1ST READING
The image of light is an extremely powerful one. Everybody knows why we use light and so the immediate thought of it reminds us of the way it dispels darkness and makes it possible for us to see. When we speak of light in relation to Christ, a Christian will always be reminded that it is the light of His truth that helps us dispel the darkness of sin from our lives.
Isaiah 60:1-6
1 Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. 3 Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. 4 Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you. Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of theirnurses. 5 Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. 6Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.
P S A L M
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
1 O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son; 2 he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. 8 May he rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. (R) 10 The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. 11All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. (R) 12 For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. (R)
2ND READING
We are stewards of God’s grace and are accountable for all the personal gifts He has bestowed upon us. We are also stewards of so much more; to name just a few things — the environment in which we live and everything in it, the knowledge we have gleaned from human studies and science. How well are we doing in preserving our heritage for those who will come after us? Are we treating the environment well? Are we helping others to use the knowledge of science well?
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
2 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 5 It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 that the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
GOSPEL
The kings go looking for the Christ Child because they feel it is right to pay homage to Him. How well do we respect the daily presence of Christ in our lives? Do we truly recognize His presence or do we dismiss Him too easily because we cannot touch Him with our hands as Thomas did? Christ is with us wherever we may be and it is our duty and privilege as Christians to make Him manifest in the world as best as we can. Let us seek to do this today in new ways.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.
Matthew 2:1-12
1 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them thetime of the star’s appearance. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 9After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
think: Christ is with us wherever we may be and it is our duty and privilege as Christians to make Him manifest in the world as best as we can.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 15-18
SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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