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Today’s Reflection:
Today’s Reflection:
MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT fall upon you. Like a falling star, trailing across the dawns and dusks of your Advent living, may the Spirit mark you with light and point the way toward God-With-Us. Be patient, draw close, for the Lord is very near. Amen.[Pamela C. Hawkins, Simply Wait]
From page 67 of Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins. Copyright © 2007 by Pamela C. Hawkins. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT fall upon you. Like a falling star, trailing across the dawns and dusks of your Advent living, may the Spirit mark you with light and point the way toward God-With-Us. Be patient, draw close, for the Lord is very near. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
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, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers
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From page 67 of Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent by Pamela C. Hawkins. Copyright © 2007 by Pamela C. Hawkins. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT fall upon you. Like a falling star, trailing across the dawns and dusks of your Advent living, may the Spirit mark you with light and point the way toward God-With-Us. Be patient, draw close, for the Lord is very near. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
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, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers
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Today’s Reflection:
OUR HEARTS – our spirits – wait for the coming of the Christ child. We have worked hard during this Advent season to listen to God’s voice, to turn over our fears and worries, to make a place in all the chaos to be able to welcome God into our lives and hearts.
During these last days of Advent, we continue to wait. May these final days include times of quiet.
Open wide the door to our hearts. Let there be spaces, silences, and open places. Let us give ourselves the gift of time.[Beth A. Richardson, Child of the Light]
From page 75 of Child of the Light: Walking Through Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2005 by Beth A. Richardson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Make time to meditate on the coming of Christ today.
Today’s Scripture:
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.[Titus 2:14, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
Today’s Reflection:
OUR HEARTS – our spirits – wait for the coming of the Christ child. We have worked hard during this Advent season to listen to God’s voice, to turn over our fears and worries, to make a place in all the chaos to be able to welcome God into our lives and hearts.
During these last days of Advent, we continue to wait. May these final days include times of quiet.
Open wide the door to our hearts. Let there be spaces, silences, and open places. Let us give ourselves the gift of time.[Beth A. Richardson, Child of the Light]
From page 75 of Child of the Light: Walking Through Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2005 by Beth A. Richardson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Make time to meditate on the coming of Christ today.
Today’s Scripture:
He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.[Titus 2:14, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
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Today’s Reflection:
WE TRUST GOD’S PROMISES
of righteousness, justice, and peace
for our hurting world
and our discouraged spirits.
We live in the hope
that despite our struggles,
God has something good in store for us.[Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart]
From The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2009 by Upper Room Books. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
What hinders you from putting your trust in God?
Today’s Scripture:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all….[Titus 2:11, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
Today’s Reflection:
WE TRUST GOD’S PROMISES
of righteousness, justice, and peace
for our hurting world
and our discouraged spirits.
We live in the hope
that despite our struggles,
God has something good in store for us.[Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart]
From The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2009 by Upper Room Books. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
What hinders you from putting your trust in God?
Today’s Scripture:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all….[Titus 2:11, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
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Today’s Reflection:
IN THE FAMILY OF GOD, our responsibility to each other extends beyond race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and sexual orientation. When persons are in need, we all bear a familial responsibility to be present. It might take us some time to discern to whom and how God invites us to be present with our unique gifts and circumstances. Where there is economic poverty, we are called to recognize our siblings among the poor. Where there is social and political injustice, we are called to recognize our siblings among those who bear the brunt of injustice.
As God is often made manifest to us through the people we encounter, we need not be surprised if part of the invitation of waiting in Advent involves inquiring of God how we might be channels of love and even answers to the prayers of those who wait for restoration of body, mind, and spirit.[Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent]
From page 88 of Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro. Copyright © 2012 by Enuma Okoro. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How is your faith compelling you to act for justice in the world?
Today’s Scripture:
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.[Psalm 96:1-2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
Today’s Reflection:
IN THE FAMILY OF GOD, our responsibility to each other extends beyond race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, and sexual orientation. When persons are in need, we all bear a familial responsibility to be present. It might take us some time to discern to whom and how God invites us to be present with our unique gifts and circumstances. Where there is economic poverty, we are called to recognize our siblings among the poor. Where there is social and political injustice, we are called to recognize our siblings among those who bear the brunt of injustice.
