A Lovely Night Prayer

For the Lectionary reading for Christmas, see last Friday’s posting.

Pastor Nick reads the one-minute Firestarter.

Simeon’s song of praise. Aert de Gelder 1645-1727

Like the mixing of two currents of water in the ocean, so blend aspects of stories of Jesus’ birth. Zechariah and Elizabeth represent the ancient longing for the Messiah. They stand next to young Mary and Joseph filled with happiness of the promise fulfilled in Jesus. In today’s reading, the aged Simeon and Anna meet Mary and Joseph who present Jesus in the Temple. The Holy Spirit tells them that the quiet, gentle couple with their baby arriving that day is the answer to their deepest prayer. The Old and the New meet. Like a plant, the patience of Simeon and Anna brings forth the flower of great joy. The Song of Simeon, the third of the songs in St. Luke’s early stories of Jesus, sweetly lifts Simeon and all of us to the comfort of resting in God’s presence.

I suggest you pray this song by your bedside before going off to sleep. Jesus rests in your heart as in a temple.

The Reading for Sunday: Luke 2:22-40

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Lectionary.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Original Version for Adults

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Jesus Comes to Stay

Pastor Nick reads the one-minute Firestarter.

Correggio The Nativity (Holy Night) 1528-30

St. Francis of Assisi in the fourteenth century meditated a great deal on the story of Jesus’ birth. For him, the manger, the stable and the animals where signs of Jesus being born so humble and so poor.

St. Luke would agree with Francis’ meditation. However, he had a few other ideas when he wrote about the birth of Jesus. There are two further points he brings to our silent, prayerful meditation. First, there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn, because Jesus did not just come for a visit to stay awhile, as we do when we stop at a motel. Jesus came to stay! Second, Mary and Joseph laid Jesus in a manger, which means a place where animals eat. Jesus rests for the first time in a wooden box reminding us of the wood of the cross, where he would come to rest in death. He gave us his presence in Holy Communion so that we might eat of him and live forever.

The Reading for Friday: Luke 2:1-20

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Original Version for Adults

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A Resting Place for God

Imagine quietly entering the room where the teen-age girl, Mary, is praying. The peace of Mary’s gentle, loving, open heart fills the space. Enter Angel Gabriel who brightens the room even more, adding the warmth and joy of his message. Imagine: Mary is asked to allow God to place God’s only Son in her womb. The body of Jesus will be woven each day as though God is stitching together a precious fabric.

As you feel this time of prayer for yourself, know that God has plans for your life to bring forth Jesus, just as was God’s plan for Mary. She offers us an example of humility, gentleness and love which are just the qualities that God needs in us to find a resting place in our hearts.

You have been given a wonderful mission in life to have God become real for others. May this bring you much joy and happiness.

The Reading for Friday: Luke 1:26-38

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Original Version for Adults

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A Morning Prayer

Pastor Nick reads the one-minute Firestarter.

For nine months, deep in the silent space beneath Elizabeth’s heart, John the Baptist was being formed. As silent as this space, was the mouth of John’s father, Zechariah. Remember what happened to Zechariah in the opening of St. Luke’s Gospel that we read two weeks ago. Zechariah doubted Angel Gabriel’s words. It was time for him to be quiet for nine months, preparing himself allow God to speak through him.

That’s just what happened when John was born. The people shouted for joy. Happiness and faith blurted out of the mouth of Zechariah who sang the song of today’s reading.

The song has been connected for many centuries with morning prayer. This is a wonderful reading to pray with your family after breakfast before you all go about your day. You will receive the same joy of Elizabeth and Zechariah who were so happy about what God did for them, and what God will do for you this day that God has made.

The Reading for Friday: Luke 1:57-80

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Original Version for Adults

Posted by Nick. Categories: Bible Study, Family Devotional. Tags: Luke. Leave a comment

Visit from an Angel

Pastor Nick reads the one-minute Firestarter.

Once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a Jewish priest would be privileged to offer special prayers in the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Temple. (Take a look at the floor-plan of the Temple from Wednesday’s reading this week.) Lots were drawn to see who be chosen. Perhaps they had a pile of straws; the priest who picked the shortest one was the winner. Only a priest who hadn’t won before in his life, could accept the honor. This is what happened to Zechariah.

The priest would then pray for the coming of the the Messiah who would save God’s people. But Zechariah offered an extra, personal prayer. He and his wife Elizabeth never had children. They were very sad.

Everything changes when the Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah. Feel the changes and get ready to share in great happiness.

The Reading for Friday: Luke 1:1-25

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Original Version for Adults

Posted by Nick. Categories: Bible Study, Family Devotional. Tags: Luke. 1 Comment

From Sadness to Joy

Sunday: The Gospels from the Lectionary
Luke 24:13-35

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Caravaggio – “Supper at Emmaus” 1606
Oil on canvas, 4.6 feet x 5.7 feet- Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

Can you remember the last time that you felt sad? Like dropping a pebble into a lake, drop into the sadness. What happened? When was it? Where were you? Whom you were with? Now picture Jesus with you as you feel. You may not have thought about him when the sad event took place, but he was with you then and is with you now so that you can find comfort his love for you. Imagine Jesus embracing you.

