Links to resources for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day:
http://www.textweek.com/festivals/christmas.htm
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The indexing work at "The Text This Week" is being sponsored this week
by:
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email: Exegesis, Sermons, True Stories, Thought Provokers, Hymns. Now
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journeywithjesus.net - A weekly webzine for the global church -
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This direct link to the weekly resources page for Christmas 1, Year A
(December 30, 2007):
http://www.textweek.com/yeara/christma1.htm
will point you toward a number of resources for general study of the
lectionary texts, and worship and liturgy resources. Many of these
general
resources are available close to the date of the lectionary week, and
are
posted at The Text This Week after they are up at others'
sites.
_____
I've compiled pages of links to artwork depicting the following
themes:
Flight into Egypt
http://www.textweek.com/art/flight_into_egypt.htm
Magi
http://www.textweek.com/art/magi.htm
Massacre of the Innocents
http://www.textweek.com/art/massacre_of_innocents.htm
__________
Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation
Comments (commentary)
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/axms1m.shtml
and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study),
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/axms1l.shtml?
Christmas 1A, Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Holy Family A, 2007. Commentary,
historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis
University.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/HolyFamilyA123007/main.html
Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org. Commentaries on lectionary
readings by Christine Roy Yoder, Craig R. Koester, and Mark Allan
Powell,
Luther Seminary.
http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx
Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 1, by Paul
Nuechterlein
& Friends.
http://girardianlectionary.net/year_a/xmas1a.htm
Preaching Helps (Christmas 1A, 2007). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist
Church
General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45716&loc_id=733,
32,45
Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Christmas 1A, 2007, Paul S.
Nancarrow, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
http://www.processandfaith.org/lectionary/YearA/2007-2008/2007-12-30.shtml
Sermon Nuggets, Christmas 1A, 2007, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor,
questions, quotations.
http://home.twcny.rr.com/lyndale/Christmas%201A.%202007.htm
Jesus Now, Christmas 1A. Lectionary, study and worship resources from
Faith
Futures Jesus Then & Now.
http://wiki.faithfutures.org/index.php/Christmas_1A
First Sunday after Christmas, December 30, 2007, Joy L. McDonald
Coltvet,
Currents in Theology and Mission.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MDO/is_5_34/ai_n21053797
The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin
Theological
Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration
Ideas.
http://cep.calvinseminary.edu/thisWeek/index.php
Text Studies, Christmas 1, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
http://sio.midco.net/danelson9/yeara/christmas1a.htm
"The Figure of Joseph," Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand.
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/bfletch/a107.html
Social Justice Lectionary, Christmas 1A, list of links by Rev. Dr. Bruce
Sweet, United Church of Canada.
http://www.socialjusticelectionary.com/yearainfo.htm#1STCHRIST
SAMUEL, Christmas 1, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly
theme,
lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/december-30-2007-i-first.html
Lectionary at Lunch: MP3, Windows Media, and Real Audio files of
lectures by
professors at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO (LCMS).
http://www.csl.edu/Resources_AudioVideo_LectionaryatLunch.aspx
Lists of recommended articles are available with ATLAS subscription
http://www.atla.com/trial/textweek.html
for these texts:
Isaiah 63:7-9
http://www.textweek.com/prophets/isaiah63b.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Psalm 148
http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm148.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Hebrews 2:10-18
http://www.textweek.com/epistlesrevelation/hebrews2.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Matthew 2:13-23
http://www.textweek.com/mtlk/matt2b.htm#ATLAS_Journals
Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
"Blogging toward Sunday," Erin Martin, Theolog: The Blog of The
Christian
Century, 2007.
http://www.theolog.org/
The Good Word, Blog on Scripture and Preaching, America: The National
Catholic Weekly, 2007.
http://americamagazine.org/blogs/client/
Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion,
2007.
http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/
"No More Killing of Innocents," Randall C. Bailey, Angela
Bauer-Levesque,
Caroline Redfearn, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our
Lives
and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign. (LGBT persective)
http://www.hrc.org/scripture/season.asp#12-30-07
"Weeping for Her Children," Laurel A. Dykstra, "A Prophetic Call,"
Living
the Word, Sojourners Online, 2007.
