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Episodes
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Twelve Days to Christmas
Introduction
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Today we start a "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Each study will be, by necessity, just brief introductions to the themes contained within them.
The birth of Jesus Christ is the most celebrated around the world. The celebrations transcend cultures, peoples, and languages. The celebrations are also just as diverse. Of course most people stop with Jesus being a baby and continue no further with Him. Jesus Christ is the most unique person in history. Jesus Christ is also the most divisive person to be found at any time and anywhere. Almost everyone has an opinion about Him, even if that opinion is based on ignorance, silence or misinformation.
As Christians we believe that Jesus' birth was the culmination of thousands of years of God telling the world that He was coming. From the time of the Fall when people showed active rebellion and disobedience towards God in Genesis 3, God was planning the time when He would step into history in the man, Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that the birth, life and mission of Jesus Christ is the aim and focus of attention. We see it in the stories of people like Abraham and Moses. We see it in the nation of Israel, which was to be God's light to all the nations. We see it in the Israelite sacrificial system and law. We see it during the time of the Judges and the Kings. We especially see it through the prophets.
The whole Old Testament is joined together, because it all speaks about this baby, Jesus Christ. This baby, who was both 100% human and 100% divine, grew in wisdom and stature. This baby was born in order that He would die on a cross some 33 years later. He did not die for his own sins, but for the sins of the entire world - all past, present and future sins. This baby was born to die so that the entire world may have life and life everlasting, if each individual chooses to accept it. Let us discover together what two people had to say about him. These twelve studies will based in the book of Isaiah and the book of Zechariah. Firstly, let me introduce these two books to you.
Isaiah
The author is self-identified as Isaiah, and his name means "The Lord Saves". Isaiah wrote around the same time as Amos, Hosea and Micah. He started about 740BC and it was during this time, that Israel was declining and the Assyrian Empire rapidly expanding. In his writings, Isaiah reveals a great deal regarding God's judgment on sin and salvation from sin. During these studies, as we have seen, will primarily focus on the later chapters.
Key verses are:
Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this. Isaiah 53:5-6 - But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Zechariah
The author, again, is self-identified, in this case Zechariah. Zechariah, a young man, was not only a prophet, but also a member of a priestly family. He was born in Babylon and had returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel's leadership. Zechariah was active around the same time as the prophet Haggai. This period of time, 520BC to 480BC, occurred in the postexilic period after Israel was restored from Babylonian captivity.
Key verses are
Zechariah 8:3 - Thus says Yahweh: "I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called ‘The City of Truth;' and the mountain of Yahweh of Armies, ‘The Holy Mountain.'" Zechariah 9:9 - Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. So there we have a very brief introduction to the book of Isaiah and the book of Zechariah. Thank you.
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Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
The O Antiphons - Emmanuel
We continue looking at the 7 O Antiphons used by some parts of the church in their Christmas worship. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today Is Day 7 - O Emmanuel
God with us, our King and Law-giver, desired of the nations and their salvation, you came to save us, Lord our God.
Old Testament reading:
Isaiah 7:13-14 - Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
New Testament Readings:
Matthew 1:23 - ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 4:11-12 - Jesus is ‘“the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’
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Saturday Dec 07, 2024
Saturday Dec 07, 2024
The O Antiphons - Rex Gentium
We continue looking at the 7 O Antiphons used by some parts of the church in their Christmas worship. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today is day 6 - Rex Gentium
King of the Nations for whom they long, the corner-stone who makes of both one, you came and delivered humanity whom you made from clay.
Old Testament readings:
Genesis 2:7 - Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Isaiah 2:4 - He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more.
Isaiah 9:7 - Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
Haggai 2:8-9 - “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty. “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the LORD Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the LORD Almighty.’
New Testament reading:
Ephesians 2:14-16 - For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
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Friday Dec 06, 2024
Friday Dec 06, 2024
The O Antiphons - Oriens
We continue looking at the 7 O Antiphons used by some parts of the church in their Christmas worship. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today is day 5 - Oriens
Morning Star, splendour of eternal light and sun of justice, you came and illumined those seated in darkness and the shadow of death.
Old Testament readings are:
Isaiah 9:2 – The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Zechariah 6:12-13 - Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.”
Malachi 4:2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
New Testament readings are:
Luke 1:8-10 - Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshippers were praying outside.
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
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Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
The O Antiphons - O Clavis David
In some parts of the church, they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today our Antiphon is O Clavis David
Our Old Testament readings are Isaiah 9:6 & Isaiah 22:21-22
Isaiah 9:6For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 22:21-22 - I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.
Our New Testament reading is Revelation 3:21-22
Revelation 3:21-22 - Here I am! Jesus! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
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Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
The O Antiphons - Radix Jesse
In some parts of the church, they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today our Antiphon is Radix Jesse.
Our Old Testament readings are Jeremiah 23:5-6 & Micah 5:1
Jeremiah 23:5-6 “The days are surely coming,” says the LORD,”when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ’The LORD is our righteousness.’”
Micah 5:1 - Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek.
Our New Testament reading is Revelation 22:16-17
Revelation 22:16-17 - “It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
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Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
The O Antiphons - Adonai
In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Today our Antiphon is Adonai. Ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the Law on Sinai, you came to redeem us with outstretched arms!
Our Old Testament readings are:
Exodus 3:1-4, Isaiah 11:1-3b-5, Isaiah 33:22
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Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
The O Antiphons - Sapientia
In some parts of the church they use as part of their Christmas worship, these seven O antiphons. Each of them addresses Jesus Christ using a Messianic title drawn from Old Testament prophecy.
Read backwards, the initials of each title in Latin form the words “Ero Cras” or "Tomorrow I come" – looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The seven antiphons which we will look at individually over the next 7 days are:
- Sapientia - Wisdom
- Adonai - Holy Lord
- Radix Jesse - Root of Jesse
- Clavis David - Key of David
- Oriens - Morning Star
- Rex Gentium - King of the Nations
- Emmanuel - God with us
Today our Antiphon is Sapientia. Our Old Testament readings are:
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Isaiah 11:1-3
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Isaiah 28:29.
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Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Gospel Harmony of the Christmas Events
It is the beginning of Advent today! Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, waiting to celebrate joyfully the birth of Jesus at Christmas and look forward to His promised return. It’s a time to reflect, anticipate, and align our hearts with the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings.Today we have a harmony of the Christmas Nativity from all 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each Gospel gives us a section of the story, therefore telling it from different perspectives.
Our Gospel readings are:
1. Pre-existence of Christ - John 1:1-18
2. Gabriel visits Mary - Luke 1:26-38
3. Mary visits Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-56
4. Angel visits Joseph - Matthew 1:18-24
5. Birth of Jesus Christ - Luke 2:1-7
6. Shepherds visit Jesus - Luke 2:8-20
7. Magi visit Jesus - Matthew 2:1-12
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Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
WOW - JOY!
Joy is Jesus Over Yourself! Joy results from being in relationship with Jesus! Joy is not a mere emotion! Joy stems from seeking to obey God in all things and through all facets of human experience! Joy is through sacrificial love, through testimony and through praise!
As Christians we are members of God's Joy orchestra! It is our joy and to our glory to give God glory in all things. We turn in joy and admiration to a God who one day will cause all the earth to fear and tremble before Him. Go share your joy with others!
Joy can be stillness within! Joy can be bubbling effervescently from out of you! Go with joy even in the midst of troubles, pain and suffering.
True joy was exhibited by Jesus, for as it is written "Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," (Hebrews 12:2)