MERRY CHRISTMAS Scripture: Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Thought for the Day: This morning, I pray that your Christmas finds that amazing gift wrapped and laid in the manger of your soul. As strange as it may sound, I am
Scripture: Luke 2:6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. Thought for the Day: The following is a prayer written by Rev. Dr. Terry Ewing, our friend from Brite Divinity School at TCU. Terry gave me permission to repost this…
Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Thought for the Day: There are days when I need a Wonderful Counselor; other days I need a Mighty God; still others an Everlasting Father; then comes the days I need the Prince of
Scripture: Luke 2:5 Joseph went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. Thought for the Day: How culture has changed? At the time when Luke’s Gospel was written, most marriages were arranged by the children’s parents. At this point in our story, Mary was maybe 13 or 14 years old and Joseph could have been anywhere between 17-20+
Scripture: Luke 2:3-4 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. Thought for the Day: Mary and Joseph do what is required of them according to the laws of Rome, yet such a journey would not have been easy even under
Scripture: Romans 8:25-26 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. Thought for the Day: The season of Advent is counter to the cultural ideals promoted between Thanksgiving and December 25. Advent stands
Scripture: Philippians 2:4-7 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings… Thought for the
Scripture: Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Thought for the Day: Though most scholars and historians will tell you that we have no evidence of such a census at this time in history, I do not believe it interferes with what the Gospel writer was intending to communicate. We all know the language:
Scripture: Luke 15:7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. Thought for the Day: Today is Joy Sunday!! Let’s be clear though – it’s not the only Sunday for joy. Every Sunday should know joy because every
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