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 RCL: Psalm 84 or Psalm 84:1-8

Ephesians 1:3-14
Roman Catholic reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18
    or use Epiphany Readings
Episcopal RCL: Ephesians 1:3-6, 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 RCL: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 OR Luke 2:41-52 OR Matthew 2:1-12

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal/Anglican Lectionary (RCL).
  • Lutheran lectionary readings, Year C, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings..
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year C.
  • 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.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010. Commentaries on lectionary readings by Terence E. Fretheim, Jerome Creach, Marion L. Soards, and Ginger Barfield.
  • "Close to God's Heart," reflection by Kate Huey, Christmas 2, 2010, SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Christmas 2, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Christmas 2C, 2010, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Christmas 2C, 2009, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Rumors, for January 3, 2010, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • Second Sunday after Christmas, January 4, 2004. Preaching Helps by Aaron Couch, Currents in Theology and Mission.
  • Lectionary Study, Christmas 2C, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2010.
  • Readings, Analysis of Texts and Preaching Paths, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • Lectionary Study, Christmas 2C, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 January, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• 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.
  • Jeremiah 31:7-14 - Sirach 24:1-12
  • Psalm 147 - Wisdom 10:15-21
  • Ephesians 1:3-14
  • John 1:1-18
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • "Creation and Redemption," George C Heider, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2010.
  • Sermon Brainwave, January 3, 2010. Lectionary podcast featuring Profs. Karoline Lewis, David Lose and Matt Skinner, discussing the week's passages in light of current events. At Luther Seminary's WorkingPreacher.org.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, A Light Shines in the Darkness Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2010. 11th hour preacher party.
  • "Wisdom Made Particular," Greg Carey, Mykal Slack, Mona West, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2010. (LGBT perspective)
  • "The Whole Package," Debra Dean Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2010.
  • Lectionary Blogging, John 1:1-18, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
  • "The Fulfillment of Time: When Creation in Genesis Meets Redemption in Jesus," Christmas 2C, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
  • Daily Reflection, Christmas 2, Jeanne Schuler, Creighton University, 2010.
  • The Holy and Wholly Ordinary, Pastor Sharron R. Lucas, Stewardship of Life Institute, 2010.
  • Articles from The Christian Century:
    • "Homeward Bound," Christine D. Pohl, 2005.
    • "Course Correction," Barbara Sholis, 2002.
  • Sojourners "Living the Word," archives:
    • "The Great Gatherer," Walter Brueggemann, "Wondrous, Inexplicable, Demanding Newness," 2010.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year C. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Sermons that Work, Christmas 2C, Katerina Whitley, ECUSA, 2010.
  • "Christmastide: A Reminder Where Our Hearts Belong," the Rev. William McCord Thigpen, III, Day 1, 2010.
  • Selected sermon, Christmas 2 (Epiphany Gospel), by the Very Rev. Charles Hoffacker, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2004.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • "Close to God's Heart," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, i.UCC.org, 2010.
  • Lectionary Notes, 2nd Sunday after Christmas, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Miracle Born after Mother Assaulted," Faith Lens, ELCA, 2010.
  • 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.
• A wonderful, comprehensive list of links & resources for Advent and Christmas at Richard and Charlene Fairchild's award-winning A Holy Christmas.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Gathering, Christmas 2, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Shining Lights," Christmas 2, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Christmas 2C, 2010, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year C, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Prayers of the People, Year C - Christmas 2, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • A Prayer for Christmas 2, Rev. Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer, 2010.
  • Offertory Prayers for January, 2010, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Starters for Sunday, 3 January, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Meditation Prompts and Prayers, "Word Made Flesh," Christmas 2C, 2010. Suzanne Guthrie, At the Edge of the Enclosure.
• Graphics and Multimedia (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • 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.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year C index.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Shining Lights," Christmas 2, 2010. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Commercial Site: "The Word Became Flesh," Visual Liturgy/Film, The Work of the People.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL, Christmas 2, 2010 at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Bulletin Backs with Stewardship Messages, December 2009 - February 2010, Worship Ways, UCC.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Christmas 2C, 2010, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "The Lord is Our Hope and Redeemer," reflection by Tenny Thomas, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • Original Hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette: On This Day of Celebration Tune:  HYMN TO JOY 8.7.8.7 D "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Christmas 2C, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Psalm Settings:
    • "Praise to the Lord," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
    • Psalm 147:1-11, 20c set to Hymn to Joy (87 87 D), Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Christmas 2C, 2009, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • 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.
    • The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • Traditional Hymns for Blended and Contemporary Worship Volume One: Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, by Dean McIntyre, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts. Direct link to Christmas 2.
    • Gathering, Christmas 2, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2009.
    • Together to Celebrate, Christmas 2C, 2010, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Starters for Sunday, 3 January, 2010. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Sing for Joy playlist. Christmas 2C, 2010. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• With Children:
  • Gathering, Christmas 2, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc, 2010.
• 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.