{ The First Half of The Church Calendar }

ADVENT ~ Week 1

The First Sunday After The

January 7, 2018

a moment of suddenrevelation of insight;the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12)

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O God of light and peace, whose glory, shining in the child of Bethlehem, still draws the nations to yourself: dispel the darkness that shrouds our path, that we may come to kneel before Christ in true worship, offer him our hearts and souls, and return from his presence to live as he has taught. Amen.

A Prayer For The Epiphany

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QUESTION:Why was JESUS baptized by JOHN in the JORDAN River?(Matthew 3:13-17)

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

1. We should see Jesus’ submission to John’s baptism as, in part, an embodied expression of God’s covenant faithfulness to Israelin particular, and of Israel’s (and humanity’s) long-intended (yet-only-now-fully-realized) covenant faithfulness to God THROUGH Jesus himself.

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

2. We should see the blatant allusion to Israel’s shared corporate history, as Jesus embodies God’s faithfulness to them in the exodus from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the eventual crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

3. We should see Jesus taking Israel’s place, sharing their penitence, living their life, and ultimately dying their death” thereby foreshadowing:(1) the victorious pattern of his own death, burial, and resurrection, and (2) that same pattern which God’s people (INCLUDING US) will be called to emulate…” (N.T. Wright)

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

4. We should see God using this opportunity to pour out the Father’s heart of approval on the “beloved son,” affirming Jesus’ own sense of identity, and bolstering his spirit with much needed encouragement before his desert trial(AND be encouraged in the knowledge thatwhat God says to Jesus GOD SAYS TO YOU too!)

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

5. We should see that what Jesus did for ISRAEL he does for HUMANITY as a whole, INCLUDING YOU! He lives your life, undergoes your baptism, dies your death, carries you into God’s presence, and promises to return again as the risen, ascended, victorious Lord, all of which reveals that God WAS good, God IS good, and God will RETURN as Good…so why not trust God NOW?

Five Reflections on the Baptism of Jesus

God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous. As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer In Light of Jesus’ Baptism

ADVENT ~ Week 1

The First Sunday After The

January 7, 2018

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12