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj0712&article=
071249
"What Can We Expect?" Keith A. Russell, Reflections on the Lectionary
for
December, 2007, The Living Pulpit.
http://www.pulpit.org/articles/December07Lectionary.asp
Daily Reflection, Christmas 1, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton
University,
2007.
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/123007.html
This Sunday's Readings, First Sunday of Christmas, John Pridmore, Church
Times, 2007.
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=48910
The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L.
Mundo,
Progressive Theology Weblog, 2007.
http://www.progressivetheology.org/SNT/SNT-2007.12.23.html
Homiletical Hot Tub, preaching blog at Lectionary Homiletics, 2007.
http://www.goodpreacher.com/blog/
The Preacher's Exchange - First Impressions, Volume 2, and Homilias
Domincales / Homilias Breves. Jude Siciliano, O.P.
http://www.op.org/exchange/
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion. "A place of conversation
regarding
Progressive Christianity."
http://kcmlection.blogspot.com/
Education for Justice Lectionary Reflections, 2007, Fr. John Bucki, SJ,
"Promoting Global Justice and Peace Since 1971".
http://educationforjustice.org/bin/view.fpl/1413.html
COSLC Grace Notes, Pastor Dan Bollerud, Christ Our Savior Lutheran
Church,
Anchorage, AK. Meditations & poetry.
http://www.coslcgrace.blogspot.com/
Reflections of the Spirit, Gary Sims, First United Methodist Church,
Albuquerque, NM. Daily studies & devotions on the lectionary texts.
http://www.fumconline.org/devotionals.php
Common Reading, Anthony B. Robinson.
http://www.anthonybrobinson.com/reading.htm
"Caring for the Innocent," Christmas 1, Carol Gallagher, Proclaiming
Gospel
Justice, The Witness, 2004.
http://www.thewitness.org/agw/gallagher121704.html
"The Last Shall Be First," Andrew Davey, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The
Witness, 2004.
http://www.thewitness.org/agw/davey122204.html
"God's Chosen," Michaela Bruzzese, "Digging for Treasure," Sojourners,
2004.
http://tinyurl.com/yogrdk
"He Too Was Distressed," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself,
Daniel B.
Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2004
http://www.journeywithjesus.net/Essays/20041220JJ.shtml
The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L.
Mundo,
Progressive Theology Weblog, 2004.
http://www.progressivetheology.org/SNT/SNT-2004.12.26.html
"Wake Up!" by Michaela Bruzzese. Living the Word lectionary-based
scripture
commentary from Sojourners Online, 2001.
http://www.sojo.net/magazine/index.cfm/action/sojourners/issue/soj0111/artic
le/011149.html
Living the Word, by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary-based scripture
commentary at Sojourner's Online, 1995.
http://www.sojo.net/magazine/index.cfm/action/sojourners/issue/soj9511/artic
le/951149.html
Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and
other resources.
http://www.desperatepreacher.com/bodyii.htm
Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels,
Year
A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education
Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
http://www.ontario.anglican.ca/docs/SundayBySundayA.pdf
Sermons
Selected Sermon, Chrimsas 1 (RCL), by the Rev. Mary K. Morrison, in
Worship
that Works, ECUSA, 2007.
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_93032_ENG_HTM.htm?menu=unde
fined
Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL
by a
team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors, 2007.
http://www.predigten.uni-goettingen.de/aktuell.php
Stewardship Sermon Starter, Stewardship at the Heart of the Lectionary.
