Archive for December 2019

Find a quiet moment in which to watch this video of a hymn from the 15th century encircled by a 20th century lyric, and be blessed.

December 21, 2019 DAILY READINGS Matthew 12:9-14This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES In this passage, the Pharisees are trying to set a trap for Jesus. He has entered the Pharisees home turf—the synagogue—and they confront him (a staged scene, I suspect) with a man who has a “withered hand.” Since most of the people of…

December 20, 2019 DAILY READINGS 1 Corinthians 9:1-16This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES From this passage, we learn that some apostles felt the freedom to take advantage of their status and rights. They married and received financial payment for their ministry work. They were afforded certain privileges and they took them. Paul doesn’t see anything…

December 19, 2019 DAILY READINGS Galatians 5:2-15This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES “Jesus, United by Thy Grace” Jesus, united by thy graceAnd each to each endeared,With confidence we seek thy faceAnd know our prayer is heard. Up unto thee, our living HeadLet us in all things grow;Till thou hast made us free indeedAnd spotless here…

December 18, 2019 DAILY READINGS Mark 5:1-20This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES We often use the language of being “sent” in the Church to talk about the ways that God calls us out into the world to proclaim the message of Christ. And this is undoubtedly a vital and crucial part of being a disciple…

December 17, 2019 DAILY READINGS Psalm 35:1-10This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES In Biblical literature, Psalm 35 is what’s called a “complaint” Psalm. There is great danger all around the psalmist. There is distress and trouble and when you read the first ten verses of Psalm 35 you can rightly guess that the psalmist has…

December 16, 2019 DAILY READINGS Acts 21:17-26This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES There is always a measure of risk when we decide to live fully into the mission God has called us into. In today’s scripture, we see Paul, returning to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Paul tells the elders…

How might you help the weak, the least, the last, and the lost this Christmas?