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2nd Sunday after Christmas
First Lesson
Micah 4:1-5,5:2-4
1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain
of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people
shall flow unto it.
2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up
to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob;
and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:
for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD
from Jerusalem.
3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations
afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and
their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig
tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD
of hosts hath spoken it.
5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god,
and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and
ever.
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto
me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which
travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren
shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in
the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide:
for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
QUESTIONS - Micah 4:1-5,5:2-4. How close are we to these days? When will this come to pass? RESOLVE.
Second Lesson
Luke 2:21-32
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising
of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of
the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law
of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to
present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that
openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in
the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should
not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And
he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought
in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according
to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel.
QUESTIONS - Luke 2:21-32. How would I have felt, had I been Simeon? What part of the daily office has Simeon's words in it? Simeon went to the temple "by the Spirit." (V. 27) Have I ever been so guided by God to do something? RESOLVE.