Embedded Files
. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
ABC Christmas 1
Birth of Christ, by Luke Hua Xiaoxian, downloaded 20251215 from the Christianity Today website.
Published date 12/26/2024
Star Words
Star Words
“Star Words” are words of guidance and/or reflection. In some churches, these are distributed at worship on Epiphany or the Sunday following. Each person receiving the Star Word is asked to reflect on that word in the coming year—put the “star” on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror to remind you. We know a star led the Magi to find the baby Jesus, so we ask God to use these stars to guide us.
Here's an adaptation of Star Words to the online forum. There are 412 words in the “Star Word” list. To determine which is yours, type “random number” in your browser. Some browsers will return a random number to you. Others will just point you to a random number generator. You need to indicate a random number between 1 and 412. When you get your random number, PM it to me (or email) and I will return to you the Star Word associated with your random number from the list. There should be none who generate the same number BUT if I get two I will go up or down on the list for your number. I look forward to hearing from you. Good random number generating! Of course, if you wish, I will generate a random number for you.
Awareness for all humanity
Awareness for all humanity
This is a descriptive challenge of the Season of Epiphany to help move us away from an emphasis on the baby and gifts to the beginning of biblical insights as to who Jesus is. For reality's sake, these are the more accurate details: It is important that we celebrate the Epiphany (January 6th) as the beginning of a realization that the "Visitation" of the Magi is intended to affect our worldview. If you think the Word of God "Let there be . . ." in Genesis is important, consider the Word of God becoming "flesh" in Bethlehem!
Note the details of Matthew chapter 11:
The Child may have been two years old. (Herod killed children who were up to three years of age.)
The wise men visited a house! No stable, no angels, no farm animals.
Joseph and Mary had at least two years to obtain a home and Joseph to find work.
Joseph is not mentioned as being present, but since it was dark enough for stars, Joseph could be home.
Speculations abound regarding stars and planetary activity. "Stars arising" is a common metaphor for significant births and may be woven into any story, provided the actual burning energy, of which a star is composed, does not literally move about the heavens and be close enough to shine on a specific residence. The Wise men were non-Jews who predicted events by studying the movement of the stars. Their knowledge of the heavens was brilliant "flat-earth knowledge" common to all cultures, especially the Greeks. Astronomy and Planetary knowledge in the second year of the Common Era leave something to be desired.
©2022 Philip Whitehead
John 1:1-18
John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. . . .
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. . . . It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
From sermon4kids.com: “I enjoy giving and receiving gifts at Christmas, but I think it is important for us to remember that the greatest gift of all was God's gift to us. It is the gift that keeps on giving! "
A visual and audio journey through the scripture.
Scripture: December 29, 2024—First Sunday after Christmas, ABC—Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (image); Psalm 147 or 147:13-21 (image); Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 (image); and John 1:1-18 (image).
Collect: Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: Consider what it means to be a child of God by adoption. What does it mean to you to think of yourself as a brother or sister of Jesus, who is the Son of God?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Images enhancing
the scripture
“The first steps of Jesus” (~1300), unknown French
“The miracle of the Clay birds” (~15), medieval painting (take time to read the story)
“The child Jesus going down to Nazareth with his parents” (1856) by William Charles Thomas Dobson
Music founded
in the scripture
“There shall a star from Jacob” by Mendelssohn (FSU Choral Union)
“Amen! See the little baby“, gospel sound
“You laid aside your majesty“, contemporary, Heart of Worshp
Other voices
about the scripture
"Plunge yourself into obscurity", by Daniel Clendenin
“And the word was God” by Jocopo Gnisci
"Divine and human favor" by Karoline Lewis
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“Children of men” (2006, R), "every place is potentially dangerous", Review
“Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002, PG-13), Technology enslaves us, Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide); group activities; snacks; Kid video.
For children: See family guide/activities (another Activity); Bulletin; plate pocket manger.
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another Activity); Bulletin, excited shepherds.
For youth: In many ways, Jesus' birth is our birthdays as well—He came so we would be adopted children of God. And your parents (or you) participated in your adoption through your baptism. Yet, you are one of many of God's children. Look around to see if there are pictures of your baptism or your confirmation and reflect on the images. Then ask your family what they recall about the experience. Extend that to ask some in your church family what they remember about your baptism or their own baptism. What sticks out in the narratives? Welcome, Christmas birthday
excerpted from “Grafted into God's family” from the Stewardship of Life website.Christmas coloring pages: annunciation; Bethlehem star; candles; Christmas prayer; Come, Lord Jesus; Go, tell it; God with us; Joy & Peace; Leaped for joy; Magnificat; Manger scene one and two.
The First Sunday after Christmas is focused again on the prologue to John’s Gospel, but it continues the reading for a few more verses, dealing with the new relationship between God and humankind, which is characterized by grace rather than law. The Second Sunday focuses on Jesus and his parents, with a choice for the Gospel reading of one of the accounts of his infancy and childhood.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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