2012 Advent Blog

Nine Visitors to the Manger:  A Christmas Meditation Instructions: This meditation is meant to be read aloud to a group, but can simply be read by individuals.  Don’t rush through it.  Give space and pause between the visitors to reflect and let your feelings seep...

John 1:9-14  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[a] 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own,[b] and his...

Monday, December 24, 2012 John 1:9-14  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.[a] 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what...

Matthew 2:7-12, 16-18  NRSV 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so...

Matthew 2:1-6 1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[a] from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,[b] and have come to pay him...

Hebrews 13:1-2 New Revised Standard Version Service Well-Pleasing to God 13Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it....

Isaiah 9:2-7 Common English Bible (CEB) 2  The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the...

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16, 31 (NIV)  11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all...

Scripture:  Luke 1: 5-14  NRSV In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living...

Luke 2:15-20 New International Version (NIV) 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary...

Luke 2:8-14  King James Version (KJV) 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore...

Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from...