It’s the twelfth day of Christmas! Today we commemorate the wisemen who visited Jesus. “The Day of the Kings” or “Epiphany” are both historical names for today. Psalm 72:1-14 (links to scriptures here) Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Notes Psalm 72:1-14 looks forward to Jesus reigning on earth as the heir of David’s throne. … Continue reading January 6, the Day of the Kings
As the new year begins, let’s take a moment to look back at our Advent characters and the spiritual disciplines and attitudes they modelled. Abraham shows us obedience—faith in action. Isaiah recorded God’s message, preserving his experiences with God so that others could read them. John the Baptist models discernment: he was aware of God … Continue reading New Year’s Week, Day 4
Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Sometimes I ask the Lord for a specific focus, a word that will shape my Bible readings for the year, a specific treasure to seek. I have chosen words like “praise” and “serve.” Last year my word was “seriously,” from this verse: But he’s already made … Continue reading New Year’s Week, Day 3
You’ve spent several weeks praising God for his faithfulness and his promises. Now it’s a new year and it’s time to think about how you will focus on God’s word in a new season. I know, the cover of this book only mentions the end of the year. I didn’t think “Treasuring God’s Faithfulness as … Continue reading New Year’s Week, Day 2
Psalm 8 (Read all the scriptures here.) Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 2:15-21 Notes Psalm 8: This psalm celebrates the greatness of God’s name as well as his power in creation. It is fascinating to ponder this as we consider Jesus becoming a helpless baby. Numbers 6:22-27 is a blessing the priests would … Continue reading New Year’s Day
Like St. Stephen’s Day, this is a startling somber remembrance in the midst of the festive twelve days of Christmas. Psalm 124 Jeremiah 31:15-17 Revelation 21:1-7 Matthew 2:13-18 Psalm 124 is an interesting psalm to read on a day when we remember Jesus and his family fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. I … Continue reading December 28 Remembering the Infants of Bethlehem
Psalm 92 (links to scriptures here) Exodus 33:18-23 I John 1:1-9 John 21:19-24 Notes Psalm 92: As the year draws to a close, we are all conscious that we are getting older. The end of Psalm 92 reminds us that God calls us to flourish spiritually in all seasons of our lives. Exodus 33: God … Continue reading December 27 Remembering the Apostle John
I remember learning the carol “Good King Wenceslas” when I was a kid, and finding out that St. Stephen’s Day, mentioned in the song, is December 26. It wasn’t until recently that I realized what this means: after Christmas—the very next day!—the church has traditionally remembered the first Christian martyr. What a somber thing to … Continue reading December 26 St. Stephen’s Day
Why in the world are there three readings for Christmas Day? To give you options. To give you something to come back and read in the middle of January when you are wondering where the holiday season vanished to so quickly. And not to give you stress. So if your guests or your pets or … Continue reading Christmas Day Daytime
There are three sets of traditional readings for Christmas. I couldn't pick just one! So today you have options. Choose the one that fits your celebration. There’s a midnight reading if you need a few moments of peace after a late night wrapping session. There’s a reading for dawn, in case your cat wakes you … Continue reading Christmas Day Dawn
Light for a Dark Season 