Christmas 2B

Christmas 2B
(not used in 2011-2012 cycle)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Jeremiah 31:7-14 / Sirach 24:1-12
Roman Catholic reading: Sirach 24:1-4, 8-12 or use Epiphany Readings
Episcopal Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Psalm 147:12-20 / Wisdom of Solomon 10:15-21
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 or use Epiphany Readings
Episcopal Reading: Psalm 84

Ephesians 1:3-14
Roman Catholic reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 or use Epiphany Readings
Episcopal Reading: Ephesians1:3-6, 15-19a

John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Roman Catholic reading: John 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 or use Epiphany Readings
Episcopal Reading: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 or Luke 2:41-52 or Matthew 2:1-12

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

Texts:
- NRSV Lectionary readings from Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
- The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
- Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary.
- Lutheran lectionary readings, Year B, from the ELCA site.
- United Methodist lectionary readings, Year B..
- Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year B.
- Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
- ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
- Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
- PCUSA - Daily/Weekly Lectionary Readings.
Images and Movies:
- Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
- Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
  - Incarnation
Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2009. Commentaries on lectionary readings by J. Clinton McCann, Hans Weirsma, Holly Hearon, James Limburg.
- Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
- Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
- John Shearman's Lectionary, Christmas 2, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
- Jesus Now, Christmas 2B, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
- Rumors, for January 4, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
- Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
- "Flesh Made Word," Blogging toward Sunday, Tom Steagald, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
- "Voices from the Desert: New Year's Resolutions from out Monastic Mothers and Fathers," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
- "Wisdom, Made Particular," Greg Carey, Mykal Slack, Mona West, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
- The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2009.
- Articles from The Christian Century:
  - "Homeward Bound," Christine Pohl, 2005.
  - "Course Correction," Barbara Sholis, 2002.
  - "The Message and the Messenger," John Stendahl, 1997.
  - "Penetrating the Darkness," Gonald Goetz, 1988.
- "Living the Word," at Sojourners:
  - "Full Circle," Michaela Bruzzese, "Claiming Our Inheritance," 2009.
- Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
- "A Permanent Glimpse of God," the Rev. Dr. Thomas Lane Butts, Day 1, 2009.
- Selected Sermon, Christmas 2B (RCL), the Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- "Two Languages," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Moral Landscape of Creation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001. (John 1)
- Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Christmas, Year B, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
- Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages.
A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

The Text This Week's Christmas Resources Page.
Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
- Worship and Liturgy Resources, Christmas 2 by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas 2B, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- Liturgies Online, Christmas 2, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Sermons and Liturgies for Year B, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
- Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
- Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
- Prayers of the People, Year B - Christmas 2, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
- Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, CanticaNova Publications.
- Outside the Box, Sundays after Christmas, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
- Worship Resources, Christmas 2B, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
- "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
- Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Graphics & Multimedia:
- Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
- Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
- "Equipping Ourselves for a New Year," reflection by Steve Berneking, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
Hymns and Music:
- Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
  - Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas 2B, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
- Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
  - Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  - Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  - Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  - The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  - Hymn and Song Suggestions, Christmas 2B / Epiphany 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
  - Sing for Joy, Christmas 2, 2009. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- Lectionary Puzzles by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text (html) formats.
- Coloring Pages/Puzzles. Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com. (Scroll to bottom of page.)
With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
Drama (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
- Dramatic Reading, John 1/Genesis 1, Theresa Coleman, reverend mommy's random thoughts.
A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.