ELCA.
http://www.elca.org/stewardship/sermon.asp
"Family Ties," Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic
Weekly,
2004.
http://tinyurl.com/24nme4
"Dream Visions and a Sign in the Heavens," John R Donahue, SJ, America:
The
National Catholic Weekly, 2001.
http://tinyurl.com/2h4htx
"Rachel's Children," Sermon & Reflections for the 1st Sunday after
Christmas, Barry Robinson, Keeping the Faith in Babylon. At Richard
Fairchild's Sermons & Sermon Lectionary Resources.
http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/a-ch01-keeping.php
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
Banquet of the Word, Bible Study Based on the Sunday Readings, by Rev.
Thomas Welbers.
http://www.olaclaremont.org/education/adult/bow/bowxhf.htm
Lectionary Notes, Christmas 1, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat
Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
http://www.bethquick.com/12-26-04notes.htm
"Living in the Shadow of the Manger," study guide for adults, Robert B.
Kruschwitz, (other resources at)
http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/Childrenstudyguide3.pdf
"Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at
Baylor
University, 2003.
http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/index.php?id=15336
Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Adults, Christmas, Year A, The
Episcopal Church, 2007.
http://ecusa.anglican.org/50534_53830_ENG_HTM.htm
Bible Study - Holy Family - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary
commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
http://www.scborromeo.org/biblestu/a_family.pdf
Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders
guide and
participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
http://www.bibleministries.org/
Complete Liturgies & General Worship Planning Resources:
Worship Planning Helps (Christmas 1, 2007): Worship & Preaching
Notes, Hymn
Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church
General
Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45639&loc_id=733,
32,45
Gathering, Christmas 1, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes
homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn
suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
http://www.united-church.ca/files/sales/magazines/gathering/2008/ace/rtf/ace
2008.rtf
Worship Resources, Christmas 1, (includes litanies, "artistic elements,"
etc), Rev. Nancy Townley, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
http://www.worshipconnection.cokesbury.com/content.aspx?dyn=1423
"Flight to Egypt: An Immigrant's Testimony," First Sunday of Christmas,
2007. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/flight-to-egypt_christmas-1.pdf
Mustard Seeds, "Jesus the Refugee," Christmas 1A, 2007. A
lectionary-based
ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull,
Gippsland,
Australia.
http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-1-december-30-jesus-refugee.
html
LCA Worship Resources, Christmas 1A, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions,
notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc.
Lutheran Church of Australia.
http://tinyurl.com/2gcxbs
Worship and Liturgy Resources, Christmas 1, by Rev David Beswick,
Uniting
Church in Australia.
http://www.beswick.info/rclresources/C1A95OS.htm
Liturgies Online, Christmas 1, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in
Australia.
http://www.liturgiesonline.com.au/liturgies/main/index.php?ch_table=link2&PI
D=10&SID=&year=A
Christmas Liturgy, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/churchyear/christmas.html
Adapting Christmas to the Southern Hemisphere.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/churchyear/christmasseason.html
Liturgy for the First Sunday after Christmas, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
http://www.members.aol.com/LiturgybyTLW1/Seasonal/AdvXmas/Xmas1NC.html
Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of
Canada.
http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/year-a-sermons.php
Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
http://www.canticanova.com/planning/year-a/p_xmas_a.htm
Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra
Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings,
Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
http://www.laughingbird.net/ComingWeeks.html
Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and
Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://home.alphalink.com.au/~nigel/DocA/07Xmas1st.htm
The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in
Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
http://thebillabong.info/
Prayers of the People, Year A - Christmas I. General intercessions for
Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the
[Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
http://members.cox.net/oplater/IntercessionABC-Xmas1.pdf
Lector's Notes, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Gregory
Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and
commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the
congregation.
http://www.lectorprep.org/holy_family_yrABC.html
Introductions to lectionary readings for readers, Christmas 1A. Chris
Haslam, Diocese of Montreal.
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comments/axms1i.shtml?
