GETTING READY FOR EPIPHANY Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” Thought for the Day: Do we spend time seeking, inquiring and discerning? The magi
EPIPHANY IS THIS SUNDAY (the arrivial of the magi/wisemen) Scripture: Luke 2:36-38 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, who belonged to the tribe of Asher. She was very old. After she married, she lived with her husband for seven years. She was now an 84-year-old widow. She never left the temple area but worshipped God with fasting and prayer night and day. She
Scripture: Luke 2:27-33 Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple area. Meanwhile, Jesus’ parents brought the child to the temple so that they could do what was customary under the Law. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He said, “Now, master, let your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation. You prepared this salvation in
Scripture: Luke 2:22-24 When the time came for their ritual cleansing, in accordance with the Law from Moses, they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (It’s written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord.”) They offered a sacrifice in keeping with what’s stated in the Law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two
Happy New Year Scripture: Luke 2:21 When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived. Thought for the Day: There is so little said about the childhood of Jesus, and so what is said should be understood as important. It is doubtful that the Gospel writers shared any
Scripture: 1st John 2:17 And the world and its cravings are passing away, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. Thought for the Day: On this last day of 2017, our minds are on things passing away. The language of the world is not the physical world of trees and dirt or even buildings and cars. It is a metaphor for everything that is
Scriptures: 1st John 2:4-5 The one who claims, “I know him,” while not keeping his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in this person. But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know we are in him. Thought for the Day: When I was living in Indianapolis years ago, there was a street light outside my
Scripture: 1st John 1:5-7 This is the message that we have heard from him and announce to you: “God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.” If we claim, “We have fellowship with him,” and live in the darkness, we are lying and do not act truthfully. But if we live in the light in the same way as he is in the light,
Scripture: Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. Thought for the Day: We don’t have as much of the birth story in Matthew’s Gospel, but Matthew is where we find the Epiphany story. This is important for a number of reasons – first and foremost, we are currently in
Scripture: 1st John 1:1-2 We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. Thought for the