Monday of the Second Week of Christmas
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
O come, let us adore him!
Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.
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Reading: 1 John 2:22-28 (NLT)
And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.
I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.
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Reading: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
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Reading: John 1:19-28 (NLT)
This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”
Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”
John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, the source of Life and Light, Savior of the world – have mercy on us.
+ Christ, Sun of Justice, you revealed your glory among us; teach us to live with God as children of the Light.
+ Simeon and Anna proclaimed you as the Savior; grant that the Jewish people may accept your message so long foretold.
+ At your birth the angels proclaimed glory in heaven and peace on earth; fill our world with the spirit of your peace.
+ You became the second Adam, renewing all our human ways; bring hope to those who live under the oppression of sin.
God our Father, grant that, learning your truth with humility, we may live it in faith and love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Living for Jesus” – Cedar College of Education Choir at KwaSizabantu Mission in South Africa.
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Blessing
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. – 1 John 2:28
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 