Offertory Prayers for December, 2007, Herb Mather, Director of the
Center
for Christian Stewardship, the General Board of Discipleship of The
United
Methodist Church.
http://www.gbod.org/stewardship/article.asp?id=45595&source=church
Prayers of the People, Christmas 1, Richard J. Einerson, sample prayers
from
Prayers of the People: Pastoral Prayers for Worship and Personal
Devotion.
http://www.richardeinerson.com/einerson_005.htm
Prayer of the Church, Christmas 1, 2007, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod.
http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/enews/messagetext.asp?MsgId=5900
Prayers and Musical Ideas, Holy Family A. Commentary, historical
background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University,
2007.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/HolyFamilyA123007/main.html
"Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the
Eucharist,
Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/557c.html
Prayers for Christmas 1 (Psalm 148),
http://revsbrown.tripod.com/aplaceforprayer/id9.html
Christmas 1 (Slaughter of the Innocents),
http://revsbrown.tripod.com/aplaceforprayer/id8.html
Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Christmas 1A, 2007, Kwasi I.
Kena, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45715&loc_id=733,
32,45
World in Prayer, the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Lodi,
California. Prayers. Prayers and litanies based on each week's world
news.
http://www.worldinprayer.org/
Graphics and Multimedia:
Clip Art, Holy Family, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic
Educators.
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/Year%20A/holyfamilyA.htm
Christmas 1
http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/dibujosA/07NavidadA3.jpg
at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American
Roman
Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in
the
index. Liberation emphasis.
http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/indexAgraf.html
Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett,
Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
http://www.scholia.net/bulletins.htm
Mustard Seeds, "Jesus the Refugee," Christmas 1A, 2007. A
lectionary-based
ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull,
Gippsland,
Australia.
http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-1-december-30-jesus-refugee.
html
SundayGraphx, Don Silva. Bulletin Covers / Cubierta de Boletín and
PowerPoint backgrounds, English and Spanish.
http://sundaygraphx.blogspot.com/
Scripture Pics, Weekly RCL-related image.
http://www.scripturepics.org/
Free Downloadable Bulletin Covers & Clip Art, (primarily UMC and
PCUSA),
Kerr Resources.
http://www.kerrresources.com/
Agnus Day, Lectionary cartoon by James Wetzstein.
http://www.agnusday.org/
La domenica con Gesù, weekly image tied to gospel lesson.
http://www.santegidio.org/it/amici/voce/domenica.htm
Bulletin Inserts:
SAMUEL, Christmas 1, 2007, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly
theme,
lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/december-30-2007-i-first.html
Hymns and Music: (see also "Hymns & Music" linked at individual
scripture pages, below)
Lectionary Hymns, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/lectionaryhymns/123007hymns.asp
"A Voice Was Heard in Ramah," original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D.
http://www.witherspoonsociety.org/2004/for_christmas_2004.htm#voice
in ramah
"God, How Can We Comprehend?" original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Tune: ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night"
http://www.churchworldservice.org/Hymns/hymn_Afghanrefugees.htm
"We Three Kings" for congregation and choir, arr. by Sandy Willard
Rogers.
United Methodist Church, GBOD.
http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=45673
Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files)
from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday
Lectionary.")
http://oremus.org/hymnal/
Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
http://www.hymnsite.com/lection/index.shtml
Hymn Suggestion First-Line Generator for Voices United (United Church of
Canada). Type in numbers of hymns and get a list of first lines. Peter
Chynoweth, Yellowhead Presbytery. (scroll down)
http://yellowheadpresbytery.org/news_info.htm
Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province.
