Isaiah 55: 1-11
A vision of salvation: listen to the Lord and your soul shall live.

1 John 5: 1-9
Faith in Christ Jesus leads us to love all God’s children.

Mark 1: 7-11
The gentle carpenter of Nazareth is empowered as God’s beloved Son.

Isaiah 60: 1-6
The glory of the Lord shines out from Jerusalem.

Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
The promises of Christ are given to all people who share in his gift of forgiveness and new life.

Matthew 2: 1-12
The magi bowed down in front of the Christ child and adored him.

Isaiah 61: 1-12. 10 -11
Hope can feel a little bit like fear, the sort of joyous fear a bride and groom feel on their wedding night.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
Where there is peace, there is God.  Where there is God, there is peace.

John 1: 6-8. 19-28
God sent John.  We are part of that sending.  To be a Christian is to have a mission.

2 Samuel 7: 1-5. 8-12.14. 16
King David wants to build a house, a temple, for the Lord; but the Lord promises rather to build a house, a dynasty, for David.

Romans 16: 25-27
The mystery of God, revealed in Jesus, has to be made known to pagans everywhere to bring them to faith.

Luke 1: 26-38
The angel Gabriel reveals to Mary that she is to be the mother  of God’s son.  He will be given the throne of his ancestor David and his reign will have no end.

Isaiah 40: 1-5. 9-11
The prophet Isaiah announces that God’s glory is about to be revealed, and calls on the people to prepare for it.

2 Peter 3: 8-14
The followers of Jesus are called to lead holy and good lives while waiting for the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness rules.

Mark 1: 1-8
The first verses of Mark’s Gospel announce the “beginning of the Good News” of Jesus Christ, and tells of the witness of John of the Baptist.