W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Having a Christmas Season is wonderful. Not just one day on the calendar, but a whole season. We have gone through the Advent preparation period. Ushered in the Christmas time and now going through the season. Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. What do these mean to you? We have a solid example of these in conjunction with Christ through God’s love for us. I continue our reading of Ephesians and am reminded of these four. Ephesians 1:3-6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love, he destined us for adoption to Himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.” As we journey today, be filled with the Christmas season, cherish it, relish it, and put it in a place you can draw from, on the path…. The ...

  Ephesians 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus] faithful in Christ Jesus:” grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul starts his letters with items. First, we know the letter is from Paul. Paul tells us who he is, “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” Paul also states who the letter is for. He then gives a blessing. Communication is important. I teach my students to address God when praying. God needs to know you are speaking to God. Grab God’s attention! Names are important. I was reminded of this when a colleague asked if I knew his name. He did this because when I said “Hello” I never addressed him. I spend time learning names. Using them is to give the addressed a sense of familiarity. They also know you are talking to them. A person’s name is personal. Paul reminds us that it is important to let people know who we are and to address them by name. Paul also reminds us to bless them! Communica...

  On the Second Day of Christmas   Today’s Gospel reading comes from Jn 20:1a and 2-8 . In these verses, Mary Magdalene runs to tell the apostles someone has taken the Lord. We might expect to find this reading after Easter. However, when placed here it is a reminder for us: Have you seen the Lord? Last night, with my daughter, son-in-law, husband, and granddaughter, we went to see Jellystone lights. My granddaughter's response reminded me of how I should walk through my day seeing the light of Christ. Her response: WOW! Magdalene could not see the Christ and thought someone had taken him. Yet, Christ is always present. As we walk through our day, we are reminded that Christ is present, and we can see the light, we just need to be present to the light. May we go through our day, as we would a Christmas light show. That is being in awe and wonder at the presence of the light on the path….

  Ah, today you exhale as you make it through another Christmas. Yet the Christmas season isn’t over. The Christmas season is celebrated through the baptism of Christ. (January 12 th ) Throughout history, there have been different dates and times when the Christmas season ends. One is Candlemas celebrated in February. However, the point is that Christmas isn’t over! As we celebrate the joy, peace, hope, and love found in Christmas we begin with this scripture passage:   Psalm 31:2-4 states: “In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me; incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.” Look for, find, like you would where’s Waldo, hope today. Find joy! Find peace and above all find and rejoice in love on the path….

As I envision myself kneeling before the baby Christ, wondering what gift I can give I realize that my gift is this:    I say yes to Christmas, not Xmas, not Happy Holidays, but Christmas blessings. When I say yes to Christmas I say: Yes, to courage , not to fear Yes, to trust , no to lack of confidence Yes, to hope , no to despair Yes, to faith , no to unbelief Yes, to joy , no to negativity Yes, to kindness, no to indifference Yes, to peace , and not to be a critical or a cynical person The list goes on, but when I say yes to Christmas, I say yes to living and being a person worthy of Christ. My yes means there are things I say no when I kneel before the Christ child on the path….

 Christmas Eve Before the year expires, we are reminded to reflect on it. Christmas allows us to do this through the lens of faith. The light through the darkest times, the joy felt, and the kindness shown and given are all ways Christ was walking with us. Seeing through God's eyes reminds us of the beauty, the goodness, and what is really important in life. I leave you with this Christmas poem: The star of wonder, that shines the way Reminding one of Christmas day Not just another day, no, not just a calendar date But a way of life, a personal childlike state Of walking with the Christ child, in order to shatter any hate All year long, a Christmas heart to be God's hands and feet, God's voice and guide for others to meet Making a faith life as a child; for Christmas is good news so, I choose to walk the path with God and you!

  Service. Mary, today in the readings goes to visit and help Elizabeth. Mary said yes. Through her yes Christ was conceived in her. Once she carried the conception of Christ, her first act was to go to Elizabeth. When we say yes to God, Christ is conceived in us, and our first act should be one of service. Christ is a servant leader. He teaches us the importance of being there for others. Once we serve, and as we serve, Christ is born in the midst. Christ, after all, did say: “that when two or more are gathered you will find him.” When a yes is said, service is done we find Christ is born. A community is better for our acts of kindness, our care, and the ways we interact with each other through our yes. Advent is a time or reminder of our place in the community and how we can serve on the path….