Worksheets
for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire
suggestions for RCL texts.
http://www.mcsp.org/resources/wrm/res_wrm_preface.htm
The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn
suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
http://thebillabong.info/
Together to Celebrate, December 30, 2007, David MacGregor, Uniting
Church in
Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
http://www.togethertocelebrate.com.au/CHRISTMAS1_2007.htm
Prayers and Musical Ideas, Holy Family A, 2007. Commentary, historical
background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
http://liturgy.slu.edu/HolyFamilyA123007/main.html
Children's Bulletins
Lectionary Puzzles. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg
McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
http://www.efree.mb.ca/lectionarypuzzles/in-awag.htm
Gospel Puzzles for the Lectionary, Matthew 2:13-23, Mark Ryman,
edoxy.com.
http://www.edoxy.com/puzzles/Xmas1A_Gospel.pdf
Children's Activity Sheets: Activities for Children, based on the
Revised
Common Lectionary, by Dorothy A. DeBisschop, Great Hill UMC, Seymour,
Connecticut. At Bass Mitchell's homiliesbyemail.com.
http://www.homiliesbyemail.com/leaf/cas/current.html
Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons &
Children's
Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of
page.)
http://www.sermons4kids.com/
CatholicMom.com: Coloring Page, Mass Worksheet, Crossword Puzzle, and
Word
Search based on weekly gospel text.
http://www.catholicmom.com/coloring_pages.htm
With Children (see also listings "With Children" at individual
scripture pages, linked below):
"Sermon of the Week,"
http://www.sermons4kids.com/
"Mensajes para ninos,"
http://www.sermons4kids.com/mensajes_para_ninos.htm
Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's
Sermons,
Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
Family Table Devos, weekly family devotionals on placemats by Meghan
Large,
NC Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
http://www.lutheranyouth.org/Family_Table_Devotions.133.html
Gathering, Christmas 1, 2007, from the United Church of Canada. Includes
homiletical suggestions, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn
suggestions, keyboard, instrumental, choral suggestions etc.
http://www.united-church.ca/files/sales/magazines/gathering/2008/ace/rtf/ace
2008.rtf
Lesson Plans for Small Congregations, Younger Children & Older
Children,
Christmas, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2007.
http://ecusa.anglican.org/50534_53830_ENG_HTM.htm
Children's Sermons Following the Lectionary, Roland McGregor.
http://www.webspawner.com/users/ChildPage/
_______________________
_______________________
Matthew 2:13-23
http://www.textweek.com/mtlk/matt2b.htm
"First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Christmas
1A,
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/MtChristmas1.htm
"Typically for such narratives there is more than one stream of
allusions.
We not only have Israel going down into Egypt and being called up out of
Egypt in the Exodus as God's son (hence the quotation of Hosea 11:1 in
2:15), but we also have echoes of the attempt of the Pharaoh to kill
Hebrew
infants which led to Moses being set among the bulrushes."
"First Sunday after Christmas: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23," Revelation and
Response: Matthean Texts for Christmas and Epiphany, Carol Mork, Word
&
World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological
School, 1989.
http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/9-4_Ministry/9-4_Mork.pdf
"Putting Herod Back into Christmas," Joy Carroll Wallis, Sojourners,
2004.
http://tinyurl.com/4y6z4
"Herod represents the dark side of the gospel. He reminds us that Jesus
didn't enter a world of sparkly Christmas cards or a world of warm
spiritual
sentiment. Jesus enters a world of real pain, of serious dysfunction, a
world of brokenness and political oppression."
Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian
Resources.
http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/matt2x13.htm
"A possible application might center around forced moves: the elderly
whose
health or financial situation forces them to move from their home
place; the
young whose jobs and transfers force them to move from town to town; the
expanding families who need to find larger housing, or clergy receiving
a
new call."
"Rachel Weeping," Frederick Niedner, The Christian Century, 2004.
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=3170
"In the midst of our celebrations we also listen to Rachel’s lament
because
today her children and her neighbors’ children are still dying with
their
hands on each other’s throats in blind rage over disagreements old as
her
own jealousy of Leah."
Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western
Australia.
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/matthew0/MIM21323CHRIS1.html
"Change after the Holidays," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic
Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family
Activity, Support Materials.
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/Seasonal-Special/HolyFamily/A-HolyFamily-a.
html
"Do you look forward to the end of the Christmas season? Why?"
