December 24, 2017, Lectionary

Desplazar hacia abajo. Scroll down for Spanish.

In the presence of God, who makes me a part of God's forever promise to David through God's Son, I ponder what does this require of me. 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

One of the connectors for Paul's run-on sentences is "according to." He and Luke use this more than any others. So in this case, are the three instances of "according to" strung along increasingly subordinate (accepting a "which was") or are they equal (needing an "and")? Romans 16:25-27

Mary at the time of the annunciation and the magnificat: young, pliant, unencumbered, idealistic, spirit-filled, prophetess. Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

Thoughts about Listening

Listening has three dimensions: listening to oneself, listening to one's higher power, listening to others. There is also the receiving of listening back from those same quarters. 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16  ? Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

Listen for the mystery at Christmas time. Romans 16:25-27

I have heard the words of the Christmas story from the Bible so many times that the trap of inattention could catch me. Luke 1:26-38, 46-55

Bible Reading Group Homework

1.    Read John 3:16 and discuss what love means at Christmastime.

2.    Read or listen to 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26. Ponder and discuss what it means that Jesus was called the Son of David.

3.    Read or listen to Romans 16:25-27. Use a concordance or a computerized search to find other mentions by Paul of this mystery. What might there be yet to be newly heard or understood in the Christmas story?

4.    Read or listen to Luke 1:26-38, 46-55. Consider Mary as a teenage girl in a poor rural Jewish society. What would be her lifestyle, dreams, hopes, and fears. Consider how the community may have celebrated her engagement to Joseph and what this news, brought by Gabriel, might have meant in all Mary’s context.

5.    Read or listen to the Christmas story, Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18 to 2:12. Before reading, ask God to make the mystery clearer to you this time than ever before.

******************

1.    Lea Juan 3:16 y analice qué significa el amor en la Navidad.

2.    Leer o escuchar 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 y Salmo 89: 1-4, 19-26. Medite y analize  lo que significa que Jesús fue llamado el Hijo de David.

3.    Leer o escuchar Romanos 16: 25-27. Use una concordancia o haga una búsqueda en internet para encontrar otras menciones de Pablo en este misterio.. ¿Qué es lo que podría haber  aquí para ser escuchado o entendido en la historia de Navidad?

4.    Leer o escuchar Lucas 1: 26-38, 46-55. Considere a María como una adolescente en una sociedad rural judía pobre. ¿Cuál sería su estilo de vida, sueños, esperanzas y miedos? Considere cómo la comunidad pudo haber celebrado su compromiso con José y lo que esta noticia, presentada por Gabriel, podría haber significado en todo el contexto de María.

5.    Leer o escuchar la historia de Navidad, Lucas 2: 1-20 y Mateo 1:18 a 2:12. Antes de leer, pídale a Dios que esta vez mas que nunca, le aclare el misterio.