Category: Christianity

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Before the Big Bang: Saint John’s Eyewitness Account of the Eternal Word Made Flesh

Hubble image of galaxy with Nativity overlay illustrating Saint John's theology before the Big Bang.
Original Hubble image of galaxy MCG-01-24-014: ESA/Hubble & NASA, C. Kilpatrick
Artistic composite with Nativity overlay by Gloria M. Chang, 2025

What existed before the Big Bang—and did Saint John touch it?

Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life —
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us—
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

… Read the rest
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Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

“Saint Stephen the Protomartyr”
A reflection on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
©️2022 Gloria M. Chang

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 

… Read the rest
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Isaiah 61, Day 7

Photo of snail and tulips speaking about the Righteous Branch in Isaiah 61:11.
“Isaiah 61, Day 7”
Isaiah 61:11b
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

From divine soil, a righteous Branch springs forth, blooming justice and praise across the nations.

As the earth brings forth its shoots,
and a garden makes its seeds spring up,
So will the Lord God make justice spring up,
and praise before all the nations.

… Read the rest
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Isaiah 61, Day 5

Photo of snail and spider flower with text overlay of Isaiah 61:10c about the bridegroom and bride.
“Isaiah 61, Day 5”
Isaiah 61:10c
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

The eternal Bridegroom and Bride form heaven’s royal temple, sealed in divine splendor.

Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10c

Heavenly Marriage

Biblical marriage between a bridegroom and his bride has royal, sacred, and cosmic significance. … Read the rest

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Joseph’s Dream

Photo of snail and rose with text overlay of the Shalom Snail couplet, "Joseph's Dream."
“Joseph’s Dream”
A reflection on Matthew 1:18-24
Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
©️2022 Gloria M. Chang

In Joseph’s Dream, divine mercy transformed a righteous man’s sorrow into joyful guardianship of the Savior.

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

… Read the rest
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Isaiah 61, Day 4

Photo of snail and yellow flowers speaking Isaiah 61:10 about the garments of salvation.
“Isaiah 61, Day 4”
Isaiah 61:10b
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

Clothed in garments of salvation, we reclaim the radiant glory lost in Eden and shine as brides of Christ.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
and wrapped me in a robe of justice…

Isaiah 61:10b

Symbolic Garments

In the book of Revelation, the holy city, new Jerusalem, comes down out of heaven from God, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).… Read the rest

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Isaiah 61, Day 2

Photo of snail and roses speaking Isaiah 61:3b about the oil of gladness.
“Isaiah 61, Day 2”
Isaiah 61:3b
©️2020 Gloria M. Chang

From ashes to a diadem: God crowns mourning with the oil of gladness, clothing sorrow in a mantle of everlasting praise.

To comfort all who mourn;
to place on those who mourn in Zion
a diadem instead of ashes,
To give them oil of gladness instead of mourning,
a glorious mantle instead of a faint spirit.

… Read the rest