"The Escape to Egypt," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies
and
Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual
notes.
http://www.lectionarystudies.com/studyg/christmas1ag.html
"In the coming of Jesus the messiah, there dawns the new age of the
Kingdom.
Not only is Jesus the fulfillment of all the prophetic hopes of Israel
as
the coming prophet, priest and king, he is Israel itself - the faithful
remnant of God."
"The Immigrant Nazarene," Jerry Goebel, One Family Outreach. "Focus on
scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and
activities.
http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/Matthew/mt_02_13-23.htm
"Our goal is this; are we in the ‘Nazareths’ of own community? Are we
willing to go where the least of these is found and make our home among
them? Are we willing to take on their title and say with dignity; “Yes,
I
stand beside the outcast, the immigrant and the powerless.” Are we
willing
to follow the Nazarene?"
"Jesus the Refugee," Expository Essay, Dr. William R. Long.
http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Matt2.html
"We have a God working through the refugee family to preserve, and then
to
bring forward, the Savior of the world."
"The Weeping of Rachel," Klass Schilder, in Kerux: The Online Journal of
Biblical Theology (Reformed)
http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV01N3A1.asp
"Rachel is the first mother in Scripture who dies giving birth to her
child."
"The Babe and the Babes of Bethlehem," James T. Dennison Jr., in Kerux:
The
Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
http://www.kerux.com/documents/KeruxV3N3A4.asp
"Jerusalem in flames-- captives herded to the point of departure-- long
lines of Jewish sons and daughters marching to the East. And for the
children put to sword in Judah and Jerusalem-- what/who would deliver
them?
As the curtain falls on the nation of Judah, Rachel weeps-- for all
seems
lost and destroyed. When Israel wept for Rachel, she died giving life.
Now
Rachel weeps for Israel, for the living are dead and the rest are
marched
off to a grave in a far away land. Indeed, the children to whom she gave
life are no more."
"Flight into Egypt,"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_into_Egypt
"Massacre of the Innocents,"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents
wikipedia.
"Living in the Shadow of the Manger," Margaret Eletta Guider, O.S.F.,
http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/ChildrenarticleGuider.pdf
(other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for
Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/index.php?id=15336
"When the shadow of the Manger falls across our lives with a power
similar
to the shadow of the Cross, we will commit ourselves to respond to the
particular needs and suffering of children."
"Living in the Shadow of the Manger," study guide for adults, Robert B.
Kruschwitz, "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
http://www.baylor.edu/christianethics/Childrenstudyguide3.pdf
"Jesus and Women in Matthew," Jane Kopas, University of Scranton.
Theology
Today, 1990.
http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/apr1990/v47-1-article2.htm
"It is not only the gentiles but mothers and daughters and other
marginalized people or outsiders who get a special hearing from Jesus,
Not
only do they receive a special hearing, but they seem to hear and see
the
possibilities in his mission beyond what others see."
"The Greek Translation of Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15: Matthean or
Pre-Matthean?" Maarten J.J. Menken, Filologia NT, 1999.
http://www.bsw.org/?l=72121&a=Art05.html
"The author discusses the textual form of the quotation from Hos. 11:1
in
Matt. 2:15, which differs significantly from the LXX Version and agrees
with
the Massoretic Text and Aquila’s translation of this clause."
The Wise Men and the Star of Christ, a multi-page historical/theological
site by Rev. Phil Greetham. Includes a page of basic information about
Herod
the Great.
http://www.btinternet.com/~prgreetham/Wisemen/home.html
Herod the Great, basic background from Wayne Blank's Daily Bible Study.
http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/herod.htm
"Herod was assigned a territorial rulership by the Romans, making him a
"client king." His area covered from Gaza to Masada in southern Israel,
north beyond Nazareth, and then a section east beyond the Golan Heights
into
what is today Syria. If Herod had not died while Jesus was still an
infant,
he certainly would have been a problem later because this is the very
area
that Christ lived and conducted His entire recorded ministry."
