A Weighty Responsibility
Read Luke 1:45-56 Mary’s song—also called the Magnificat—is one of three hymns recorded in Luke 1-2 that declare the covenant faithfulness of God. Zechariah prophesies about God’s salvation after John the Baptist...
Obedience, Acceptance, and Awe
Read Luke 1:26-38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Ireneaus, one of the most significant theologians from the second century after Christ,...
Facing the Unknown
Read Matthew 1:1-17 My dad would have been 58 this year. I was reminded of this by my Swedish grandmother, Mor Mor. Not that I needed the reminder, but I did enjoy...
Worship Experience Response: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Worship Experience Response: Mary Today is the final Sunday of Advent! Our season of waiting is just about over! Mary and Joseph draw close to Bethlehem, and in our readings, we focus...
Week 3 Family Talk
Week 3 Family Talk: Joseph If you have ever seen a live play, you know that there’s something magical that happens between acts. The stage curtains open, and suddenly, the audience is transported to...
Obedience in Action
Read Matthew 2:13-22 I love the perspective we get in Matthew’s gospel on Jesus’ extraordinary birth. Luke gives us Mary’s point of view in his gospel, but Matthew gives us Joseph’s. We...
Joseph, Husband of Mary
Read Luke 2:21-33; 39-40 When I think of Joseph, I have to admit that, at first, he seems a small part of the BIG story. There aren’t many songs sung about him during Advent,...
A Faithful Father
Read Luke 2:1-7 Luke 2:1-7 is my favorite Christmas story. We used to read it to our kids each year on Christmas morning, before we went downstairs to open our gifts. The...
Do Not Be Afraid
Read Matthew 1:18-25 Have you ever faced a daunting life decision that entirely consumes your waking and sleeping thoughts? When we can’t seem to figure it out, we look toward heaven and...
Joseph’s Humble Obedience
Read Matthew 1:1-17 At first glance, Matthew 1:1-17 feels like an endless list of names. However, this passage is steeped in God’s fulfilled promise woven throughout generations. In Matthew, we see a...