Reflections for

First Sunday after Christmas, Dec 29, 2013

Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23

American Soundings

In praise of snow

Feb 28, 2012 by Rodney Clapp

Snow can be tiresome, even deadly, but it can also be a sign of holiness and of hope.

Blogging Toward Sunday

No messenger or angel

Isaiah 63:7-9; Matthew 2:13-23

Dec 22, 2010 by Katherine Willis Pershey

There's an interesting variation between the New International and New Revised Standard versions of Isaiah 63:9. The NIV expresses quite beautifully that "the angel of his presence saved them," while the NRSV contends that "it was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them." Both convey Isaiah's revelation that God does not plan to redeem creation by force, by tinkering with free will, or from afar. God redeems creation by becoming one of us, by drawing near to us and being with us.

Living by the Word

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Matthew 2:13–23

Dec 14, 2010 by Fred Craddock

Today is December 26. It is still Christmas and it will be until January 6. My mother did not think so. On the evening of December 25 she tossed the tree, put away the decorations, fed the family the leftovers and announced it was 365 days until Christmas. For her the Depression stole Christmas, widening the gulf between those who have and those who do not.

Poetry

Rest on the flight into Egypt

Dec 29, 2009 by Charles P.R. Tisdale

One day thought’s Gethsemane
Like some personal handicap
Or guilt, will venerate the image
Of its last nativity, will fold
Its wings away and say,
“The bird of doubt has gone today.”

And all the “how could I be
So stupid” habit of the soul
Will harden to a pigment
Like raven’s feathers, painted
And set on an ancient canvas,
Giving up its foreground
To a moment’s peace in that journey
Of escape from Bethlehem of birth.

Just as in David’s “Rest on the Flight
Into Egypt,” an angel having whispered
Of slaughter, “You must leave, Joseph,”
He, knocking walnuts from the tree,
The donkey munching quietly some hay,
His son reaching up for grapes,
A young child’s suffering at play,
Not thinking yet, “I must, they say.”

And Mary, seated on a rock,
After long labor, serene as
Nazareth, building her pyramid.

Blogging Toward Sunday

Out of Egypt

Matthew 2:13-23

Dec 26, 2007 by Erin Martin

Time is being stretched in the gospel narrative. With several allusions to the wise men, we look forward to next Sunday’s celebration of Epiphany. With the several allusions to the Exodus we also look back to the Israelites held in bondage in Egypt. With the future, the present and the past seemingly all at hand, how do we draw out for our congregations a message from the manger?

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Revised Common Lectionary © 1992 the Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission.