Week of December 24, 2007, Luke 2:1-20

The Christmas text is from Luke, Chapter 2
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
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 and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Dear Lord, may we have the joy and peace that the angels gave to the shepherds. May we share in the wonder of God working in His creation that the shepherd experienced that Christmas night.

And now, especially now, may we experience that peace that comes from Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, to carry us through each day as we live in God’s presence. Thanks Jesus for the joy that You bring, the peace that You share, the love that happened that Christmas night, that is ours to experience and share with others. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I check for messages regularly. If you have a comment or a prayer request, you can e-mail me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May the God of Peace, the Prince of Peace be with us now and always.

Week of December 16, 2007, Matthew 11:2-11

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is the Gospel reading of Matthew, chapter 11, verses 2 to 11. It is an unusual Gospel for this close to Christmas. John the Baptist, now in prison, has sent disciples to ask Jesus if Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. It needs to be a question that each of us asks. Beginning at verse 1:
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
7 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Dear Jesus, You bring each one of us to the basic question that we need to wrestle with. Who are You to me? You are the Christ. You are the Messiah. You are the healer that gives sight to the blind, curing those with leprosy, giving hearing to the deaf. And You preached the Good News of God’s saving and unconditional love then, and Your Word continues today to bring life to each of us.

This Christmas season, help me, Lord Jesus, to prepare the way again – to make sure that my relationship with You is not hindered by anything that would displease You, to make sure that I am not living with unconfessed sin in my life, to make sure that I know and experience Your saving love, the peace You bring, the joy and hope that is infectious in my actions and thoughts. Thanks, Jesus, for Your love and Your presence in my life. Amen.

May the Lord bless you as you go on your way. May He go before you to show you the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to guide and befriend you. May He always be above you to watch over you. And may He be within you to give you peace.

In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net

May you experience Christ, the Messiah, who comes to each of us each day in special ways this Advent and Christmas season.

Week of December 9, 2007, Romans 15:4-13

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Romans, chapter 15, verses 4-13. Paul again teaches and encourages with this message of hope:

Romans 15:4-13
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope and message of Advent, that Christ has come, Christ continues to come to each of us, and that Christ will come again.

Jesus, give me a love for Your Word, the Word incarnate, bringing hope and endurance and encouragement and power. Help all of us to declare You as Lord and Savior, whole heartedly, and with one heart and mouth. Help us to praise and glorify You so that we look to You for all things.
Thanks for the joy that You bring, the peace that You give, and the hope and power of the Holy Spirit that You impart. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace this Advent season as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and experience God’s presence in a wonderful way this week.