Find daily readings for this week below along with questions for reflection. Join (or begin!) the discussion in the comments. We’d love to hear from you about how reading the Bible daily is bringing you closer to God and one another.
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DECEMBER 28
Read: Matthew 2:1-12
Reflect: What questions do you have after reading this passage?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 29
Read: Matthew 2: 1-2
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
Reflect: A star appeared declaring the birth of Jesus during this time. If baby Jesus was born in 2020 what would appear to declare his birth?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 30
Matthew 2: 3-6
3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Reflect: Herod felt threatened over losing his power and control by a new leader. He wanted to control the future. How much control do we have over our future?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 31
Read: Matthew 2: 7-8
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
Reflect: We are told to “search diligently” for Jesus. Where do you look for Jesus in your daily life? When do you feel the most need to look for him? What does he offer you when you find him?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
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JANUARY 1
Read: Matthew 2: 9-10
9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Reflect: As the new year begins, where would the star lead you and what would you find that would overwhelm you with joy?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
JANUARY 2
Read: Matthew 2:11-12
11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Reflect: How would you have reacted to meeting baby Jesus? Would it be the same reaction the wise men had?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
JANUARY 3
Read: Matthew 2:1-12
Reflect: How will this message influence what you do this week?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
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I have very little control over my future. What actions I take today or have taken in the past certainly determine, in a way, what will happen. But there are many other actions taken which also influence my future. So I trust in God and God’s plan even when the way is dark. Otherwise, I live in constant fear as Herod did.
I agree with Pam. As much as I try to control my future, I finally have to admit that I can’t see clearly enough to even begin to succeed at it. I feel such peace when I finally turn things over to God and turn my attention to discerning what His will is for my life.