Christmas daybook, 12: Arise, shine, for your light has come

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you?

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Adoration of the Magi from the St Thomas Altarpiece

Meister Francke

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(In addition to the following Scripture passages, you are also welcome to read with me the Daily Devotional for Christmastide from Christ Church of Austin here.)

Isaiah 60:1-6

60:1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

60:2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.

60:3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

60:4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

60:5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

60:6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Matthew 2:1-12

2:1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 

2:2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 

2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 

2:4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 

2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 

2:6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" 

2:7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 

2:8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 

2:9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 

2:10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 

2:11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

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pray 

We bless you, Abba, Father, for you have visited your people in one like us in all things but sin, and in human fragility you have revealed the face of divinity. Gather into your arms all the peoples of the world, so that in your embrace we may find blessing, peace, and the fullness of our inheritance as your daughters and sons. Amen.  (source)

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listen & sing along

Traditional carol: As with gladness men of old

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a house blessing for Epiphany

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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Christmas daybook, 8: He blesses your children

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you?

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Τα κάλαντα’ (‘Carols’),

 Νικηφόρος Λύτρας (Nikiphoros Lytras) 

source

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Psalm 147: Praise the Lord...He blesses your children

(You are welcome to read with me the Daily Devotional for Christmastide from Christ Church of Austin here.)

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pray 

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (source)

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listen

All Glory Be to Christ (To the tune of Auld Lang Syne.)

Mars Hill Music

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do

on the ninth day of Christmas,"He gives snow like wool"

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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Christmas daybook, 4: and death shall be no more

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you?

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Slaughter of the Innocents, detail

1611-1612

Reni, Guido

source

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Revelation 21:1-8: and death shall be no more

(You are welcome to read with me the Daily Devotional for Christmastide from Christ Church of Austin here.)

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pray 

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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listen

Johann Michael Haydn: Mass and Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Innocents

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do

savor food

on the fourth day of Christmas, my momma and daddy
 made breakfast for Brian and me

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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Christmas daybook, 3: we have heard, seen, touched and now tell

My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. Join me, won't you?

look

Adoration of the Shepherds from Portinari Altarpiece
Hugo van der Goes, 1440-1482
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy

source

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read 

1 John 1:1-2:6: we have heard, seen, & touched and now tell 

(You are welcome to read with me the Daily Devotional for Christmastide from Christ Church of Austin here.)

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pray 

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

The Word of Life (In a Byre Near Bethlehem)

Zac Hicks 

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do

go outside

12 ways to savor 12 days of Christmas

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