pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au

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

Resources

Readings
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2: 11-14
Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20)

See also Christmas Eve B and Christmas Eve C

Here is an advent candle liturgy by Maren C. Tirabassi: “I was moved by the thought of four candles illuminating the ways human and holy touch in this season, reminding us of the simple and amazing truth of Emmanuel, God with us, we find through the stories of Hope, the places of Peace, the festivities of Joy, the incarnations of Love”.

See also COCU5B and COCU5C

Readings – Christmas Dawn
Isaiah 62: 6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3: 4-7
Luke 2: (1-7), 8-20

Readings – Christmas Day
Isaiah 52: 7-10
Psalm 98
Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12)
John 1: 1-14

See also Christmas Dawn B and Christmas Day C

Into this world, this demented inn
in which there is absolutely no room for him at all,
Christ comes uninvited.
But because he cannot be at home in it,
because he is out of place in it,
and yet he must be in it,
His place is with the others for whom
there is no room.
His place is with those who do not belong,
who are rejected by power, because
they are regarded as weak,
those who are discredited,
who are denied status of persons,
who are tortured, bombed and exterminated.
With those for whom there is no room,
Christ is present in this world.
(Source: Thomas Merton)

Readings

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4: Habakkuk complains to God that justice is perverted and God’s help does not come, but then, as he waits for God’s answer, God’s word comes to him offering him a vision of the downfall of the proud and the vibrant life of the righteous.
Psalm 119:137-144: The psalmist celebrates God’s regulations, affirming their value and goodness for all time, and giving thanks for the strength they offer even in times of hardship.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12: Paul celebrates the faith, love and endurance of the Thessalonian Christians in the face of persecution and hardship, and prays for God’s strength to sustain and inspire them, so that they may glorify God.
Luke 19:1-10: In Jericho Jesus invites himself to be a guest at the house of a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus, in spite of the criticisms of people. As a result, Zacchaeus is transformed into a man of generosity and compassion.
(Bible readings summary by John van de Laar, Sacredise)

Resources
Art and Theology – images and reflections

Habakkuk – ‘how long’?
A theology that has no place for lament is left only with thin, inadequate murmurings. The covenantal relationship is reduced to a mere shell, maneuvered about with smoke and mirrors rather than serious and faithful engagement. . . . A theology which takes our covenantal relationship with God seriously must then also take the laments seriously. One cannot happen without the other.
(Source: Logan C. Jones, The Psalms of Lament and the Transformation of Sorrow)