READ JOHN 1:1-18


Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.

PRAYER: We worship thee, Lord Jesus, our Savior and our friend. We yearn to know thee better, and love thee without end. - Amen!

READ LUKE 2:1-20


Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veil’d in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the Incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear
Jesus, our Immanuel here!
Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born—that man no more may die,
Born—to raise the sons of earth,
Born—to give them second birth.
            - Charles Wesley

PRAYER: Heavenly hosts and humble folk who but these can greet the Lord?  Later, perhaps, the kings will come, after the humble have made him home. - AMEN!

READ LUKE 1:5-25

The Father of John the Baptizer was a priest, conscientious and sincere.  Yet he found it difficult, as we often do, to accept the inner voice that had promised something so hard to believe.

Such experiences are not as rare as we may think.  God comes to people, in amny ways, inspiring them to noble thoughts and deeds.  Because we give so little time to earnest reflection, we may be unaware of God's coming.  Vain thoughts and clanging noises - even in church - are allowed to drown out God's quiet voice.  We need to listen for God speaking through his Word.

Why do we look upon children as gifts of God?
What blessings do children bring into a home?
How can we help parentless children? Childrenless adults?

PRAYER: For the gift of life, for the joys of childhood, for the blessings of family, and for your promised salvation we thank you. -AMEN!

READ HEBREWS 1:1-14

The thought of an angel conjures up a variety of images in our minds.  Yet, the thought of an angel can be so puzzling! A child intuitively grasps its meaning whereas an adult may often miss it.  An angel is a messenger - any messenger - usually a messenger of Good News!  We may call a nurse an 'angel of mercy.'  Or, when we want to express confidence in God's care, we may pray, "Let your holy angel have charge over us."  An angel may be liberating us thought or struggle, a melody in our hearts, a flesh and blood person, or even an 'angel of death.'  An angel is a useful symbol, a figurative way of saying that the creator communicates with us in many ways.

How does God communicate with us?
How can I be 'an angel of mercy' to someone?

PRAYER: Grant me faith with which to see Thy Spirit, Lord, at work in me. - AMEN!

READ NEHEMIAH 13:10-22

When the Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem after the captivity in Babylonia (605-536 BCE) the Sabbath day became more central for them.  Sabbath and synogogue became closely associated; by the time Jesus was born, they were the normative marks of Judaism.

Sabbath and synagoue tended to make religion a matter of 'do's and don't's; on the other hand they established a system of regular weekly worship for the whole community.  Without this provision, religion may become a private affair that a person may practice as he or she wishes.  Nehemiah and his associates recognized the weakness of "religion when I feel like it."

What benefits come from regular church attendance?
What is the difference between going to church and being the church?

PRAYER: O God, our creator and redeemer, help us to realize that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from you. - AMEN!

READ JEREMIAH 31:31-34

Here is the prophecy that was fulfilled by Christ through establishment of the new covenant.  The old covenant that it replaces was the 'contract' God made with God's people through giving of the law.  But the people broke their side of the covenant; that is, they broke the Law.

Laws may compel Obedience through a system of rewards and punishments, but something more is necessary to change people.  The new covenant is that "something more."  Christ does not merely invite us into the Kingdom of God, he brings us into the kingdom.  There we live, not by coercion of laws but by "the law written upon our hearts."

What value is there in a system of rewards and punishments?
What is the relationship between the Old and New Testament?
How is the Law written upon our hearts? (Jeremiah's thought is expanded in Hebrews chapters 8-10)

PRAYER: Grant your Holy Spirit to us, O God, and write your Law on our hearts. - AMEN!

READ ISAIAH 6:1-8

The test of great literature is its ability to grow old and remain fresh.  The book of Isaiah was already centuries old when Jesus quoted from it in his sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-23).  Generations of Christians have found comfort and hope in its prophecies of the Messiah.  The vision of Isaiah 6 has been part of the Christian Liturgy for more than 15 centuries.  And many Christians feel that the way to church renewal today is to be found in living the role of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).

Here is literature that speaks to human need.  How different it is from books that pander to the senses and breathe despair. 

Name some of your favorite books.
Which ones would you like to read again?
Is the picture of God sitting upon a throne on high helpful? or not?

PRAYER: For worthwhile literature we thank you, Lord, and especially for the Holy Scriptures.- Amen!

READ 2 KINGS 5:1-27

Part of the heritage of Jesus is Elisha's concern for the health of people.  This prophet was widely known for his ability to heal.  Jesus himself showed far greater concern for human health, and he clearly demonstrated that many diseases commonly presumed to be incurable are not incurable at all.  As he was concerned with people, it was inevitable that he was concerned with their health.  It has taken the world many centuries to become as interested in health as our Lord was. 

The symbol of a dove with a hand represents the Spirit who is the agent of healing, and a hand to extend in blessing, representative of God's healing power.

Why is cleanliness so important?
Why is greed such a corrupter of people?

PRAYER: -Teach us to take care of our bodies, Lord, and refrain from actions and habits that tend to destroy our health.- AMEN!

READ 1 KINGS 17:1-16

Popular animal characters such as Lassie, Benji, and Mickey indicate a universal interest in animals.  Christians from ancient times have seen a religious significance in this interest.  Saint Francis of Assisi expressed this in his hymn, "All creatures of our God and king."  The story of Elijah and the raven has the same concern.

When we learn to love life in its many forms, then we will be better able to love life in its human form.  Conservation of wildlife is akin to love and concern for human life.  the famed Frank Laubach stated that one who cannot curb his foot from kicking a dog may someday be guilty of abusing people.

How does a pet animal help a person?
How do you treat other people? young children?

PRAYER: Help us to remember, O God, that you love not only people but also all other creatures. - AMEN!

READ 1 KINGS 3:3-28

Solomon is remembered for the great temple he built, for his administrative wisdom, and for the splendor of his court.  Who can forget Christ's comment about the lilies of the field: "Even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." (Matthew 6:29)? Under Solomon the kingdom of Israel reached its zenith.  His fleet plied the seas "Bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks....the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom" (1 Kings 10:22,24).

But he also oppressed his people.  He forced labor to build the temple, and he imposed heavy taxes to support his government.  This oppression led to rebellion and the splitting of his kingdom.

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
How can we become wiser?

PRAYER: Help us, Lord, to learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others so that we do not repeat them. - AMEN!