The Season of Light:
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 7

The Word:
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 ("I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me")
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10 & 14 (Your redemption is near at hand)
Luke 1:57-66 (Elizabeth gives birth to a son; "His name is John ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 6

The Word:
1 Samuel 1:24-28 (Hannah consecrates her son Samuel to the Lord's service)
1 Samuel 2:1-8 (My heart exults in the Lord, my savior)
Luke 1:46-56 (The Magnificat: "The Almighty has done great things for me; holy is his name ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Festival of Yule, the Winter Solstice
(Sun enters Capricorn at 11:46 AM CST)
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 5

The Word:
Song of Songs 2:8-14 ("My lover comes, springing across the mountains, leaping over the hills")
or Zephaniah 3:14-18 (The Lord your God is in your midst)
Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 (Exult, you just, in the ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 4

The Word:
Micah 5:1-4 (From Bethlehem the King shall come)
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 (Lord, let us see your face and we shall be saved)
Hebrews 10:5-10 (The establishment of a new covenant, in Christ)
Luke 1:39-45 (Mary visits Elizabeth: "Blest are you among women, and ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 3

The Word: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 (The birth of Samson: "He shall be consecrated to God, from the womb until the day of his death")
Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17 (You are my hope, O Lord; my mouth is filled with your praise, and I will sing of your glory)
Luke 1:5-25 (The archangel Gabriel tells Zechariah that ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Christmas 'Novena, Day 2

The Word:
Jeremiah 23:5-8 (God will raise up a righteous shoot to David; he will be called 'The Lord our justice') Psalm 72: 1-2, 12-13, 18-19 (He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor)
Matthew 1:18-25 (Gabriel to Joseph: 'Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife')

The will of God be done ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Christmas 'Novena', Day 1

The Word:
Genesis 49:2-10 (The scepter of royalty shall never depart from the lineage of Judah)
Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17 (Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever)
Luke 7:18-23 ("Blessed is the one who takes no offense in me")
or Matthew 1:1-17 (Matthew's genealogy of Jesus as ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Third Week of Advent

Sunday's Word:
Zephaniah 3:14-18 (The Lord will exult with you, over you; he will renew you by his love)
Isaiah 12:2-6 (Among you is the Holy One of Israel)
Philippians 4:4-7 (The Lord is near)
Luke 3:10-18 (What, then, must we do?)

Answer: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, again I say, ( Read more... )

The Season of Light
A "Light Bulb" Experience on What Advent Is All About

I've heard many a pastor and/or theologian speak at length on the liturgical season of Advent, the two-thirds of December meant to prepare us for the celebration of Christmas. Nothing quite puts a handle on it. I had an “Aha!” moment this morning that comes closer than ( Read more... )

The Season of Light:
The Second Sunday of Advent
The Feast of St. Nicholas, 4th Century Bishop

The Word:
Baruch 5:1-9 (Jerusalem - God will show your splendor)
Psalm 126:1-6 (The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy)
Philippians 1:4-11 (Show yourselves sinless and without blame in the day of Christ)
Luke 3:1-6 (All shall see ( Read more... )