Scripture: Matthew 1:5 Salmon was the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz was the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed was the father of Jesse. Thought for the Day: Right in the middle of an opening genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel, we find these names. For too many people, they are names that need to be endured in the reading process on the way to
Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-8 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your
Scripture: Luke 1:78-79 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Thought for the Day: From the beginning of time, God has been changing darkness into light. Where shadows shroud what God loves, the divine nature
Scripture: Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. Thought for the Day: Paul never tells the story of Jesus’ birth. This verse from Galatians is about as close as Paul gets to telling the Christmas
Scripture: John 1:6-9 A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world. Thought for the Day: I’m bouncing around a bit these
Scripture: Mark 1:7 He [John the Baptist] proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of this sandals.” Thought for the Day: We struggle with humility in today’s world. With Reality TV, people are searching for their 15 minutes of fame…or what is perceived as fame, but is more like a circus
Scripture: Luke 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord. Thought for the Day: Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John, come together during their pregnancies. Elizabeth offers this beautiful statement about Mary that concludes with the above words. Basically Elizabeth is saying that Mary is happy because she truly
Scripture: Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Thought for the Day: The author, John Ortberg, writes: “Jesus’ life as a foot-washing servant would eventually lead to the adoption of humility as a widely admired virtue.” I wouldn’t disagree with him, but Mary showed a true spirit of humility in
Scripture: Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God. Thought for the Day: It was the great Green Bay Packers’ coach, Vince Lombardi, who said, “We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible.” Mary seemed to think that what the angel suggested would be impossible, and I’m pretty sure I would have joined her in that assessment. Yet when God
Scripture: Luke 1:26-27 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Thought for the Day: A German philosopher once wrote, “If an