Lessons for December 31, 2006 – First Sunday of Christmas The first lesson 1 Samuel 2:18-20 Now Samuel, though only a boy, was the Lord's helper. He wore a linen tunic just like that of a priest. [19] Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. [20] Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord." Meanwhile, as young Samuel grew taller, he also continued to gain favor with the Lord and with the people. (NLT) Psalm 148 L. Praise the Lord! C. Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! L. Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! C. Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above! L. Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! C. Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, L. for he issued his command, and they came into being. C. He established them forever and forever. 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, wild animals and all livestock, C. reptiles and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, L. young men and maidens, old men and children. C. Let them all praise the name of the Lord. L. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! C. He has made his people strong, honoring his godly ones— L. the people of Israel who are close to him. C. Praise the Lord! (NLT) The second lesson Colossians 3:12-17 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. [16] Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. [17] And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson Luke 2:41-52 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. [42] When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. [43] After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first, [44] because they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. [45] When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. [46] Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them. [47] And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." [49] "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." [50] But they didn't understand what he meant. [51] Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart. [52] So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him. (NLT)