Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests at Shiloh. They are synonymous with worship gone wrong. They commodified worship and used their authority to take advantage of women temple workers. When priests or trusted spiritual leaders pervert and thus prevent worship, what hope do the people have that God remains...

Lord, help me to resist the urge to cling so closely to the ills of the world around me that I am unable to recognize how you will see us through. Amen.


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Lectionary Week
December 23–29, 2024
Scripture Overview

The boy Samuel worshiped and served God from a young age. He grows in stature and favor, the same description that will later be applied to the young Jesus in this week’s reading from Luke. The psalmist praises God for raising up a “horn” for the people. This “horn” is referred to elsewhere in the Psalms as being the True King from the line of David, identified later by Luke (1:69) as Jesus. Paul encourages the Colossians to let love rule in their community and to praise God with songs and hymns (such as the Psalms). The additional readings for this special week focus our minds on the Advent of the Lord, the amazing truth that “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14), as the prophets had prophesied long ago.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 9:2-7. Where in your world do you see darkness? What lies within your power to dispel it?
Read Psalm 148. How do you experience God’s creations worshiping and praising God? How do you join in that worship?
Read Colossians 3:12-17. How are you clothing yourself with love during this season?
Read Luke 2:41-52. When has a not-as-usual occurrence generated anxiety in your life? How was it resolved?

Respond by posting a prayer.