December 20, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 125 Malachi 3:16-4:4 This weekend’s reading: Luke 2:1-20 FIELD NOTESMalachi is the last book in the Old Testament and bridges the Old Testament and the New Testament with its announcement of the coming “Day of the Lord” and the arrival of the prophet Elijah before that day arrives. (Malachi…

December 19, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 125 2 Kings 2:9-22 This weekend’s reading: Luke 2:1-20 FIELD NOTESHave you ever heard the saying that someone was “picking up the mantle” from someone else — meaning they were assuming that person’s role and responsibilities? Today’s reading gives us the origin of that common English idiom in the…

December 18, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 125 Ephesians 6:10-17 This weekend’s reading: Luke 2:1-20 FIELD NOTESWhen my children left to go to college and were no longer safe and sound in our family home, I prayed this scripture passage every day for them. I imagined that they were putting on each piece of the armor…

December 16, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 126 Habakkuk 3:13-19 Matthew 21:28-32 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESA parable, some say, is a story with one main point. This story of the two brothers seems to be “what you do is more important than what you say,” or some variation of that. There is…

December 15, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 126 Habakkuk 3:2-6 Philippians 3:12-16 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESIn Habakkuk’s prayer, which some say is really a hymn, the coming of the Lord is like a triumphal march “surrounded with a brightness like the sun with rays coming from his hand where his power lay…

December 14, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 126 Habakkuk 2:1-5 Philippians 3:7-11 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESThis hymn gives the singer a chance to revel in the anticipated joy of a restored Zion when the fortunes and future of the people of God are given back to them. And they “come home with…

December 13, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Malachi 2:10-3:1 Luke 1:5-17 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESOld Zechariah was “getting on in years”—such a kind way of putting it—and he and his wife Elizabeth had no children. This was very hard for a faithful priest and his devoted wife to deal with, especially…

December 12, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Isaiah 4:2-6 Acts 11:1-18 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTES An important song from the musical, South Pacific, says, “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear.” Strong words, but true. Accepting others, welcoming others—really…

December 11, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Isaiah 26:7-15 Acts 2:37-42 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESThe singer of this psalm calls upon the Lord as “light…salvation…and stronghold…whom shall I fear?” And then, “One thing I asked of the Lord…to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”…