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Monthly Archives: December 2018
December 25, 2018
Christmas Day Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people … — Luke 2:10 … according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. — Luke 1:55 As children, setting up the Nativity scene was… Read more »
December 24, 2018
A broken circle But Moses’ hands grew weary. … Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. — Exodus 17:12 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy … — Luke 1:54… Read more »
December 23, 2018
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. — Luke 1:54–55 Night divine Father sky Appears in angel voices Glorious sound from afar. Shadows and stars appear On the night Christmas Eve Mother earth alights… Read more »
December 23, 2018
Home for Christmas *by abby mohaupt In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the… Read more »
December 22, 2018
Unexpected Surprises What genealogies reveal by Rebecca Lister Do you ever get irritated when reading genealogies in the Bible? All that “so-and-so begat so-and-so…” Most of the time, we just skip over these lists of unpronounceable names to get to the good parts that really matter. Yet, genealogies hold deep meaning for us if we… Read more »
December 22, 2018
All you need is love … and sent the rich away empty. — Luke 1:53 My brother was a huge Beatles fan as a teenager. Inspired by the Fab Four, he would sign birthday cards with the words “All you need is love.” Sound advice from a child of God whom the world might… Read more »
December 21, 2018
God eases the hungering Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. — James 4:8 He has filled the hungry with good things … — Luke 1:53 Empty calories. I am an expert on that subject and, like others who indulge in too many Christmas cookies, I will greet the new… Read more »
December 20, 2018
Building on a Blessed Community Recognizing the Church’s True Center by Graham Standish Years ago I read a quote by the Quaker mystic, Thomas Kelly, that changed my ministry: “Yet ever within that Society, and ever within the Christian church, has existed the Holy Fellowship, the Blessed Community, an ekklesiola in ekklesia, a little church… Read more »
December 20, 2018
Who’s lighting the Advent wreath? We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. — Romans 12:5 … and lifted up the lowly. — Luke 1:52 Growing up, it always seemed that the same families were invited to light the church Advent wreath. And they were… Read more »
December 19, 2018
Inhabit our souls A Revised Common Lectionary resource for December 23 by Magdalena I. García And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the LORD, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…’ – Luke 1:46-47 Read the full lectionary passage here Mary faced adversity with a daring song. Come, Holy Spirit, inhabit our souls, and make… Read more »