Christian Reflection and Prayer

HOW ABOUT FERGUSON? (1)

Michael Brown was a good kid, by accounts of those who
knew him during his short life. But that’s not why his death
is tragic. His death isn’t tragic because he was a sweet kid
on his way to college the next week. His death is tragic
because he was a human being and his life mattered. The
Good Kid narrative might provoke some sympathy but what
it really does is support the lie that as a rule black people,
black men in particular, have a norm of violence or criminal
behavior. The Good Kid narrative says that this kid didn’t
deserve to die because his goodness was the exception to
the rule. This is wrong. This kid didn’t deserve to die
because he was a human being and black lives matter.

This post originally appeared at janeewoods.com. Follow
Janee on Twitter at @janeepwoods.

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you
not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and
rivers in the desert.   Isaiah 43:19

Voice

For last year's words belong to last year's language and
next year's words await another voice. And to make an
end is to make a beginning.
-T.S. Eliot

Prayer

God, as we celebrate a new year, we celebrate your new
creation that is springing forth. As we give new voice to
the new year's words, give us eyes to perceive your work.
Amen.

Epiphany

Read Matthew 2:9-11.
And going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His
mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. ...
Matthew 2:11A

The end has come. It's the end of our long Advent and
Christmas journey. The Nativity set is finally complete as the
wise men enter the scene and taken their place bowing down
before Jesus in worship.

It was a long journey for the wise men. After having traveled a
great distance from their land and after having met with King
Herod in Jerusalem, they set out for the final leg of their j
ourney. And that's when they saw the star that they had seen
in the East. It led them south to Bethlehem and stopped over
the place where the King of the Jews was to be found.
Matthew captured their great joy at seeing the star again when
he wrote, "And when they saw the star, they rejoiced
exceedingly with great joy" (Matthew 2:10).

Their gifts are precious reminders of the greatness of this Child
before whom they bow in worship. This Child who became one
of us is God's Anointed One. He took our place under the Law
to clothe us in His righteousness so that we might be worthy to
stand in heaven before our perfect Father. It is Jesus the
Messiah who took our guilt upon Himself and suffered and died
for our sins. This He did that we might be saved from damnation
and inherit eternal life with God in heaven.

That is where you and I stand this Epiphany. Our long journey
through life continues, but each day, like the wise men, we draw
nearer to our Father's heavenly home. There we will enter, bow
down, and worship our Savior -- the King of kings.

One day our long journey through this life will end. And when we
see the light of heaven our hearts will be overjoyed just like the
wise men as they saw the star again. Then we will enter paradise
to remain forever. There we will join Mary and Joseph, the
shepherds, the angels, and along with the wise men, we too will
fall down in worship and praise before Jesus Christ our Savior,
God our Father, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter.

THE PRAYER:

 Heavenly Father, thank You for the completion of this Advent and
Christmas journey. Continue to guide me in my life's journey by
Your Word and Sacraments, in company with my brothers and
sisters in faith, until I enter Your home for Your eternal gathering. I
ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)