As God is often made manifest to us through the people we encounter, we need not be surprised if part of the invitation of waiting in Advent involves inquiring of God how we might be channels of love and even answers to the prayers of those who wait for restoration of body, mind, and spirit.[Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent]
From page 88 of Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro. Copyright © 2012 by Enuma Okoro. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How is your faith compelling you to act for justice in the world?
Today’s Scripture:
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.[Psalm 96:1-2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
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Today’s Reflection:
[This may be prayed responsively, with a leader reading the lines in regular type and a group reading the lines in bold type.]
Lord from the beginning of time, light made the difference.
Let your light shine upon us, Lord.
You introduced light by your command and dispelled darkness.
Dispel our darkness, Lord.
Your light is a gift to the world and an answer to our prayer.
May we receive your gift, O Lord.
We come in our darkness, and prefer to remain hidden.
Shine your light upon us, Lord.
Remove our stubborn wills and penetrate our darkness.
Come into our lives with light, Lord.
Let our lives be gifts to you and brightness to others.
Make us shine with your light, Lord.
Fill this place with light eternal.
We will shine for you, Lord. Amen.[T. Anne Daniel., The Africana Worship Book: Year C]
Prayer by T. Anne Daniel. From page 61 of The Africana Worship Book: Year C, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © by Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. [This may be prayed responsively, with a leader reading the lines in regular type and a group reading the lines in bold type.]
Lord from the beginning of time, light made the difference.
Let your light shine upon us, Lord.
You introduced light by your command and dispelled darkness.
Dispel our darkness, Lord.
Your light is a gift to the world and an answer to our prayer.
May we receive your gift, O Lord.
We come in our darkness, and prefer to remain hidden.
Shine your light upon us, Lord.
Remove our stubborn wills and penetrate our darkness.
Come into our lives with light, Lord.
Let our lives be gifts to you and brightness to others.
Make us shine with your light, Lord.
Fill this place with light eternal.
We will shine for you, Lord. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.[Isaiah 9:6, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
Today’s Reflection:
[This may be prayed responsively, with a leader reading the lines in regular type and a group reading the lines in bold type.]
Lord from the beginning of time, light made the difference.
Let your light shine upon us, Lord.
You introduced light by your command and dispelled darkness.
Dispel our darkness, Lord.
Your light is a gift to the world and an answer to our prayer.
May we receive your gift, O Lord.
We come in our darkness, and prefer to remain hidden.
Shine your light upon us, Lord.
Remove our stubborn wills and penetrate our darkness.
Come into our lives with light, Lord.
Let our lives be gifts to you and brightness to others.
Make us shine with your light, Lord.
Fill this place with light eternal.
We will shine for you, Lord. Amen.[T. Anne Daniel., The Africana Worship Book: Year C]
Prayer by T. Anne Daniel. From page 61 of The Africana Worship Book: Year C, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © by Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. [This may be prayed responsively, with a leader reading the lines in regular type and a group reading the lines in bold type.]
Lord from the beginning of time, light made the difference.
Let your light shine upon us, Lord.
You introduced light by your command and dispelled darkness.
Dispel our darkness, Lord.
Your light is a gift to the world and an answer to our prayer.
May we receive your gift, O Lord.
We come in our darkness, and prefer to remain hidden.
Shine your light upon us, Lord.
Remove our stubborn wills and penetrate our darkness.
Come into our lives with light, Lord.
Let our lives be gifts to you and brightness to others.
Make us shine with your light, Lord.
Fill this place with light eternal.
We will shine for you, Lord. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.[Isaiah 9:6, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
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Today’s Reflection:
THE GOOD NEWS of Jesus’ birth comes first to the shepherds, humble and hardworking people, tending to their flock by night. God knew these men could not bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as the wise men who would arrive later.
Emmanuel, “God with us,” came among us in a manger where all could come and kneel to worship him. There were no barriers of dress code, entrance fees, or guards at the door. From his first breath, God was available to all.[Meeting the Messiah, Meeting the Messiah]
From page 55 of Meeting the Messiah: Scriptures for the Advent Season, introduced and compiled by Kara Lassen Oliver. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where do you see barriers for people who seek God?
