January 6, 2019, Lectionary

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The appropriate gifts to bring with us are gold and incense and praises to the Lord. Isaiah 60:1-6

Like every Godfearing parent since Adam and then Abraham, David hoped his son would be the one to bring an everlasting peace to Israel and the other nations. Psalm 72

It is a mystery to call out awe and humble gratitude that we non-Jews should be included in the promises, and that a whole new word, "church," should have been created for who we are together in Christ. Ephesians 3:1-12

If the wise men's mention of "his star" was a reference to Numbers 24:17, then they interpreted the prophecy quite literally. I wonder if I would have dismissed such literalness and thereby missed Jesus' birth. Matthew 2:1-12

Thoughts about Listening

Once listening has grown up in a community, club, or church, the love attracts others. Isaiah 60:1-6

My success this year will be measured by how many poor and bullied people I can give a lift. Psalm 72

Sometimes the creation of new words is required for an expansion or a merger of goals. Ephesians 3:1-12

We use metaphors so readily that some words have almost taken on as primary their metaphorical meaning, for instance the use of "stars" for celebrities. Matthew 2:1-12

Bible Reading Group Study Guide

1.    Discuss in your group several ways to get acquainted with someone from a different race or ethnicity.

2.    Read or listen to Isaiah 60:1-6. What gifts are fitting to bring to the king? According to this reading, who will bring the gifts? Tell the group about the time when you last gave a gift to someone of a different race or ethnicity.

3.    Read or listen to Psalm 72. This is a psalm for Solomon whom David hoped would be a righteous king. Who else would be blessed besides the Hebrew nation (verses 17-19)?

4.    Read or listen to Ephesians 3:1-12. This is Paul’s expression of the appropriate astonishment that non-Jews should be included in the promises of God to Israel. Tell about being included in an event of another race or ethnicity.

5.    Read or listen to Matthew 2:1-12. From where did these men come (compare Genesis 25:6)? How did they get the idea a star might be connected to the king’s birth (compare Numbers14:17)? How did they feel about being included in the baby shower (see Matthew 2:11)?

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1.    Discuta con su grupo varias maneras de familiarizarse con alguien de una raza u origen étnico diferente.

2.    Leer o escuchar Isaías 60: 1-6. ¿Qué regalos son apropiados para llevar al rey? Según esta lectura, ¿quién traerá los regalos? Cuente al grupo sobre el momento en que le dio un regalo a alguien de una raza u origen étnico diferente.

3.    Leer o escuchar el Salmo 72. Este es un salmo para Salomón, a quien David esperaba que fuera un rey justo.  ¿Además de la nación hebrea, quién más debería ser bendecido (versículos 17-19)?

4.    Leer o escuchar Efesios 3: 1-12. Esta es la expresión apropiada de asombro que tuvo Pablo porque los no judíos deberían ser incluidos en las promesas de Dios a Israel. Hable  un evento de otra raza u origen étnico en el que fue incluido.

5.    Leer o escuchar Mateo 2: 1-12. ¿De dónde vinieron estos hombres (comparar Génesis 25: 6)? ¿Cómo se les ocurrió la idea de que una estrella podría estar conectada con el nacimiento del rey (comparar Números14: 17)? ¿Cómo se sintieron acerca de ser incluidos en el baby shower (vea Mateo 2:11)?