Monthly Archives: December 2024

Mary’s Example; December 10, 2024

Posted on December 11, 2024 by jgarrott

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. I have no idea how many times I’ve written on this verse, but it hits me every time I … Continue reading →

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Fatherhood; December 9, 2024

Posted on December 10, 2024 by jgarrott

Luke 1:17 “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the … Continue reading →

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Walking in the Light; December 8, 2024

Posted on December 9, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” This is a dearly loved verse, and as a matter of fact we have it on a banner hanging in our sanctuary. However, it’s still worthy of meditation. … Continue reading →

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The Shadow of Death; December 7, 2024

Posted on December 8, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 9:2 he people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned. This passage came up a few weeks ago, because the theme of our readings was Light, but at … Continue reading →

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Nostalgia; December 6, 2024

Posted on December 7, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things;    do not dwell on the past.” Recently I have read that nostalgia was long considered a very negative thing, but today we speak of “the good old days.” We have a song about it, Those … Continue reading →

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Fear; December 5. 2024

Posted on December 6, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says—    he who created you, Jacob,    he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” I have long loved the musical setting of the end of this verse, … Continue reading →

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Preparing the Way for the Lord; December 4, 2024

Posted on December 5, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling:“In the wilderness prepare    the way for the Lord;make straight in the desert    a highway for our God.” Different translations divide the first part of this differently, over whether the voice is in the wilderness or the road is … Continue reading →

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Anticipation; December 3, 2024

Posted on December 4, 2024 by jgarrott

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. What follows is a glorious description of the Messiah and His kingdom, so beautiful that it has caught the imagination of people down through … Continue reading →

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Reading the Bible; December 2, 2024

Posted on December 3, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 89:29 I will establish his line forever,    his throne as long as the heavens endure. Modern Jews should have a problem with this verse, because there is no reliable record of the genetic lineage of David today. In fact, the … Continue reading →

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Prophets and Prophecy; December 1, 2024

Posted on December 2, 2024 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 18:22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. Verses 15 and 18 have long been considered … Continue reading →

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