Psalm

Quote

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2-4 , Jeremiah 23:5-6, Luke 2:8-14 , Matthew 2:1-12 , Psalm 96:1-3

We know instinctively that Christmas is more than shopping mall Santas, silver bells, and snow-flocked trees, but such things are so entangled with our impressions of Christmas that it’s hard to kn...

illustration

A World Three Times Bigger

Author

The Pastor's Workshop

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 28:10–17, Isaiah 9:2–7, Micah 5:2–5, John 1:1–14, Luke 2:8–14 , Psalm 96:10–13

Our family started watching our Christmas movies early this year. We love Christmas Vacation , Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Home Alone (one and two), Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman ...

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Theories about Jesus

Author

N. T. Wright

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6–7 , Micah 5:2, Isaiah 53:3–5 , John 1:1–3, 14, Colossians 2:8–9 , Psalm 2:1–2, 7

We hear of wild new theories about Jesus. Every month or two some publisher comes up with a blockbuster saying that he was a New Age guru, an Egyptian freemason or a hippie revolutionary. Every year o...

liturgy

Jesus, the Promised Shepherd

Author

K.J. Ramsey

Keywords

Scripture

Ezekiel 34:11-16, Jeremiah 23:3-4, Micah 5:4-5, John 10:11-14, Hebrews 13:20-21, Psalm 23:1-3

Jesus, the Promised Shepherd, you who are always making a way for your people to rest when other shepherds demand performance and success: reveal the green pastures where we can heal...

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The Child Born in the Night Among Beasts

Author

Frederick Buechner

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2-4, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Luke 2:6-7, Philippians 2:5-8, Psalm 22:6-8 , Matthew 1:22-25

In this excerpt, Frederick Buechner shares a meditation on the vulnerability of Jesus’ birth: The child born in the night among beasts. The sweet breath and steaming dung of beasts. And nothing is...

liturgy

Though Christ was by nature divine

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 53:3-5, Micah 5:2-4, Zechariah 12:10, Philippians 2:5-11 , Hebrews 5:7-9, Psalm 22:6-8, 22-24

Though Christ was by nature divine, Christ did not cling to equality with God, but in utter self-emptying, took the form of a slave, and was born as a human. God have mercy. Appearing in h...

Quote

Author

Alexander MacLaren

Keywords

Scripture

1 Kings 8:56, 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, Hebrews 6:18- 20, Psalm 22:6-8 , Jeremiah 23:5-6, Micah 5:2

Of true Christianity is not the truth of God, then the richest vintage that ever the world saw and the noblest wine of which it ever drank did grow up a thorn.

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The Roots of the English Word “Worship”

Author

Fleming Rutledge

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, 1 Kings 8:10-11, Matthew 2:1-12, Philippians 2:6-11 , Psalm 95:6-7

In the English language, worship is an important word. It comes from ancient Anglo-Saxon and means “worth-ship”—to ascribe ultimate worth to something or someone. Matthew is portraying the nature of t...

Quote

Author

Vicki K. Black

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 8:3-4, Colossians 1:15-16

“In historical time, Christmas happened over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem; in theological time, Christmas happens now, in the mystery of God choosing to dwell within humankind, a mystery that t...

liturgy

Advent Blessings: Serve the Lord

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2-3, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 23:1-6

Pastor: Go now in Advent hope. The God who created the universe dwells with you as you keep watch for the One whose Advent is promised. People: Amen. Pastor: As we await our coming ...

liturgy

A Prayer For Advent

Author

Kayla Craig

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 9:1-2

O come, Emmanuel. Ignite in us the awe of a child, Looking into a manger scene As we wait on the promise Of the coming infant King In a humble stable. TO LIGHT THEIR WAY

liturgy

Adapted from John Francis Wade’s "O Come, Let Us Adore Him"

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 2:10-11, Psalm 100:2, Luke 2:8-20, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:15-16, Revelation 19:16, Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 95:6, Philippians 2:10-11, Luke 2:25-38, John 1:14, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 2:11

Leader: O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, People: O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem. Leader: Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us ador...

lectionary

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

2 Samuel 7:1-11, Romans 16:25-27, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46b-55, Psalm 89:1-4, Psalm 89:19-26, 1 Samuel 4:, Micah 5:2, Psalm 127:1

Advent 2020: Tear Down the Heavens God Builds the House Updated & expanded for 2023 AIM commentary Ancient lens What's the historical context? The Ark of God The ark of God tra...

lectionary

Epiphany of the Lord

Author

Dustin Ray

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 2:1-12, Ephesians 3:1-12, Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14, Micah 5:2

Preaching Commentary Preaching Angle: Irony When we discover a bit of irony in life, we feel like we’ve struck gold. When we stumble upon a bit of irony in Scripture, it’s holy gold! Maybe you read...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16

Author

Scott B. Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, 1 Samuel 4:11, Psalm 89:3-4, Luke 1:31-33, Matthew 2:null, Micah 5:2, Psalm 127:1, Mark 1:14

Ancient Lens What can we learn from the historical context? Ark of God The ark of God traveled with the people of Israel on their journey through the wilderness, accompanied them on their conques...

illustration

The Origin of the “J Shaped” Candy Cane

Author

David McLaughlan

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 2:8-11, John 10:11, Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 23:1-4, Micah 5:4, Jeremiah 31:13

Legend has it that the choirmaster of Cologne Cathedral was the one who first bent straight white candy canes into their familiar inverted “J” shape. It wasn’t to represent the name Jesus, as is often...

illustration

Gosh, Some Angels

Author

Walter Brueggemann

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 2:8-14, Matthew 2:1-2, Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 19:1-2, Luke 2:15-20, Micah 5:2, Matthew 18:3-4

My ten-year-old son Jim had to write a play for Christmas for his Sunday School class. He made it a dialogue between two animals at Bethlehem. It goes like this: Donkey: It sure is cold, is it not? ...

psalms from micah 5

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