The story in the Gospel today is about two disciples of Jesus on their way back home after the crucifixion Imagine them walking with Jesus and how they slowly became aware of his presence. They understanding the Bible more and more. You’ll read about the moment when they recognized how Jesus is.

Walk with these disciples from the start of their journey home to the great moment of joy. You’ll be so happy with them!

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
What are these?
Quicken my heart to believe v. 25
Suffering before glory v. 26
Eyes opened when bread broken v. 31
You opening the Scriptures v. 32

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the Third Week in Easter, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from
The Revised Common Lectionary.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12,
so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions
near the International Date Line.

Posted by Nick. Categories: Bible Study, Daily Devotional, Family Devotional. Tags: Luke. Leave a comment

Wonder

Friday, December 27
Luke 2:1–20

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Federico Fiori Barocci – “The Nativity” 1597
Oil on canvas, 134 x 105 cm – Museo del Prado, Madrid
Visit the Web Gallery of Art http://www.wga.hu

When I was growing up, we used to place little figurines of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the animals into our fireplace. One single Christmas tree light was set above like the star shining down. It was special. There in the center of our home as a family, we added ourselves to those looking at the manger.

You probably have something similar in your home. Go there. Be silent like Mary and Joseph so that you can feel all this wonder…and yourself wonder at what the child is going to mean for all of us, especially for you.

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
The donkey to Bethlehem v. 4
Laying Him in a manger v. 7
Hosanna in excelsis v. 14
Mary ponders in her heart. v. 19

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the fourth of four weeks in Advent, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Matthew, except during Advent, the Infancy Narratives of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12,
so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions
near the International Date Line.

Writing from the Silence

Friday, December 20
Luke 1:57–80

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

Photo Courtesy – http://vivliocafe.blogspot.comm

I like to think that it was the long months of silence in the life of Zechariah that prepared him for the wonderful song he sang when his baby, John, was born. There’s something in there for us…Keeping silence for a good stretch of time can help us when it comes time to talk.

The same thing can be said about writing. Try this some Advent evening. Light a candle and just relax as you gaze upon these simple flames that say to the dark, “There is light!” Have a pencil and paper before you. Be quiet…pray…be aware of God. Ask God to help you write from your heart. Then after some minutes, just start writing whatever comes. What does come will be from way inside you!

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
The dawn from on high breaks in. v. 79
Blest be God for redeeming. v. 68
Serving God in holiness. v. 75
Giving light to those in dark v. 79

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the third of four weeks in Advent, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Matthew, except during Advent, the Infancy Narratives of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12,
so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions
near the International Date Line.

Jesus Changes Everything

Friday, December 13
Luke 1:26–56

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

El Greco “Annunciation” 1608-14
Oil on canvas, 291 x 205 cm – Colección Santander Central Hispano, Madrid

If John’s birth is a miracle, how much more, the birth of Jesus! Mary is his mother; Jesus’ Father is God.

As you read the story of the coming birth of Jesus, you’ll hear the Angel Gabriel promise wonderful things that are going to take place in Mary’s life. Much different from Zechariah, the father of John, Mary only wonders and believes what is going to happen to her.

Sit beside Mary as she hears the joyous promises of Gabriel. The birth of Jesus changes everything!

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Open to be filled with grace. v. 28
Holy Spirit hovering. v. 35
The child in me leaps for joy. v. 44
My soul magnifies the Lord. v. 47

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the second of four weeks in Advent, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Matthew, except during Advent, the Infancy Narratives of Luke.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.

A Season of Surprise

Friday, December 6, 2013
Luke 1:1–25

Click or touch “Firestarter”
To listen to Nick read the one-minute introduction.

http://restlesspilgrim.net

Zechariah is a very old man whose wife, Elizabeth, is too old to have a child. We see him in the middle of the holiest place in the temple, begging for God’s mercy on behalf of God’s people. His prayer is all the more strong because of the deep sadness he feels: he and his wife are alone without a child.

But a miracle is on its way! John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, is coming. Listen to the promise given to Zechariah. He just can’t bring himself to believe that Elizabeth is going to have a child.

Is there something you really want in your life that you gave up on believing that it is going to happen? Wait: God may have a wonderful surprise for you, something like the surprise for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Advent is the season to expect that God is going to surprise us!

The Reading for Today
Text     Audio

Bible Breaths
Living righteous and blameless v. 6
Birth of John: gladness and joy v. 14
Filled with the Holy Spirit v. 15
A people prepared for God v. 17

Click or touch the image
for the original version.

This is the first of four weeks in Advent, Year A.
See “Solar and Sacred Seasons” in the menu above.
We read the Gospel of Matthew, except the Gospel of Luke for the season of Advent.

Scripture Recordings in over 700 languages!
Faith Comes By Hearing
Audio Bible App from www.bible.is

The Firestarters and readings are posted in the timezone UTC+12, so that they are available in New Zealand and other regions near the International Date Line.