Lessons for January 1, 2006 – First Sunday after Christmas

The first lesson

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
 
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. 11The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, filled with young plants springing up everywhere. 62:1Because I love Zion, because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch.  2The nations will see your righteousness. Kings will be blinded by your glory. And the Lord will give you a new name. 3The Lord will hold you in his hands for all to see—a splendid crown in the hands of God. (NLT)

Psalm 148
 
L.  Praise the Lord! 
C.  Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! 
L.  Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! 
C.  Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! 
L.  Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! 
C.  Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. 
L.  He established them forever and forever.
C.  His orders will never be revoked.
L.  Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, 
C.  fire and hail, snow and storm, wind and weather that obey him, 
L.  mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 
C.  wild animals and all livestock, reptiles and birds, 
L.  kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, 
C.  young men and maidens, old men and children. 
L.  Let them all praise the name of the Lord.
C.  For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! 
L.  He has made his people strong, honoring his godly ones—the people of Israel who are close to him.
C.  Praise the Lord!  (NLT)

The second lesson

Galatians 4:4-7
 
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. 7Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 2:22-40

Then it was time for the purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord." 24So they offered a sacrifice according to what was required in the law of the Lord—"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
 
29"Lord, now I can die in peace!
As you promised me, 
30I have seen the Savior 
31you have given to all people. 
32He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!"
 
33Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others. 35Thus, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." 36Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and was very old. She was a widow, for her husband had died when they had been married only seven years. 37She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem.  39When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom beyond his years, and God placed his special favor upon him.  (NLT)