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Daily Reading for Monday (12/28)
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Matthew 2:13-18 [M] [NRS]
“Rachel weeping for her children because they were no more”

Daily Reading for Tuesday (12/29)
Luke 2:22-35 [M] [NRS]
“This child is set for the fall and rising of many”

Daily Reading for Wednesday (12/30)
Luke 2:36-40 [M] [NRS]
“All who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem”

Daily Reading for Thursday (12/31)
John 1:1-18 [M] [NRS]
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

Daily Reading for Friday (1/1)
Luke 2:16-21 [M] [NRS]
“He was called Jesus”

Daily Reading for Saturday (1/2)
John 1:19-28 [M] [NRS]
“The Christ …the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie”

Daily Reading for Feast of Epiphany (1/3)
Matthew 2:1-12 [M] [NRS]
“They fell down and worshiped Jesus”

Christmas Eve, Kairos held an informal service in which our kids retold the Christmas story and we sang some favorite carols.  After the story, Bob offered this reflection on the message of Christmas for us today:

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, and we are used to looking at the miraculous story of Christ’s birth as God’s greatest gift to us.  Which it is – God has given us everything we need in Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.

I want to encourage you this night to think of the Christ-event, the birth of the babe who would be Messiah, as an invitation. (more…)

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Daily Reading for Monday (12/21)
Luke 1:26-38 [M] [NRS]
“For with God nothing will be impossible”

Daily Reading for Tuesday (12/22)
Luke 1:46-56 [M] [NRS]
Joyful Expectation of the Messiah

Daily Reading for Wednesday (12/23)
Luke 1:57-66 [M] [NRS]
“What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him

Daily Reading for Thursday (12/24)
Luke 1:67-79 [M] [NRS]
Nothing is Impossible with God

Daily Reading for Christmas (12/25)
Luke 2:15-20 [M] [NRS]
The shepherds praised and glorified God for all they had heard and seen

Daily Reading for Saturday (12/26)
Matthew 10:17-22 [M] [NRS]
“The one who endures to the end will be saved”

Daily Reading for Sunday (12/27)
Luke 2:41-52 [M] [NRS]
“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house”

Kairos’ Christmas Eve service will be held at 5:30 pm Dec. 24 at United Friends School, 1018 W. Broad St., Quakertown.  Our service will feature lots of singing and a retelling of the Christmas story by our children. For information email Bob at bob@liveservegrow.info.

Daily Reading for Monday (12/14)
Matthew 21:23-27 [M] [NRS]
“The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?”
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Daily Reading for Tuesday (12/15)
Matthew 21:28-32 [M] [NRS]
“The tax collectors and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you”

Daily Reading for Wednesday (12/16)
Luke 7:18-23 [M] [NRS]
“The blind receive their sight and the poor have good news preached to them”

Daily Reading for Thursday (12/17)
Matthew 1:1-17 [M] [NRS]
“The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David”

Daily Reading for Friday (12/18)
Matthew 1:18-24 [M] [NRS]
“He will save his people from their sins”

Daily Reading for Saturday (12/19)
Luke 1:5-25 [M] [NRS]
“Many will rejoice at his birth”

Daily Reading for Sunday (12/20)
Luke 1:39-45 [M] [NRS]
Joyful Anticipation of the Messiah

Luke 3:10-18 [M] [NRS]
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”
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We’ll gather on the Sunday before Christmas, Dec. 20, at 4 pm at United Friends School, Quakertown, for a contemplative family Taize service.

Matthew 17:10-13 [M] [NRS]
“Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things”
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Matthew 11:16-19 [M] [NRS]
Will this generation heed God’s wisdom?
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Matthew 11:11-15 [M] [NRS]
“He is Elijah who is to come”
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Matthew 11:28-30 [M] [NRS]
“Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls”
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Luke 1:26-38 [M] [NRS]
“For with God nothing will be impossible”
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Luke 5:17-26 [M] [NRS]
“Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk?’”
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Luke 3:1-6 [M] [NRS]
“The word of God came to John in the wilderness”
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Matthew 9:35-10:1,6-8 [M] [NRS]
“The kingdom of heaven is at hand”
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This week we continue to explore the “Good News” through Mary’s eyes. After Mary learned that she was pregnant, she visited an elderly relative, Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child (John the Baptist). When the two met Mary praised God with words that foreshadow Jesus’ main theme, that God’s love and mercy are not just for the strong and the holy, but also for the weak and the lowly.

Check out Luke 1:39-55 at http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=127026786.

Mary’s words get at the powerful center of the gospel, the “great reversal” that her son Jesus will preach and, eventually, be killed for: God provides for, and loves (to death) all those who humbly seek him and are willing to be who God created them to be.

Being pious and holier-than-thou doesn’t cut it. Following religious rituals and practices isn’t the answer (although they can be helpful in developing spiritually if used well). Jesus’ core teachings are so simple – forgiveness, reconciliation, care for the poor, loving one’s enemies – that you can spend your entire life on them.

This week our plan is simple…to contemplate where we hear good news and “bad news” in Mary’s words, and how God is calling us to be good news to others. Join us Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4 pm at Fletchers’. Call Bob at 267.702.4262 to find out more.

To get a different take on Mary’s song, check out this recording by JJ Heller, called “My Savior’s Love Endures”:

Another favorite is “The Canticle of the Turning,” lyrics here: http://protocatholic.blogspot.com/2007/09/canticle-of-turning.html

Last week we began our Advent journey by exploring the “good news” that Jesus came to proclaim, the prophecy of Isaiah that he brought to life in front of a hometown crowd:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

We saw that the people of Nazareth found Jesus’ “good news” – God’s favor for the poor, the blind, and the outsiders, not just for them – to be bad news. (Luke 4:14:30, http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=126423915)

We also started a benevolent project, using an Advent Giving Calendar that we distributed. This calendar asks us to look at what we have been blessed with and then respond with a small gift for those who are less fortunate. Together, we’re collecting the coins the calendar asks us to set aside, and after Christmas we will pool the resources and decide on a worthy cause to support.

You can download the calendar here: http://goodrichdesign.net/adventgivingcalendar.htm

Don’t worry if you didn’t start on the first day. Just jump in where you are. You can always catch up if you desire. Whatever you can do is a way to embody Christ’s message and “bring good news to the poor.”

Matthew 9:27-31 [M] [NRS]
“According to your faith be it done to you”
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Matthew 7:21,24-27 [M] [NRS]
“Who shall enter the kingdom of heaven?”
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Matthew 15:29-37 [M] [NRS]
“When they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing …they glorified the God of Israel”
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