Wisdom
12As God's
chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with
one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other;
just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all,
clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to
God. 17And whatever you do, in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
Colossians 3:12-17
![Title: Joy to the World!
[Click for larger image view]](https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/cdri/jpeg/ACT0081.jpg)
Joy to the World,the Lord is Come!!!
Illustration from Dem. Republic of Congo
Wonder is the
beginning of wisdom
~
Greek Proverb
Preconceived notions are the locks
on the door to wisdom.
~
Merry Browne
The
elk were feeding up to help Santa with his sleigh!
The
Rotary-decorated tree at the Welcome to Evergreen sign.
Terrey
Herrod, center, held our Painted Toe Art Society Christmas
gathering
in her lovely home!
Carolyn
(CV) Martyn under Terrey’s Christmas tree.
Nancy
Priest tossing her salad.
Little
JAK had five teeth extracted on Monday.
He
was not happy about it! However, he did enjoy
the
vanilla Ensure I gave him to eat!!!
Dotty
Reaves, Sharron and Jim Leonard
Christmas
Dinner at Wind Crest with Dotty and the Leonards.
The early Christians did not say in dismay, “Look what
the world has come to,” but in delight, “Look what has come to the world.”
They saw not merely the ruin, but the Resource for the reconstruction of
that ruin. They saw not merely that sin did abound, but that grace did
much more abound.
~
E. Stanley Jones *
December 25, 2021 - Christmas
Day, Year C
December 26, 2021 - First Sunday of Christmas, Year C
Previous OPQs may be found at:
* E. Stanley Jones was a Methodist doctor
and missionary to India. He is also the founder of the Christian
Ashram movement.
1In those days
a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the
first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to
their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to
be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they
were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave
birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8In that
region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night. 9Then an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10But the
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of
great joy for all the people: 11to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be
a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the
highest heaven,
and on earth peace
among those whom he favors!”
15When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the
Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went
with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they
saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary
treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and
seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
Agnus
Day, by James Wetzstein
Agnus
Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org
Traditional 12th century Latin hymn,
English text with lyrics performed by a traditional choir.
O
Come, O Come Emmanuel
…
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12-17
Christmas Eve, Morn, or Mid-Day
Isaiah 9:2-7;
Psalm 96;
Titus 2:11-14;
Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) 26
Christmas 1C
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
2 The
people who walked in darkness
have seen a great
light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness —
on them light has
shined.
3 You have
multiplied the nation,
you have increased
its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the
harvest,
as people exult when
dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of
their burden,
and the bar across
their shoulders,
the rod of their
oppressor,
you have broken as
on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots
of the tramping warriors
and all the
garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as
fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has
been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
7 His authority
shall grow continually,
and there shall be
endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish
and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time
onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Psalm 96:1-13
1 O
sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD,
all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD,
bless his name;
tell of his
salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory
among the nations,
his marvelous works
among all the peoples.
4 For great is the
LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered
above all gods.
5 For all the gods
of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made
the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty
are before him;
strength and beauty
are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the
LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD
glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the
LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering,
and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD
in holy splendor;
tremble before him,
all the earth.
10 Say
among the nations, “The LORD is king!
The world is firmly
established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the
peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar,
and all that fills it;
12 let
the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for
joy
13 before
the LORD; for he is coming,
for he is coming to
judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples
with his truth.
Second Reading Titus 2:11-14
11For the
grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us
to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives
that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we
wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God
and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who
gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for
himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Gospel Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
1In those
days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be
registered. 2This was the first registration and
was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to
their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also
went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to
be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they
were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave
birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8In that
region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their
flock by night. 9Then an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10But the
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of
great joy for all the people: 11to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be
a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the
highest heaven,
and on earth peace
among those whom he favors!”
15When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the
Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went
with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they
saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary
treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and
seen, as it had been told them.
First Reading 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
18Samuel was
ministering before the LORD, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19His mother
used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went
up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20Then Eli
would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "May the LORD repay you with
children by this woman for the gift that she made to the LORD"; and then
they would return to their home.
26Now the boy
Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with
the people.
1Praise the Lord!
Praise the
Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2Praise him,
all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
3Praise him,
sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him,
you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5Let them
praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6He
established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7Praise the
Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8fire and
hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9Mountains
and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10Wild animals
and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
11Kings of the
earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men
and women alike,
old and young together!
13Let them
praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14He has
raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the
Lord!
Second Reading Colossians 3:12-17
12As God's
chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with
one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other;
just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all,
clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word
of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to
God. 17And whatever you do, in word or
deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
41Now every
year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he
was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the
festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Assuming
that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they
started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they
did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three
days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to
them and asking them questions. 47And all who
heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his
parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child,
why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for
you in great anxiety." 49He said to
them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in
my Father's house?" 50But they did
not understand what he said to them. 51Then he went
down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother
treasured all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus
increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.