Today’s Scripture:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.[Isaiah 9:2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
Today’s Reflection:
THE GOOD NEWS of Jesus’ birth comes first to the shepherds, humble and hardworking people, tending to their flock by night. God knew these men could not bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as the wise men who would arrive later.
Emmanuel, “God with us,” came among us in a manger where all could come and kneel to worship him. There were no barriers of dress code, entrance fees, or guards at the door. From his first breath, God was available to all.[Meeting the Messiah, Meeting the Messiah]
From page 55 of Meeting the Messiah: Scriptures for the Advent Season, introduced and compiled by Kara Lassen Oliver. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where do you see barriers for people who seek God?
Today’s Scripture:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.[Isaiah 9:2, NRSV]
This Week: pray for travelers.
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Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
-------In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Peter Casinius (December 21).
Peter CasiniusDecember 21
Peter Canisius was born in 1521 in what is now Holland. Soon after he finished studies at the University of Cologne, Canisius met Peter Faber, a disciple of Ignatius Loyola, because of whose influence Canisius himself joined the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits.
Peter Canisius was ordained in 1546. He began writing theological works and church history, founded colleges, and was a delegate to several sessions of the Council of Trent. Canisius lived soon after the Protestant Reformation and was skilled at being true to the Catholic faith while not attacking those with different beliefs. As a Jesuit, he wanted to live with charity toward all people. He was respected by both Protestants and Catholics and gained a reputation as a reconciler.
Canisius published a Catechism that explained Catholic faith in easily understandable language; this work was translated into fifteen languages. Canisius also wrote a catechism for children and youth. He was known as an able preacher and teacher.
Peter Canisius died in 1597. He is known as the Second Apostle of Germany.
If Peter Canisius had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Sage. Peter Canisius is remembered on December 21.
The image is a 1699 miniature portrait of Peter Canisius.
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Lectionary Readings(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-20
Scripture Text: Isaiah 9:2 (3) You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice in your presence
as if rejoicing at harvest time,
the way men rejoice
when dividing up the spoil.
3 (4) For the yoke that weighed them down,
the bar across their shoulders,
and their driver’s goad
you have broken as on the day of Midyan[’s defeat].
4 (5) For all the boots of soldiers marching
and every cloak rolled in blood
is destined for burning,
fuel for the fire.
5 (6) For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us;
dominion will rest on his shoulders,
and he will be given the name
Pele-Yo‘etz El Gibbor
Avi-‘Ad Sar-Shalom
[Wonder of a Counselor, Mighty God,
Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace],
6 (7) in order to extend the dominion
and perpetuate the peace
of the throne and kingdom of David,
to secure it and sustain it
through justice and righteousness
henceforth and forever.
The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot
will accomplish this.
7 (8) Adonai sent a word to Ya‘akov,
and it has fallen on Isra’el.
Psalm 96:1 Sing to Adonai a new song!
Sing to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Sing to Adonai, bless his name!
Proclaim his victory day after day!
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his wonders among all peoples!
4 For Adonai is great, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared more than all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but Adonai made the heavens.
6 In his presence are honor and majesty;
in his sanctuary, strength and splendor.
7 Give Adonai his due, you families from the peoples;
give Adonai his due of glory and strength;
8 give Adonai the glory due to his name;
bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.
9 Worship Adonai in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “Adonai is king!”
The world is firmly established, immovable.
He will judge the peoples fairly.
11 Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad;
let the sea roar, and everything in it;
12 let the fields exult and all that is in them.
Then all the trees in the forest will sing
13 before Adonai, because he has come,
he has come to judge the earth;
he will judge the world rightly
and the peoples with his faithfulness.
Titus 2:11 For God’s grace, which brings deliverance, has appeared to all people. 12 It teaches us to renounce godlessness and worldly pleasures, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives now, in this age; 13 while continuing to expect the blessed fulfillment of our certain hope, which is the appearing of the Sh’khinah of our great God and the appearing of our Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah. 14 He gave himself up on our behalf in order to free us from all violation of Torah and purify for himself a people who would be his own, eager to do good.
