onewhoponders

This is the Ninth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84; Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a; Matthew 2:13-15,19-23; or Luke 2:41-52; or Matthew 2:1-12

“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)

We have many selections to choose from today. My prayers have led me to again speak of the Magi, who follow a bright star that led them to the place where the King of Peace was born.

They bring gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh, (perhaps this is what makes us think there are 3). These are earthly elements for one who has a designated star, an element of the cosmos. The wise followers gave up any thought of ethnic pride being from some eastern kingdom. They recognized that God was doing something special for humanity through the Jewish people and they were glad to pay homage and have hope for the world.

I pray that we too may come to the realization that we should not have any pride in our so-called racial make-up, but be happy and thankful for being children of God. 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

This is the Eighth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Name Day: January 1

Morning, Psalm 103; Evening, Psalm 148;
Isaiah 62:1 to 5 and 10 to 12; Revelation 19:11 to 16; Matthew 1:18 to 25:

“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 20 and 21)

The angel reminded Joseph that God’s plan was not about him or the Hebrew marital traditions. It was about God making a way to save us from our sins; not AIDs, or human violence, or Covid or cancer, or natural disasters; but from our own sins. And he was told to name the gifted child “Jesus.”

We are only gifts if we are gifted, that is, Christened and made use of by God in community. May your own Christened name be blessed forever.  Merry Christmas; Day 8

So too may we be granted understanding that enables us to live loving lives void of negativity towards others. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Prayer, with forgiveness, is the greatest of gifts we can ever give to anyone, for Christmas, or anytime. Jesus is everywhere.  Merry Christmas: Day 6

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Today is the Seventh Day of Christmas and the start of our Sabbath Day.

Morning Prayer Readings for December 31^st: Year 2

 Psalm 46 and 48;
1^st Kings 3:5 to 14; James 4:13 to 17 and  5:7 to 11; John 5:1 to 15:

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.” (1^st Kings 3: 10)

The new young king Solomon prayed to God for the understanding necessary to lead God’s people. God was pleased that Solomon did not ask for riches or for harm to his enemies. At this point in his life Solomon was genuine about wanting to do the right thing.

So too may we be granted understanding that enables us to live loving lives void of negativity towards others. Merry Christmas: Day 7

Prayer, with forgiveness, is the greatest of gifts we can ever give to anyone, for Christmas, or anytime. Jesus is everywhere.  Merry Christmas: Day 6

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are 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

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

This is the Sixth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 30^th: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 20 and 21:1to 7; Evening, Psalm 23 and  27;

1^st Kings 17:17 to 24; 3^rd Letter of John 1 to 15; John 4:46 to 54:

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” (John 4:50)

Going to our Lord Jesus is the most powerful act we can perform for someone. It is more important than money. The Scripture in today’s Gospel reading says that the man believed and started back home. However, he did inquire about the time the boy was healed, and scripture says he believed (again).   Regardless of when he really believed, he obeyed Jesus and started for home.  Jesus is everywhere. He didn’t have to be standing above the child to heal him. He healed him across space and time. Our Lord Jesus is still doing this today for those who ask, across time and space.

Prayer, with forgiveness, is the greatest of gifts we can ever give to anyone, for Christmas, or anytime. Jesus is everywhere.  Merry Christmas: Day 6

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

This is the 5th Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 29: Year 2:

Morning, Psalm 18: 1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18: 21 to 50:

2^nd Samuel 23: 13 to 17; 2^nd John 1 to 13; John 2:1 to 11:

“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

I agree with the Late Verna Dozier in her book, “The Dream of God,” that we, as Christians should be more concerned with following (obeying), our Lord Jesus than worshiping him. I also hold these words of the Mother of Jesus as one of two most powerful (although shortest), sermons in the Christian Testament; “Do whatever he tells you.” She is talking to the servants. Jesus gives them instructions about what to do, and they do it. Jesus also gives us, his servants, instructions about what we are to do. Will we do them?

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering 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.”  (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18)

(Edited and republished from December28, 2019)

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 should all be Rachel; we should all be Saint Nicolas (Santa Claus). The first Herod who ruled Judah around the birth of our Lord Jesus was not great; he was an evil monster and baby killer as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. He felt threatened by a New Born King.  This is sad.

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

This is the Third Day of Christmas

Eucharist Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18 to 23; Psalm 92; 1^st John 1:1  to  9: John 21: 19 to  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)

(Edited and republished from December 27, 2019)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  Oh the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John and 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 the invitation of our Lord. (Matthew 19:21)  His name could have been among the 12 (or five), He was invited but his many possessions had control of him. There is a lesson in this for you and me.

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 to 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine revelation and 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

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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

This is the Second Day of Christmas 2021

Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 61:10 to 62:3;   Psalm 147;  Galatians 3:23 to 25 and 4:4 to 7; John 1:1 to18:

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

(Edited and republished from Sunday, December 29, 2019)

That’s what I want to be, “Child of God.”  I believe I am a child of God 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 and that Santa Claus still lives. Such a place also includes Saints John (both the Baptist and the Evangelist), Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saints Mary, (mother of Jesus), and Mary Magdalene, (servant of our Lord), and many other saints who have gone before.  I too am a servant of our Lord.  The power of faith or belief is a Christmas gift from God. Thank You Lord Jesus.

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe in God. All Christians should live into what we believe about the love of God.   Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does with 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

Eucharistic Readings for Christmas Day

Isaiah 9:2 to 7;  Psalm 96;  Titus 2:11 to 14; Luke 2:1-20:

“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)

(Edited and republished from Christmas Day of 2019)  

No room at the inn, BALDERDASH!  I would like to think that you or I would have given up our room for a pregnant woman, any pregnant woman or at least shared it, if we only knew about her.  We are not unique in this regard.  There have always been compassionate people like us in the world.  But we have to know about the need of 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 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 on the part of management. 

Jesus is born in Bethlehem at the corner of Ignorance and Inconsiderate. 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 good teaching and preaching.  That is what Jesus came to do, to inform the ignorant among us. This has always benefited and changed 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 compassionate through being informed and taught, and was brought out of his darkness.

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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Today is Christmas Eve!  So I have decided (as is my custom) to break from the normal readings in order to 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

As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John