Author: John Thomas Frazier

Today is Day 12 of Christmas and the Last Day of Christmas.

Daily Office Readings for this day: Year 1

AM Psalms 2 and 110:1 to 5;
Joshua 1:1 to 9; Hebrews 11:32 to 12:2; John 15:1 to 16

Eve of Epiphany;
PM  Psalms 29 and  98;
Isaiah 66:18 to 23; Romans 15:7 to 13

“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name’; and again he says, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him’; and again Isaiah says, The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15: 7 to 13)

In these few words from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome, the word Gentiles appears 6 times.  This word means “the nations” “other than us.” and it shows the inclusive nature of God, and God’s call for us to reconcile all people to God.  This is our hope as Christians and as a people of faith.

At our closing of our Education of Ministry (EfM) on Sunday last, I asked one of our participants to select a closing for us at the end of Evening Prayer and she picked this closing from page 126 of our Book of Common Prayer, so let us end our Christmas season with the same:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Merry Christmas: Day 12, and our last Day of Christmas.

Angels still top our experiences today: Merry Christmas: Day 11

Messages of inclusion: we all belong to God in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas: Day 10

As a Christmas gift you are blessed, and you are called by God to be a blessing to all whom you come in contact with.  Merry Christmas: Day 9

Be you male or female, you were made as a gift to our community before you were born and so named at your own Christening. Merry Christmas: Day 8

God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

Today is the 11^th Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for January 4, 2021

AM Psalms 85 and 87; PM Psalm 89:1 to 29:
Exodus 3:1 to 12; Hebrews 11:23 to 31; John 14:6 to 14:

“Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.” (Exodus 3: 1 and 2)

This burning bush, or flaming tree, could perhaps be the prototype Christmas tree. And for those of us who top our Christmas trees with an angel, it is even more fitting; this tree that should be taken down tomorrow by the way. This burning bush was Trinitarian in that it was fire, remained as a continuous bush, and it had a voice, the burning bush spoke to Moses.

Angels still top our experiences today: Merry Christmas: Day 11

Messages of inclusion: we all belong to God in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas: Day 10

As a Christmas gift you are blessed, and you are called by God to be a blessing to all whom you come in contact with.  Merry Christmas: Day 9

Be you male or female, you were made as a gift to our community before you were born and so named at your own Christening. Merry Christmas: Day 8

God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

Today is the 10^th Day of Christmas

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for the Second Sunday after Christmas; January 3, 2021

AM Psalm 68: PM Psalm 72:

Genesis 28: 10 to 22: Hebrews 11: 13 to 22; John 10: 7 to 17

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”  (John 10: 16)

Our Lord Jesus proclaims that his message of salvation is for all who seek God, not just those who are in his time and space; but all people, of all times.

Part 2 of 2

Eucharistic Readings for the Second Sunday after Christmas:

Jeremiah 31:7 to 14 Psalm 84;  Ephesians 1:3 to 6 and15 to19; (and optional Gospel for Epiphany) Matthew 2:1 to 12:

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2: 1 and 2)

Whether of different sheep folds or even wise people from the east, or west, or north, or south, we are all children of God in Christ Jesus.

Messages of inclusion: we all belong to God in Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas: Day 10

As a Christmas gift you are blessed, and you are called by God to be a blessing to all whom you come in contact with.  Merry Christmas: Day 9

Be you male or female, you were made as a gift to our community before you were born and so named at your own Christening. Merry Christmas: Day 8

God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

Daily Office Readings for Saturday, January 2^nd, 2021, the 9^th Day of Christmas: Year 1

AM Psalm 34; PM Psalm 33;
Genesis 12:1 to 7; Hebrews 11:1 to 12; John 6:35 to 42 and 48-51

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12 1)

Yes, God works in mysterious ways.  Abram does not know where God is leading him, and if we follow God, neither do we. I am now planted in Hoke County, North Carolina.  It is over the mountains from Nashville, Tennessee, far to the east of where I was born and raised. God blessed Abram for faithfully following God. I believe this same God blesses all who do the same.

As a Christmas gift you are blessed, and you are called by God to be a blessing to all whom you come in contact with.  Merry Christmas: Day 9

Be you male or female, you were made as a gift to our community before you were born and so named at your own Christening. Merry Christmas: Day 8

God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

This is the Eighth Day after Christmas: Holy Name Day

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Name Day:

Exodus 34:1 to 8; Romans 1: 1 to 7; Luke 2: 15 to 21:

“After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2: 21)

I am very familiar with Luke 2: 1 to 20, in fact, I have written a poem about it, (See Christmas Eve blog of 9 days ago).  Verse 21 for today adds a whole new element.  This goes back to the Angel Gabriel’s visit with Mary 9 months ago and that she is to Name him Jesus.  This was said and done before she conceived.  The naming is from heaven, the circumcision is from tradition.

