressed people. (Cue “My Deliverer is Coming” by Rich Mullins, which Martha and Steve so deftly shared during our 9am worship).
Of course, this was all finely illustrated by means of Nebraska! Nebraska is the name of Springsteen’s mostly-unknown album that served as a bridge from his rise to fame, produced-but-still-a-little-Bob-Dylan-y songs and before he released Born in the USA and Dancing in the Dark. Before those hits could arise from his soul, Springsteen needed to deal with some trauma in his life, and he did: by way of an at-home cassette recorder. He didn’t mean to, but he ended up self-recording his own songwriting-therapy of sorts.
While you and I will have to wait until the movie version of this episode in his life is released next year, you can take a dive into his home and hear him talk about the album from the very room in which it was recorded by watching CBS Sunday Morning’s piece about Nebraska. Watch that here.
If you find yourself in a dark place this Advent/Christmas season, reach out to me and let’s get coffee. I also highly recommend the Service of Comfort and Healing at Yorkminster Pres on 12/8 at 4:30pm.
May you find God rescuing you from the depths of your despair this season, and in this way, center your hope in the coming king of the world.
Peace be with you,
Eric