Sunday Readings

Sunday, January 4th (download here)
This week we’re going to look at the Gospel.



A bit of info before you read...
Matthew wrote his Gospel (which means ‘good news’) about 40 years after Jesus died. By writing down the story of Jesus, he was making sure that people wouldn’t forget who Jesus was, or forget the important things he said and did. Top tip: Herod was a Jewish King, but he was under the influence of the Romans. He was powerful, but not very loyal to his people!

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod's kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signalled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."

When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?" They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel."

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship."

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

THE MESSAGE

Herod was jealous of Jesus in case he was going to become a more powerful King than him. What makes you jealous? Often we feel jealous because we feel insecure about ourselves. Think about asking God to help you in jealous moments, to see that you’re good enough just as you are.

God had planned Jesus’ coming to earth for centuries before hand. God told the prophet Micah about him hundreds of years before, Micah’s writings were included in the Bible, and that’s how the scholars (otherwise known as the wise men/ magi/ kings!) knew about him. The Bible is full of exciting facts about the past, present and future. Have a go at the Bible Detectives Quiz to unlock some secrets AND enter a prize draw!

Sunday 28th December (Download here)
This week we’re going to look at the Gospel.



A bit of info before you read...
Luke’s Gospel was probably written about 40-60 years after Jesus had died. He wrote it down to make sure people heard the stories of Jesus.
Top tip: When Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem, it was to go to the Jewish temple, to dedicate Jesus  to God. They would have thanked God for the gift of a new baby, and offered God 2 doves as a sign of their thanks.

Let’s pray: Holy Spirit, speak to me through your word…

Gospel of Luke chapter 2: verses 22, 39-40

Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God
When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

THE MESSAGE

So when Jesus was a child he  grew ‘strong in body and wise in spirit’. Do you think you can be wise? Or is wise something you think of being to do with older people? God’s Holy Spirit is able to make any of us wise, no matter what age we are.
It’s also good to remember that at some point Jesus would have been your age, so he knows what it’s like, and he knows how tough it can be to follow God’s ways and try to be wise!




God’s plan is for all of us to grow strong in body and wise in spirit, but we need to agree with the plan and take part in it!
 Choose to do some exercise today. Go for a walk, or a swim, do some skipping, a few push ups or have a dance round your bedroom!
 Next time your faced with a decision, ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to choose the right thing.

Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright (c) by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.