Today’s reading is John 1:1–14: John reveals the mystery of the incarnation.
Continue reading John 1:1–14: Logos Λόγος (a poem)
Category: Lessons 2021
Matthew 2:1–12: The heavenly summons (a poem)
Continuing the poetry series based on the nine lessons from a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Today’s reading is Matthew 2:1–12, the visit of the magi.
Continue reading Matthew 2:1–12: The heavenly summons (a poem)
Luke 2:8–16: Shepherd, leave your flock and fold (a poem) (with pictures)
‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’
Micah 5:2 (NIVUK)
Today’s reading is Luke 2:8–16, the story about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus.
Continue reading Luke 2:8–16: Shepherd, leave your flock and fold (a poem) (with pictures)
Luke 2:1–7: The Prince of Prayer (a poem)
Today’s reading is Luke 2:1,3–7. It’s the story of Mary and Joseph going to Bethlehem. There, Mary gives birth and famously places Jesus in a manger because there was no room in the ‘inn.’ (My post from Christmas Eve last year has some useful notes on this word.)
Continue reading Luke 2:1–7: The Prince of Prayer (a poem)
Luke 1:26–38: The Weight of Wings (a poem)
Continuing the series of poems drawing on the scripture readings in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Strictly speaking, the reading for today is Luke 1:26–35,38.
This is one of those passages that’s so famous, it’s hard to know what more can be said about it.
Continue reading Luke 1:26–38: The Weight of Wings (a poem)
Isaiah 11:1–9: The King of Peace (a poem)
Continuing the series of poems drawing on the scripture readings in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Strictly speaking, the reading for today is Isaiah 11:1–3a;4a;6–9.
When I looked at this passage, the thing that stayed with me most was the concept of a hendiadys. Literally meaning “one from two,” a hendiadys is where a single thought is expressed in two words joined with “and”.
Continue reading Isaiah 11:1–9: The King of Peace (a poem)
Isaiah 9:2,6–7: Who walks when you walk in darkness? (a poem)
Continuing the series of poems drawing on the scripture readings in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
OK we’re getting into very famous territory with today’s reading. It’s all about God’s promise to raise up a righteous leader, like David was, who will lead the Israelites out of darkness.
Continue reading Isaiah 9:2,6–7: Who walks when you walk in darkness? (a poem)
Genesis 22:15–18: The Day to Live (a poem)
Continuing the series of poems drawing on the scripture readings in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Genesis 22 is all about the time that God tested Abraham, who prepared to sacrifice Isaac — even though Isaac was the only son he had by that time. I wrote more about that story (and the theological debates that surround it) in my letter to Abraham as part of the previous series.
Continue reading Genesis 22:15–18: The Day to Live (a poem)
Genesis 3:8–19: The Wind in the Orchard (a poem)
This is the first in a new series of poems drawing on the scripture readings in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Continue reading Genesis 3:8–19: The Wind in the Orchard (a poem)