December 31, 2023
1st Sunday of Christmas, Year B
Scriptures:
Isaiah 61:10—62:3 Clothed in garments of salvation
Psalm 148 The splendor of the Lord is over earth and heaven. (Ps. 148:13)
Galatians 4:4-7 Children and heirs of God
Luke 2:22-40 The presentation of the child
Key verse:
“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40)
Questions to ponder:
1. Can you tell of a congregation that you saw gradually growing and developing like a child guided by Jesus’ teaching? What did it take to make it happen?
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, church refers to as the body of Christ with many members and is to bear God’s eternal purposes. How does that image of the church help you seeing yourself as part of Christ’s body and God’s eternal purpose?
3. What is your understanding of God’s salvation? And in this Christmas season, how have you seen the salvation that God has prepared in the presence of all peoples in your own context?
Prayer: God’s salvation, the only Savior and Healer of all who fall short, we praise your splendid work that fills our lacking, changes our selfish hearts and minds, and renews our identity as your children. Through the life of Jesus, His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection, may our life in Him also grow wiser and wiser through His teachings, stronger and stronger by practicing what He commissions us to do, so that we may boast in whose we are as God’s favored ones. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
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