Luke 2:1-20 Translation: The Message (Eugene Peterson's paraphrase)

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?     

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

What God-given treasures do you hold deep within yourself?

Additional texts:
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14

Matthew 1:18-25Translation: NRSV

3 Questions:

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?  

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

How has God shown up for you in a difficult situation? 

Additional texts

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7

What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?    

Toward what is God calling you in this text?  

What good news do you want people to hear? 


Additional texts:
Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
Luke 1:46-55
James 5:7-10

Romans 15:4-13 from The Message paraphrase by Rev. Eugene Peterson

3 Questions for this week:
1. What word, phrase or image strikes you in this text?
2. Toward what is God calling you in this text?
3. How have you been welcomed by people different from you?

Text for Advent 1 from the Revised Common Lectionary. 

Kevin & Nathan launch our first podcast. This episode gives us an opportunity to introduce who we are, why we are doing this, share about the format and a couple of disclaimers.