Scripture: Luke 1:54-55The Lord has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, just as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever. Thought for the Day: This passage from Mary’s Magnificat speaks of the Lord coming to the aid of his servant. A better translation, in my opinion, is: The Lord has come and embraced his servant… To aid someone
Scripture: John 1:6-7There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Thought for the Day: God has a habit of sending a forerunner, an announcer or envoy who prepares the way. John the Baptist, the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, does the necessary work to make the world more
Scripture: John 1:4-5…in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Thought for the Day: It was on this day in 1247 that the Netherlands experienced a flood that killed between 50,000 – 80,000 people. That number is difficult to fathom. It came the day after the Feast of Santa Lucia
Scripture: Luke 1:49…for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Thought for the Day: This is a continuation of Mary’s song, the Magnificat, that was referenced yesterday. God is referred to as the Mighty One. When I think of God as the Mighty One, I think in terms of power, strength and muscle. The Greek word we translate as Mighty is
Scripture: Luke 1:46-47And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Thought for the Day: I write this with Christmas music playing in the background. Though most of it falls into what I call the category of secular Christmas music (reindeer, snowmen, and wanting to stay close to the fire), it gets me to thinking about these words we call the
Scripture: Psalm 8:9LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! Thought for the Day: The author of the Psalm praises the Lord, declaring the excellence of God throughout the earth. If my basic knowledge of Hebrew is correct, the word we translate as earth really describes everything except for heaven. The Hebrew word describes the known reality for those living 1000 years before Jesus. Another
Prayer for the Week: When life becomes a bit too busy, when this so-called joyous season leaves us feeling unsettled and frazzled, we seek the assistance of your Spirit, O God, so that we do not rush past your gift of love enfleshed. May your Spirit be a source of peace by which we can pause, breathe and take notice of the one they called Emmanuel. Help us
Scripture: Luke 1:41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Thought for the Day: There is a lot of movement in this story. In the previous verse (referenced in yesterday’s devotional), it said that Mary “got up and hurried…” to the home of her relative, Elizabeth. The word we translate as “got up” is the same word
Scripture: Luke 1:39-40Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Thought for the Day: This was not a short trip for Mary, yet there was something that drew her to the home of Elizabeth. They were ‘relatives’ according to Luke’s Gospel, but nothing in regard to the specifics of their relationship. They were kin, not only by
Scripture: Philippians 1:27Most important, live together in a manner worthy of Christ’s gospel. Do this, whether I come and see you or I’m absent and hear about you. Do this so that you stand firm, united in one spirit and mind as you struggle together to remain faithful to the gospel. Thought for the Day: For the Apostle Paul to use the words “most important,” I am guessing