Luke 2:1 Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This registration, the first of its kind, took place when Quirinius was governing in Syria. 3 Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 So Yosef, because he was a descendant of David, went up from the town of Natzeret in the Galil to the town of David, called Beit-Lechem, in Y’hudah, 5 to be registered, with Miryam, to whom he was engaged, and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; 7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough, because there was no space for them in the living-quarters.
8 In the countryside nearby were some shepherds spending the night in the fields, guarding their flocks, 9 when an angel of Adonai appeared to them, and the Sh’khinah of Adonai shone around them. They were terrified; 10 but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am here announcing to you Good News that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 This very day, in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, along with the angel was a vast army from heaven praising God:
14 “In the highest heaven, glory to God!
And on earth, peace among people of good will!”
15 No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that Adonai has told us about.” 16 Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 17 Upon seeing this, they made known what they had been told about this child; 18 and all who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them. 19 Miryam treasured all these things and kept mulling them over in her heart. 20 Meanwhile, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen; it had been just as they had been told.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Isaiah 9:2-7
Verse 2
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The people — Israel and Judah.
Darkness — The expression is general and so may well comprehend both calamity and ignorance, idolatry and profaneness, in which those parts were eminently involved.
Have seen — Shall see at the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 3
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Thou hast — Thou hast made good thy promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, by gathering in the Gentiles to the Jews.
Before thee — In thy presence, and in the place of thy worship.
Verse 4
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The yoke — His burdensome yoke.
The staff — The staff or staves by which he was forced to carry burdens upon his shoulders.
The rod — Wherewith he beat him.
Oppressor — Of all his oppressors, but especially of sin and the devil.
As — When God destroyed the Midianites in so admirable a manner by three hundred men.
Verse 5
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Noise — With the triumphant exclamations of the conqueror, and the bitter lamentations of the conquered, and the different cries of the same persons, sometimes conquering, and sometimes conquered.
Blood — With great difficulty and slaughter.
But — But this victory which God's people shall have over all their enemies, shall be more terrible to their adversaries, whom God will utterly consume, as it were by fire.
Verse 6
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
For — Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God's people, he now proceeds to shew the ground of it.
Us — Unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent.
A child — The Messiah by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish: for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the latter Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah. Which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation in this or any other text of scripture, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see.
Is born — Or, shall be born, as the prophets generally speak.
The government — Of God's people, to whom he is given.
Shoulders — Upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men's shoulders.
His name — This is not to be taken for a description of his name, but of his glorious nature and qualities.
Wonderful counsellor — And so Christ is, because he hath been the counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, and hath gathered and enlarged, and preserved his church, by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.
Mighty God — This title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament. And it is a true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the almighty God.
The father — The father of eternity. Who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting.
Verse 7
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
No end — His peaceable and happy government shall be extended to all the ends of the earth.
The throne — Which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever.
For ever — From the beginning of it to all eternity.
The zeal — This great work shall be brought to pass by almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own glory, to the honour of his son, and to his people.
Psalm 96
(Read all of Psalm 96)
Verse 1
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
O sing — Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 4
[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Gods — The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.
Verse 6
[6] Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Before him — In his presence.
Verse 9
[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Beauty — Cloathed with all the gifts and graces, which are necessary in God's worship.
Verse 10
[10] Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Reigneth — God hath now set up his kingdom in the world.
Established — The nations of the world shall by the means of it enjoy an established and lasting peace.
Verse 13
[13] Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Before — At the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker.
Cometh — To set up his throne among all the nations of the earth.
Titus 2:11-14
Verse 11
[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The saving grace of God — So it is in its nature, tendency, and design.
Hath appeared to all men — High and low.
Verse 12
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Instructing us — All who do not reject it.
That, having renounced ungodliness — Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God.
And worldly desires — Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness.
We should live soberly — In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.
And righteously — Doing to all as we would they should do to us.
And godly — As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life.
Verse 13
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Looking — With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for.
Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ — So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one.
Verse 14
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who gave himself for us — To die in our stead.
That he might redeem us — Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Verse 2
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The people — Israel and Judah.
