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.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and… Continue reading Seeking the King of the Jews

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He… Continue reading Partners in Hope

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at… Continue reading Blessed are the Nobodies

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to… Continue reading The Way of Subtraction, Not Addition

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!’” John… Continue reading John in the Wilderness

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when… Continue reading Asleep on the Job

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will… Continue reading On the Right Side of Things

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another two; to a third, one–to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with… Continue reading Getting Into the Game

Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five wise. For the foolish ones, in taking the lamps, did not take oil with them. But the wise ones took oil in flasks with… Continue reading Now, Not Later

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples saying, “As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master.’ You have but one master, the Christ. The… Continue reading One-upmanship Put Down