"The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."" (1 Samuel 3:10)
It probably happens more than we want to think about.... I know it happens to me. Someone is either here, visiting me, or I am at someone's house and I can hear them talking but not what they are saying. My usual response is "I hear you talking but I didn't hear what you said." What is your response? Did you even hear them (or me)? The readings today are about hearing God's voice, God's call. The verse, above, is about the young Samuel who has already gone to Eli thinking Eli was speaking to him. Eli finally understands and helps Samuel to answer. Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and us, we are to be responding because we are "temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you." (1 Corinthians 6:19) The Gospel reading is Jesus starting to call the Disciples. He has called Andrew and Peter, is now calling Philip and Philip is going to Nathanael. Jesus' call is "Follow me." (John 1:43) So..... Have you heard Jesus calling? Have you heard the voice but not understood? Are you paying attention or are you thinking about - working on - something else? Or.....like Samuel..... are you saying "speak, for your servant is listening"? Something to think about........
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Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11b)
We are now preparing for Epiphany – the time when the Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem to worship “the king of the Jews” because they had “seen his star when it rose.” (v. 2) They had also brought the gifts, in the above verse, to celebrate the birth. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, this week we celebrate the gifts of “gold, frankincense and myrrh” (and worship). My question, to you, is what gift did you bring for Jesus? During this time of the “new year” as many of us are making resolutions, or setting goals, what is God asking you to give? What can you change to (resolution) or set for (goal) so you can be growing stronger in your relationship with God? ’m thinking it might be as easy as maybe being polite, smiling at the people you see, holding the door for the person behind you or coming out, not being so critical of things – little things that might make a big difference. And…. Or…. I saw a Facebook post, from The Message, that said “God wants full custody – not just weekend visits.” Maybe spending time with God DAILY is what God is asking of each of us. Something to think about……… "Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." (Luke 2:38)
Have you noticed the Christmas music stopped? It has been playing since Thanksgiving Day but as of Dec. 26th it hasn't been anywhere that I have heard it. The 12 days of Christmas started on Dec. 25th and goes through Jan. 5th - Epiphany. I don't know about you but I still have the various Christmas hymns going through my mind. I woke up this morning with "What Child is This" going through. I don't always remember all the verses but it is good to wake up to hymns of praise about Jesus' birth. The Scriptures today are about praising God for the Messiah's, Jesus', birth. Especially the reading in Luke. Anna has waited years to be able to see the Messiah. We are told she is 84 and has spent her time - "day and night" - in the temple "fasting and praying." (v. 37) Now she is praising God, thanking God and telling "all" about what she has seen. We aren't told if she started singing, or not, but she was praising, thanking and sharing. As we continue to celebrate Christmas, even if only in our own minds, are we thanking, praising and sharing? Are we talking with people about how we have seen (and felt) the Messiah - Emmanuel, God WITH us? Something to think about......... "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child," (Luke 2:17)
Talking about, "concerning," what we have learned, seen, and (or) heard can be both interesting and difficult. How are you at sharing when something "new" has happened? What is your reaction when you have to talk about something? We frequently, now days, see - and hear - "if you see something SAY something." (Emphasis mine) The question remains...DO we? Do we say something even when it is a GOOD thing we have seen? The Scripture readings are sharing the Good News of Jesus' birth. Isaiah is telling us "for to us a child is born." (Isaiah 9:6) Titus is sharing "the grace of God" has appeared and "offers salvation." (Titus 2:11) Paul is pointing out the "already" of celebrating Jesus's birth. Luke is also sharing the already. He is explaining about the shepherds hearing the angels and being "terrified" (Luke 2:9) but how they followed instructions, went to see the baby AND "spread the word." They talked about what they had seen and heard. People were "amazed" (Luke 2:18) but the shepherds still talked about it. So......how are we at "talking" about it? Do we "spread the word" of where we have seen, felt and followed? Do we talk about knowing God's presence and strength through all the changes, and challenges, happening around us? Something to think about....... "For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed." (Luke 1:48 NLT)
Sharing stories is what we do - isn't it? When we are gathered together as a family we share about other times we have gathered or maybe about a recent trip, event or celebration. We share the stories with family, with friends, as a "teaching moment" and sometimes with complete strangers because we are so excited about something. Sometimes the story is a happy memory, sometimes a funny "oops" memory and sometimes a surprise memory. Some of the best memories, especially to share with the "younger" generation, are about "when I was your age we _________." The readings, today, are about sharing stories - memories. Mary is looking forward to what "all generations" will think about the miracle that is happening in her life. (v. 48) Paul is explaining about how his teachings are now being "revealed and made known" through him and others. (Romans 16:26) And the Gospel reading, also in Luke, is the angel visiting Mary telling her about her son and how "he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33) The angel also tells Mary about her cousin, Elizabeth, giving Mary someone to share her story with right away. All through Advent, as we have prepared to celebrate Jesus' birthday, we have been looking at Jesus' family tree - and the stories. Now we need to think about sharing the stories...... Who are we telling about our encounters with God? Who are we encouraging, like Mary and Elizabeth, with the stories? Who are we "revealing" the stories to - like Paul? Something to think about...... "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Matthew 2:6)
