Grace, Grace and more Grace

The Lectionary readings for the First Sunday in 2009 are full of grace, especially Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:10-18. What do you make of grace upon grace in St. John or grace lavished upon us, in the Words of St. Paul? Why so much grace poured out upon us? Perhaps another way to ask the question is to pose it like this. In this fallen world where we daily experience the folly and pain of others and add to that foolishness and suffering through our own acts and deeds, can we ever get enough grace? What do you think?

Christ Presents

Here are the readings for this Second Week of Advent:



Monday: Zechariah 6:12-13
Tuesday: Micah 5:2-4
Wednesday: Malachi 3:1-6
Thursday: John 1:1-8
Friday: John 1:9-18
Saturday: Mark 1:1-3
Sunday: Luke 1:5-13

As you read through these I would like your help for my Sermon on Sunday the 14th. The title is Christ Presents, instead of Christmas Presents, which make us think of what's under the tree the morning of the 25th. I'd like you to remember with me that the original gift of Christmas was Christ himself, coming to be with us.

Using the readings above, what are we called to do to Present Christ? I will be interested in your answer.

Finding Jesus in Christmas and Advent

More than any other activity, Advent can restore Jesus to the center of Christmas by reading and studying the Biblical passages related to Christ's coming. The following passages are for the first week of advent:

Monday: Isaiah 52:7-10
Tuesday: Isaiah 40: 9-11
Wednesday: Genesis 3:8-15
Thursday: Genesis 15: 1-6
Friday: Deuteronomy 18: 15-19
Saturday: Psalms 89:1-4
Sunday: Isaiah 11:1-10

Together this week these passages tell a story of a joyful, comforting, steadfast love, joy and peace coming into the world. Try reading and mediatating on each one this week and let me know what you've learned.

Grace and Peace,

Don

P.S. Thanks to Susan Mills for this idea!!