Isaiah prophesied a Messiah hundreds of years before the coming of Christ. Yet the hope for a Messiah endured through the centuries, and when Jesus came, He transformed the world and human society to an almost unimaginable degree. To understand Christmas, it is important for us to remember how different our world was before Jesus came into it—and how different our lives were before Jesus transformed them. In the character of Scrooge, we remember both the stingy Scrooge and the redeemed, generous Scrooge. If we forget how God has redeemed us (and our world), we will be tempted to base our lives on our own abilities rather than on God's presence and power.

Scripture - Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7

Isaiah prophesied a Messiah hundreds of years before the coming of Christ. Yet the hope for a Messiah endured through the centuries, and when Jesus came, He transformed the world and human society to an almost unimaginable degree. To understand Christmas, it is important for us to remember how different our world was before Jesus came into it—and how different our lives were before Jesus transformed them. In the character of Scrooge, we remember both the stingy Scrooge and the redeemed, generous Scrooge. If we forget how God has redeemed us (and our world), we will be tempted to base our lives on our own abilities rather than on God's presence and power.

Scripture - Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7

Rev. Bill Kilday

Scripture - John 1:1-5 RSV

Peter was instrumental in leading the early church.  His words preached at Pentecost gave meaning to what was transpiring.  His faithfulness in engaging with Cornelius, a Gentile, was a pivotal moment in church history, no longer a church of us, but of us and them.  Peter’s maturity as a follower of Jesus Christ is evident through scripture and is an example for us.  Peter is obedient and prayerful. 

We are called beyond what seems possible to share Christ, serve others, and grow in faith.  We, too, have a role in the larger story of God’s grace and love to those we know and those we do not.  We are called to go beyond our boundaries to declare the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - Acts 2:37-41; Acts 10

Peter was instrumental in leading the early church.  His words preached at Pentecost gave meaning to what was transpiring.  His faithfulness in engaging with Cornelius, a Gentile, was a pivotal moment in church history, no longer a church of us, but of us and them.  Peter’s maturity as a follower of Jesus Christ is evident through scripture and is an example for us.  Peter is obedient and prayerful. 

We are called beyond what seems possible to share Christ, serve others, and grow in faith.  We, too, have a role in the larger story of God’s grace and love to those we know and those we do not.  We are called to go beyond our boundaries to declare the truth of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - Acts 2:37-41; Acts 10

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appears multiple times to the disciples.  One such time is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  There, he and the disciples present fish again.  We see the connection in Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore at their jobs when he called them.  It is here that Jesus speaks with Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times.  A conversation about love and tending to Jesus’ sheep occurs.  Through this conversation, Jesus “reinstates”, thus calling Peter a second time to follow Jesus.  A call that Peter accepts gratefully. 

We too find ourselves again at the feet of Jesus, remorseful, disappointed, and Jesus meets us here too.  Jesus calls us again to follow.  We, too, have a choice to respond to the grace and love of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - John 21:15-17

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appears multiple times to the disciples.  One such time is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  There, he and the disciples present fish again.  We see the connection in Jesus meeting the disciples on the shore at their jobs when he called them.  It is here that Jesus speaks with Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times.  A conversation about love and tending to Jesus’ sheep occurs.  Through this conversation, Jesus “reinstates”, thus calling Peter a second time to follow Jesus.  A call that Peter accepts gratefully. 

We too find ourselves again at the feet of Jesus, remorseful, disappointed, and Jesus meets us here too.  Jesus calls us again to follow.  We, too, have a choice to respond to the grace and love of Jesus Christ. 

Scripture - John 21:15-17

Peter is there at the Last Supper, as are the other eleven disciples.  Jesus breaks the bread and takes the cup.  Jesus shares how they will all fall away that evening, the night of betrayal.  Peter confidently declares that he will not “fall away”.  Then Jesus speaks those famous words predicting that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.  Peter says he will be faithful unto death. 

Peter accompanies Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane and is present when Jesus is arrested.  He followed from a distance as they took Jesus.  When Peter was recognized as being associated with Jesus, he denied, not once, not twice, but three times, and then the rooster crows.  Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction, and he weeps bitterly.

We too stand confidently on the truth of who Jesus is, and we follow.  Following becomes costly, and we distance ourselves.  We find ourselves denying what we said we wouldn’t.  We come to the depths of our humanity, and we weep bitterly. 

 Scripture  - Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75

Peter is there at the Last Supper, as are the other eleven disciples.  Jesus breaks the bread and takes the cup.  Jesus shares how they will all fall away that evening, the night of betrayal.  Peter confidently declares that he will not “fall away”.  Then Jesus speaks those famous words predicting that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.  Peter says he will be faithful unto death. 

Peter accompanies Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane and is present when Jesus is arrested.  He followed from a distance as they took Jesus.  When Peter was recognized as being associated with Jesus, he denied, not once, not twice, but three times, and then the rooster crows.  Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction, and he weeps bitterly.

We too stand confidently on the truth of who Jesus is, and we follow.  Following becomes costly, and we distance ourselves.  We find ourselves denying what we said we wouldn’t.  We come to the depths of our humanity, and we weep bitterly. 

Scripture - Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75

Jesus often gathered with his disciples, instructing, particularly through asking questions.  One such question was when Jesus asked his disciples, “’ Who do people say that I am?”.  The disciples respond with examples of John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah.  Jesus takes the question to the next level, “’ Who do you say that I am?’”.  Peter answers, “’ You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.’”  A confession, an acknowledgement, a pivotal moment as Peter claims Jesus’ divinity.  Jesus is not another teacher; Jesus is the Messiah. 

Within Peter’s declaration, we are summoned to declare who Jesus is as well.  Jesus is more than a weekly scheduled event; he is the Messiah, our Savior, our God.  How do we declare this with our words and our actions?  We have a God, a Savior. 

Scripture - Matthew 16:13-19