Author: John Thomas Frazier

This is the Ninth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for Thursday following the First Sunday after Christmas: Year 2

AM Psalm 34; PM Psalm 33  1 Kings 19:  -8; Eph. 4:1-16;   John 6:1-14

“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.”  (Ephesians 4:11)

So, there are four gifts, not five as some readers might assume.  There were no punctuation marks in the original biblical Greek and these gifts were separated by words like, “some.”  The Message Bible really validates my point as it translates this Ephesians 4:11 as “He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher” So, you see, the pastor-teacher gift is one gift. This pastor-teacher gift is the gift that I believe I received.  Christmas is a time of gift-giving and receiving.  What did you get?  Open yourself up and see.

I pray that you may use your God-given gifts to the best of your ability and to our well being. Merry Christmas: Day 9

May your Christened name be blessed forever.  Merry Christmas; Day 8

We thank you Lord Jesus for being born like us, for us, and saving us.  Merry Christmas: Day 7

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. Merry Christmas: Day 6

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe. All Christians need to live into what we believe.  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 of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Name Day: January 1

Numbers 6:22-27   Psalm 8  Galatians 4:4-7or Philippians 2:5-11   Luke 2:15-21

“And he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of us were not only wanted, but so desired that our names were scrutinized over well before we were even conceived?  So then, we too are named at our Baptisms, and consecrated oil seals us by the power of Holy Spirit and marks us as Christ’s own forever.  Thank you Lord Jesus.

May your Christened name be blessed forever.  Merry Christmas; Day 8

We thank you Lord Jesus for being born like us, for us, and saving us.  Merry Christmas: Day 7

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. Merry Christmas: Day 6

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe. All Christians need to live into what we believe.  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 Readings after the First Sunday of Christmas: Year 2

AM Psalm 93, 96; PM Psalm 34 1 Samuel 1:1-2,7b-28; Heb 2: 10-18; Matt. 1:18-25

“Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18) 

This Hebrews reading (Heb 2:10–18) explains the heart and soul of Christianity. It speaks of our Great High Priest who knows firsthand what it’s like to be human in order that God may know also.  Thus the Creator becomes part of the created and dwells with us in mercy.

We thank you Lord Jesus for being born like us, for us, and saving us.  Merry Christmas: Day 7

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. Merry Christmas: Day 6

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe. All Christians need to live into what we believe.  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

Daily Office Readings following the First Sunday of Christmas Year 2

AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 23, 27 1 Kings 17:17-24; Rev. 1:9-20; John 7:53-8:11

“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 person?  Perhaps this person was in the crowd, with a stone in his hand.  How sad. Jesus teaches 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. Merry Christmas: Day 6

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe. All Christians need to live into what we believe.  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

Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 61:10-62:3   Psalm 147 or 147:13-21  Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 John 1:1-18

“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12)

That’s what I want to be, “Child of God.”  I believe I am already.  I just don’t think I fully understand the power of believing. I believe not just in God but also in God’s heavenly realm where saints dwell in light everlasting. Such a place includes Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.  Therefore, I believe in Santa Claus.   Thank You Lord Jesus.

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe. All Christians need to live into what we believe.  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 Fourth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Innocence

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

“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)

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

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 Third Day of Christmas

Eucharist 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 the five Apostles that the Gospel shows evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  Oh the Gospels say 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 told “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 and wouldn’t let him follow.

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 works, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus are God’s doing. Thank You Lord Jesus.

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 Second Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for St. Stephens

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15  Psalm 31 or 31:1-5  Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60  Matthew 23:34-39

“Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:60)

As a priest, and still considered a servant of our Lord Jesus, I am not in total agreement with how our first deacons were formed.  As I understand it deacons were formed in order to excuse priests from the responsibility of feeding those who were hungry, (Acts 6) which is what Jesus did at every opportunity he found. In fact he said to the apostles, “You feed them.”  (Matthew 14:16)  However, more than that, and in keeping with today’s focus, Deacon Stephen’s devotion to God through Jesus is most remarkable.

Stephen knows his faith history and relates it to those who falsely judge him.  He has every right to be angry about how they are treating him, however he lets love prevail. Psalm 31:13 – 16 may hold comforting words for Stephen and for all of us who are held in contempt.  For it reads:

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.” (Psalm 31:13 -16)

I believe Stephen was saved, not from mortal death but form eternal death. And as he goes, he shares with us a very important lesson.

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 First Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for  Christmas Day

Isaiah 9:2-7  Psalm 96  Titus 2:11-14   Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6 – 7)  

No room at the inn, BALDERDASH! You or I would have given up our room for a pregnant woman, any pregnant woman, if we only knew about her.  We are not new or unique.  There have always been soft hearted, compassionate people like us in the world.  But we have to know about the pregnant woman.  No, I think this lack of compassion rests clearly on the managers of the inn.  They didn’t want to upset the guests, the paying guests. This lack of compassion is more accurately termed “inconsiderate.”

There would have been room in the inn for Herod; there would have been room for Caesar, today there would be room for the Governor, there would be room for the President.  But there was a lack of compassion for this pregnant girl.  This lack of compassion is more accurately termed “inconsiderate.” And it is to being inconsiderate that I say Bah Humbug!

Jesus is born in Bethlehem at the corner of Ignorance and Inconsiderate streets. In Dickens “A Christmas Carol” the ghost of Christmas present shows two children whose names are “Ignorance” and “Want.”  The ghost additionally says; “beware of them both but more especially of Ignorance.”  I’m thinking ignorance can be fixed with some teaching and preaching.  That is what Jesus came to do, to inform the ignorant among us. This has always included me.

Do you think that when ignorance is informed, such a one will become more considerate?  There are some examples in the life of Jesus.  In chapter 3 of the Gospel of John Jesus meets Nicodemus in darkness (pun intended) and explains how one must be born again from above to be saved. Later, in chapter 19 of the same Gospel, after Jesus has died and was taken down from the cross, Nicodemus brings fragrances to anoint the body.  He changed from being inconsiderate to being very considerate through being informed and taught and brought out of his darkness.

This baby Jesus born this day teaches us and brings us out of our darkness also. Our Lord Jesus informs us so that we may be open to those who need our help or our room in the inn. In this way we ourselves are saved.  Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of our Lord Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas to all.

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 Christmas Eve!  So I have decided to break from the normal readings in order to once again share my poem written in 2006.  Enjoy:

The First Night Before Christmas

It was me and my buddies out watching our sheep,

The night was quiet, not one of them bleeped.

It was so quiet in fact, we were about to sleep,

When we noticed someone out by the sheep.

Then all at once it became very clear,

No ordinary person was visiting us here.

We were all afraid, but he said “Fear Not.”

And then there were more, and their numbers wouldn’t stop.

He said go to Bethlehem and see the Baby,

He is the Word of God, there is no maybe.

He said the baby’s in Bethlehem, lying in a manger,

He can save you all, from permanent danger.

Then they all left, praising God for this birth,

Just like they came, they were all gone from the earth.

Then I and my friends said, let’s go if we’re able,

To Bethlehem there, and straight to the stable.

And there we were on a cold winter’s night,

We saw Mary, Joseph and Baby, what a sight!

We told them everything right from the start,

But Mary just smiled, kept our words in her heart.

So we left there then in the thick of the night,

Asking you to thank God with all of your might.

Luke 2: 8 – 20

The Reverend John Thomas Frazier 2006

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