When you think of "small towns" what do you think of? A population under 5,000? A population under a thousand? A community with only one traffic light? A suburb to a larger community? I have lived in a town with less than 300 people (but it did have a traffic light!). There is also a community near me with less than 50 people. What about voices? Can ONE voice make a difference? One person speaking up, calling attention to, a problem or need? The Scripture readings today are pointing out the one voice coming from a small town. The reading, in Matthew, is King Herod asking, and learning, where the Messiah will be born - in Bethlehem, a town of less than 1000 people. (v.6) 1 Thessalonians is reminding us to be praying, listening for what God is saying to us through the Holy Spirit. (5:19) The Gospel reading is telling us about the one voice calling to people to prepare to "make straight the way for the Lord." (John 1:23) One voice calling for change, for people to prepare - "make straight the way." Yes, many of us DO live in small communities. Some of us live in "small" communities, even if the community is in a larger community or city, because of the building (or family) we are living with. Yes, we are often the one voice trying to get people to pay attention. Are we listening for what God is saying to us? Are we doing what God is asking us to do? Do we believe that one small voice, from a small community, can make a difference? Something to think about....... "Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." (Genesis 32:28)
When we think of families and wrestling we are probably thinking of the times brothers, sisters, cousins - whomever - really got into what ever they were arguing about -- right? Or, maybe, it is the time the whole family came together because of an outsider. We can fight among ourselves but then we come together. In all these scenarios we "overcome" - right? The readings, today, are about families and wrestling. The Genesis reading is the story of Jacob becoming Israel because of wrestling "with God and with humans" especially while wrestling with fear. (v. 28) Peter is reminding all of us God's timing is not our timing. (2 Peter 3:8) As we wrestle with changes, schedules and families we need to remember Emmanuel - God IS with us. The Gospel reading, in Mark 1, is telling us about John the Baptist who is also talking about Emmanuel coming and being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) So.... whatever we are wrestling with, our family or changes happening, we can KNOW God is with us helping and guiding. In this "microwave" world, however we need to remember God's timing is NOT our timing. We need to remember God keeps God's promises and keep moving forward. Something to think about........ "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." (1 Corinthians 1:4)
Today is an interesting mix of the liturgical calendar. We are celebrating "Christ the King Sunday" - the end of one liturgical year (year A) and the first Sunday in Advent - the start of the new liturgical year (year B). Some churches are "only" doing "Christ the King" because four Sundays in Advent could happen in December. The churches I serve went with the combination so we can celebrate Christmas Eve on Sunday the 24th. No matter which time line we are using we can be celebrating Christ as Lord (King) of our lives as we look at Jesus "family tree," or "Roots." The Scripture readings, today, are talking about the Messiah and the coming of the Messiah while also talking about the King of kings, Lord of lords. Isaiah is pointing out Jesus comes from Jesse "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jess" (Isaiah 11:1) and the "Spirit of the Lord will rest on him." (Isaiah 11:2a) Paul is pointing out, to the Corinthians, how he "always thanks my God" because of the "grace given you in Christ Jesus." (1:4) These are about the Messiah, Jesus - the birth we are getting ready to celebrate in about a month. Jesus is pointing out He will return! "At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." (Mark 13:26) God keeps God's promises! Jesus WILL return and we need to be ready for it to happen. So....Advent.... The time of celebrating the already - The King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Messiah's birthday from 2000+ years ago - and thinking about Jesus' "roots" and family. At the same time we need to be preparing for Jesus' return - the "not yet." Even as Caregivers, maybe especially as Caregivers, we need to be stopping to take time with God, to strengthen our relationship with God so we ARE ready for Jesus to return. Something to think about....... "To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey." (Matthew 25;15)
This is Thanksgiving week. Have you ever stopped to think about all the gifts God has blessed each, and all, of us with? On Thanksgiving Day we used to say at least one thing we were thankful for just before we said grace for the "feast" we were about to eat. One thing - can you name one? What about the gifts God has given - like singing, music, quilting, able to "do" technology - how are you growing and using that gift? The readings today are about growing and using our gifts. Deborah is guiding the troops for battle, explaining who will be where doing what. (Judges 4:7) Paul is pointing out to the Thessalonians the importance of "putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8) This is so we can stay strong AND encourage each other - especially through difficult times. Jesus is pointing out how two, of the three people, took the gifts given them and doubled said gifts. (Matthew 25:16) They took the gifts given to them, strengthened them and doubled them. Are we strengthening the gifts God has given to each, and all, of us? Are we growing the gift, using the gift? What are we doing WITH the gift? There is a LOT going on right now AND it is Thanksgiving. How are we using the blessings, the gifts God has given us? There are people living right near each of us who could use some encouragement, even someone to just "notice" them, and maybe some fellowship. There are caregivers who could use a break AND some encouragement. There are some singles who would love to be included in fellowship - maybe even a meal. Something to think about...... In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6a NLT)
Have you thought about giving yourself a gift? One of the training classes I was at, for a volunteer position I was in, spoke about having bad days --> give yourself a pick-me-up gift. If you are having a great day --> give yourself a celebration gift. A friend, in the same training I was in, agreed our 'celebration gift' was ice cream! This is an interesting idea! Sometimes to stop, take time for us, is the gift we can give ourselves. God has given us, "in his grace," different gifts. Each of us can do something that is special do us. Yes, I quilt - like a LOT of other people - but I can do it as time with God, time in prayer and to give as gifts. I will even admit that the gift I give myself, on occasion, is something to do with quilting (or knitting). I might, although it doesn't happen often, is to actually make something for me. What gift has God given you - that you love to do? How is it you spend time with God? Can you give yourself a gift? Some things to think about. |
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