Almost Christmas

Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Ezekiel 11:19-20

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Does Forgiveness Matter?

Jewel sings, "In the end only kindness matters." (Is this true?)

Matthew 6:15 

But if you do not forgive others their sins, 

your Father will not forgive your sins.

Do you know anyone who seems to hate everyone?

No small slight is forgotten. It is recalled, recounted, forever.

If you ask them about it you will be met with rage.

Small things. Medium things.

Something done to someone else.

If you are ever guilty, you are always guilty. 

It's not much, but enough 

to coil around a heart and choke the life inside. 

And let's not talk about me. 

(Do you ever remember a fault?)

Do these little things matter? Can unforgiveness drag you down? How far?

Prayer for America

Let us see

From sea to shining sea

See all

See everything

What has been hidden from us

What we have willfully ignored

Corruption

Deception

This war and that one

Mysterious coincidences

Hiding in plain sight

For us to find

When we are ready

Open our eyes

Fully