It is the same way with you and me today.  Our names are given to God in baptism and we are brought into this world because we are needed.  We might not get the same name that God wanted us to have but God will, at some point, call us each by the name prepared for us before the foundation of the world, and we will know it when we hear it, male and female alike.

 Be you male or female, you were made as a gift to our community before you were born and so named at your Christening. Merry Christmas: Day 8

God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

This is the Seventh day of Christmas

Daily Office Morning Prayer Readings for December 31: Year 1

AM Psalms 46 and 48:
Isaiah 26:1 to 9; 2^nd  Corinthians 5:16 to 6:2; John 8:12-19:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Right now we need a refuge and strength.  We need a very present help in our time of trouble.  Covid 19 has cost us dearly.  It is not just the sickness and lives lost to the Corona virus.  It is also the consequential closure of schools, and parents that have lost jobs. Some lost their jobs because their jobs required person to person service and many such jobs were shut down. Some had to quit their jobs in order to be with their home-bound children.  It’s a double and triple whammy.

This is a time we really need God. God was born among us in order to reconcile us back to God.  God was born among us to teach us how to live in loving relationship with each other.

 God was born among us to teach us how to depend on God together for help all the time, but most especially in time of human need. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

This is the Sixth Day of Christmas: 2020

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday, December 30, 2020: Year 1

AM Psalms 20 and 21:1 to 7; PM Psalms 23 and 27;

 1 Kings 17:17 to 24; Revelation 1:9 to 20; John 7:53 to 8:11;

“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”  (John 8:7 -9)

I always thought this adultery thing took two.  Where is the other party?  Perhaps this person was in the crowd, with a stone in his hand.  How sad. Jesus taught us to forgive one another.

If being forgiven is the greatest gift we can ever receive from someone, then it is also the greatest gift we can ever give to someone. Can’t find it in a store, it’s in your heart.

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

This is the Fifth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 29 (Revised from the same date for 2019)

AM Psalm 18: ,Isaiah 12:1 to 6; Revelation 1:1 to 8; John 7:37 to 52;

On this 5^th Day of Christmas our Scripture brought to us Patience for The Holy Spirit.

“Now he [Jesus] said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39 NRSV)

It often happens in the Gospel of John that the Evangelist speaks directly to the reader.  The Evangelist wants to inform, or shape, how we interpret what we read or in this case, fill in the details we might not realize.  In this case we are told of the absence of the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps the absence was only in our earthly sphere.  For we know that our Triune God has always been, and will always be in all God’s holy manifestations. In John’s Gospel chapter 15:26 we read: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. Therefore, we have never really been without the Holy Spirit.

All this leads me to share with you the basis of my own belief.  I affirm and hold as sacred our Nicene and Apostles Creeds.  But I have crafted my own words that more accurately describe what is really going on in my faith.  And while Jesus, and Mary and Pontius Pilate are not mentioned by name, Jesus is at least implied to as the Incarnate Word and my statement of faith is Trinitarian. I also borrowed and modified Paul’s words.  But here it goes: I believe in God through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word in whom we live, and move, and love, and have our being, and to whom we must give an account. So, I believe it is the Holy Spirit of Jesus that enables me to believe in God just as it is laid out in the Gospel of Matthew where it is written:  “ But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”   Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15 – 17)  Therefore our ability to believe is a gift from God. We however must have patience so as to let God in and install the “belief” program, and then use it.

Let us believe with patience and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

This is the Fourth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Innocence

Jeremiah 31:15 to 17;  Psalm 124;  Revelation 21:1 to 7;  Matthew 2:13 to 18;

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18 and Jeremiah 31:15)

This Matthew reading comes from the sadness of the atrocities of Herod in the slaughter of the innocent babies in and around Bethlehem in his effort to kill the new born King.

Reprinted from last year:

I know a Rachel who has no children and yet she is a perfect mother. She is kind and gentle, very smart and nurturing.  Children, when we are blessed with them, are a gift from God. And because they are precious in God’s sight, they should be precious in our sight as well.  After all, we are made in the Image of God.

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

Daily Office Readings for the 1^st Sunday of Christmas: Year 1

AM Psalms 93 and 96; PM ;Psalm 34
Isaiah 62:6 to 7, 10-12; Hebrews 2: 10 to 18; Matthew 1:18 to 25

Today is St John’s Day

Eucharistic Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18-23; Psalm 92; 1John 1:1 – 9: John 21: 19b – 24;

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  True, the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John, James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9) were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted.  There was also the rich young man but he declined. (Matthew 19:21)  His name could have been among the 12, He was invited but his many possessions had control of him.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 – 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing, and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John