EXPLORING THE BIBLE
5 January 2020 Ps 147:12-20, Eph 1:3-14, Jn 1:(1-9), 10-18
We want to praise comfortable images of God. We want to be held warm in the palm of God’s hand. We want the nurturing of God as mother or caring father. We would prefer the singing, shouting and dancing of Jeremiah.
29 December: Matthew 2: 13 – 23
God’s love, shown to us in Jesus, is with us, now and forever. Thanks be to God.
25 December Christmas Day Luke 2: (1-7), 8 – 20
In the year of Matthew, we turn to Luke for Christmas Day because of Luke’s memorable story of Jesus’ birth.
22 December Advent 4: Matthew 1: 18 – 25
In Matthew chapter 1:1-17, Matthew prepares us for the shocking news that Jesus the Messiah was conceived out of wedlock, and was a descendant of Abraham and of David. From verses 18-25, Matthew makes it very clear that this is no normal child. Jesus is “Son of David”, not by the usual physical means, but by Joseph’s lineage and the Holy Spirit.
15 December Advent 3: Matthew 11: 2 – 11
Maybe we too need to question again who Jesus is for ourselves. Like John we can experience a deeper understanding by asking honest questions which relate to where we are in our lives. “Come, Lord Jesus, come!”
8 December Advent 2: Matthew 3: 1 – 12
As we think more seriously about our preparations for a joyful Christmas, again we are confronted with a person who has a different agenda! “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.