Darkness — The expression is general and so may well comprehend both calamity and ignorance, idolatry and profaneness, in which those parts were eminently involved.
Have seen — Shall see at the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 3
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Thou hast — Thou hast made good thy promise to Abraham concerning the multiplication of his seed, by gathering in the Gentiles to the Jews.
Before thee — In thy presence, and in the place of thy worship.
Verse 4
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The yoke — His burdensome yoke.
The staff — The staff or staves by which he was forced to carry burdens upon his shoulders.
The rod — Wherewith he beat him.
Oppressor — Of all his oppressors, but especially of sin and the devil.
As — When God destroyed the Midianites in so admirable a manner by three hundred men.
Verse 5
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Noise — With the triumphant exclamations of the conqueror, and the bitter lamentations of the conquered, and the different cries of the same persons, sometimes conquering, and sometimes conquered.
Blood — With great difficulty and slaughter.
But — But this victory which God's people shall have over all their enemies, shall be more terrible to their adversaries, whom God will utterly consume, as it were by fire.
Verse 6
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
For — Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God's people, he now proceeds to shew the ground of it.
Us — Unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent.
A child — The Messiah by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish: for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the latter Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah. Which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation in this or any other text of scripture, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see.
Is born — Or, shall be born, as the prophets generally speak.
The government — Of God's people, to whom he is given.
Shoulders — Upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men's shoulders.
His name — This is not to be taken for a description of his name, but of his glorious nature and qualities.
Wonderful counsellor — And so Christ is, because he hath been the counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, and hath gathered and enlarged, and preserved his church, by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.
Mighty God — This title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament. And it is a true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the almighty God.
The father — The father of eternity. Who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting.
Verse 7
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
No end — His peaceable and happy government shall be extended to all the ends of the earth.
The throne — Which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever.
For ever — From the beginning of it to all eternity.
The zeal — This great work shall be brought to pass by almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own glory, to the honour of his son, and to his people.
Psalm 96
(Read all of Psalm 96)
Verse 1
[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
O sing — Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah.
Verse 4
[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Gods — The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.
Verse 6
[6] Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Before him — In his presence.
Verse 9
[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Beauty — Cloathed with all the gifts and graces, which are necessary in God's worship.
Verse 10
[10] Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Reigneth — God hath now set up his kingdom in the world.
Established — The nations of the world shall by the means of it enjoy an established and lasting peace.
Verse 13
[13] Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Before — At the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker.
Cometh — To set up his throne among all the nations of the earth.
Titus 2:11-14
Verse 11
[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
The saving grace of God — So it is in its nature, tendency, and design.
Hath appeared to all men — High and low.
Verse 12
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Instructing us — All who do not reject it.
That, having renounced ungodliness — Whatever is contrary to the fear and love of God.
And worldly desires — Which are opposite to sobriety and righteousness.
We should live soberly — In all purity and holiness. Sobriety, in the scripture sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections.
And righteously — Doing to all as we would they should do to us.
And godly — As those who are consecrated to God both in heart and life.
Verse 13
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Looking — With eager desire. For that glorious appearing - Which we hope for.
Of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ — So that, if there be (according to the Arian scheme) a great God and a little God, Christ is not the little God, but the great one.
Verse 14
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Who gave himself for us — To die in our stead.
That he might redeem us — Miserable bondslaves, as well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt, of all our sins.
Luke 2:1-20
(Read all of Luke 2)
Verse 2
[2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
When Cyrenius was governor of Syria — When Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.
Verse 6
[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered — Mary seems not to have known that the child must have been born in Bethlehem, agreeably to the prophecy. But the providence of God took care for it.
Verse 7
[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
She laid him in the manger — Perhaps it might rather be translated in the stall. They were lodged in the ox stall, fitted up on occasion of the great concourse, for poor guests.
There was no room for them in the inn — Now also, there is seldom room for Christ in an inn. Matthew 1:25
Verse 11
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
To you — Shepherds; Israel; mankind.
Verse 14
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men — The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer's birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowings of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.
Verse 20
[20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
For all the things that they had heard — From Mary; as it was told them - By the angels.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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