The Birth of Jesus At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register. This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to their own towns to be registered.So Joseph left Nazareth,…
Category: A Faith in Process
Notes from the Journey
Advent, Week 3: Saturday
Christmas Music – It’s Everywhere! So, it’s entirely possible that by now you are heartily sick of Christmas music. That would be too bad, since it is such an integral part of the celebration. I mean the carols and nativity songs, of course, not the Frosty, Grinch, Deck the Halls, and snow celebration songs that…
Advent, Week 3: Friday
When he had contemplated this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you will name him…
Advent, Week 3: Thursday
Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce…
Advent, Week 3: Wednesday
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets of long ago,that we should be…
Advent, Week 3: Tuesday
Now Elizabeth’s time had come to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and cousins heard how the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they were calling him Zechariah, after the name of his father. But…
Advent, Week 3: Monday
Mary’s Song of Thanks Then Mary said, “My heart sings with thanks for my Lord. And my spirit is happy in God, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin. The Lord has looked on me, His servant-girl and one who is not important. But from now on all people will honor me. He…
Advent, Week 2: Saturday
Yikes! Just 10 days until Christmas Eve!By now you may have been overwhelmed by the holiday crazies. Here are some thoughts to help you get back on track. SIMPLE TRUTH: As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our…
Advent, Week 2: Friday
Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has…
Advent, Week 2: Thursday
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She…