SCRIPTUREISAIAH 9:2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Our family has a number of Christmas Eve traditions. One of the most important is taking a family walk through the village. We wrap up warm and take the dog for a stroll around the community, enjoying the decorations and trying to decide which house has our fa...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:8-9And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. We often have a tendency to romanticise certain things. Nature is peaceful and serene and beautiful—until we have to spend a night in a tent in the middle of nowhere. Then ...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 1:1-5In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. In C. S. Lewis's story The Lion, the Witch and the ...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:34-38"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no wor...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:1, 3, 5-6This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: ... Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram... Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:1-3In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. During the first week of Advent, we celebrate hope-and it's easy for us to see why. Jesus Christ, the hope of all the earth, is born! Jesus is the...  Read More

Advent is one of the great seasons of the Christian calendar. It is a season when we can look at the brokenness and fallenness of the world around us yet testify boldly and confidently, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5). As we prepare to celebrate the first Advent-the first coming of Christ to this world—we also look forward to his second and final...  Read More

Look back at the readings from this week. Which scripture, idea, or story stands out to you as most meaningful or most challenging? Take time to revisit it and listen for the Spirit’s invitation to go deeper. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION, DISCUSSION, AND PRAYERWhat have you learned about yourself and/or God this week?How have you recognized the presence of peace in your life this week? Where have you ...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 14:15-31; PHILIPPIANS 4But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will sendin my name, will teach you all things and will remind you ofeverything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you;my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.—JOHIN 14:26-27Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 18:35-43; LUKE 19:1-10As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sittingby the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by,he asked what was happening. They told him,“Jesus of Nazareth is Passing by.”He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet,but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”J...  Read More

Merry Christmas! The longing of Advent ends with the celebration of Jesus's birth on December 25. Now we transition into a season of celebration during the twelve days of Christmas and beyond. These are days of joy and light, time spent cherishing the good gifts we've been waiting for. But our own seasons of waiting do not magically end every December 25—if only they would! The calendar moves ahea...  Read More

SCRIPTURERUTH 1But Ruth replied, “Don't urge me to leave you or to turn backfrom you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.Your people will be my people and your God my God. Whereyou die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD dealwith me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you andme.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go withher, she stopp...  Read More