Mysteries of the Nile website from PBS's Nova special. Features
historical
& archaeological information, panoramic virtual reality photos, and
more.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/egypt/
Sermons:
"Rachel's Weeping Must Cease!" the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Zanicky, Day 1,
2001.
http://www.day1.net/index.php5?view=transcripts&tid=142
"Rachel Weeps," Dr. Paul Sherry, President, United Church of Christ. 30
Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1993.
http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/sherry_3632.htm
"Herod and Historical Probability," Christmas 1, Rev. Edward F.
Markquart,
Sermons from Seattle.
http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_a_herod_and_historical_probability.
htm
"Blood in Bethlehem," Dean William Willimon, Duke Chapel Sermon Archive,
1998.
http://www.chapel.duke.edu/worship/sunday/viewsermon.aspx?id=64
_____
Isaiah 63:7-9
http://www.textweek.com/prophets/isaiah63b.htm
Isaiah 63:7-9, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series A, Ralph W.
Klein,
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
http://fontes.lstc.edu/~rklein/Documents/adventa.htm#Xmas1
The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common
Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson,
Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne,
Australia.
http://hwallace.unitingchurch.org.au/WebOTcomments/ChristmasA/Christmas1.htm
l
"The coming of the Lord is, at its heart, no romantic story of a
cherub-like child born in innocent but rustic surrounds... The coming
of the
Lord is always in the midst of the most horrid, bloody endeavours
humans can
conceive to execute against even the most innocent."
Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological
Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church
in
Australia.
http://oldtestamentlectionary.unitingchurch.org.au/2007/December/Xmas1Isa63_
07.htm
"This 'hesed' (steadfast love) of God is what brings forth our
praises."
"The Presence that Saves," Expository Essay, Dr. William R. Long.
http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Is63.html
"It is God's love and compassion that motivated the deliverance."
Sermons:
"Recollection," Dr. Marguerite Shuster, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday
Evening Club, 1996.
http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/shuster_4010.htm
"Being There," John Jewell, 2001.
http://www.lectionarysermons.com/decbr30-2001.htm
_____
Hebrews 2:10-18
http://www.textweek.com/epistlesrevelation/hebrews2.htm
"First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary: Christmas
1,"
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/AEpChristmas1.htm
"The author ... brings us back from a way of thinking about Christ or
God
which could remain obsessed with images of power and glory and
remoteness.
God is engaged with us where we are - and wherever we are on the
journey."
"The Son of Man: Saviour and High Priest," Rev. Bryan Findlayson,
Lectionary
Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes
detailed textual notes.
http://www.lectionarystudies.com/christmas1aae.html
Not about Angels, You Know," Expository Essay, Dr. William R. Long.
http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Heb2.html
Part 2.
http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Heb2II.html
"Acquaintance with suffering gives us a kind of skepticism about grand
human
plans and transformative ideas."
"Higher Than the Angels," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic
Resource for This Sunday's Gospel.
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/Seasonal-Special/Presentation/SR-Presentati
on.html
"How do you see you place before God? How has your faith in Christ
changed
your outlook? How has the example of Jesus encouraged you?"
Sermons:
"The Destruction of Death," Paul Tillich, from The Shaking of the
Foundations, 1955. At Religion Online.
http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=378&C=86
"The darkness into which the light of Christmas shines is above all the
darkness of death. The threat of death, which shadows the whole road of
our
life, is the dark background of the Advent expectation of mankind.
Death is
not merely the scissors which cuts the thread of our life, as a famous
ancient symbol indicates. It is rather one of those threads which are
woven
into the design of our existence, from its very beginning to its end."
_____
Psalm 148
http://www.textweek.com/writings/psalm148.htm
______________
______________
May the Peace of Christ be with you all, and may your study be prayer,
Jenee
Jenee Woodard -- Jackson, Michigan
mailto:jeneewd@dmci.net
http://www.textweek.com
- The Text This Week
