Tag Archives: Christian

A gift for you

JESUS MAFA. Visit of the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48292 [retrieved January 7, 2024].

The Magi opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

We carry so many gifts in us. Kindness. Hospitality. Respect. Creativity. Forgiveness. Generosity. Good humor. Helpfulness. Love.

Whenever we offer our gifts to others, we offer them to the Lord.

Today I will open the treasure of my heart and share one of my gifts with someone in need.

Clothed in love

Holy Family

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

May I live each day clothed in the love of God, neighbor, and self.

Today I will intentionally walk in the ways of the Lord. I will look for and honor God’s presence in every person.

Love makes all things possible

Fourth Sunday of Advent

“For nothing will be impossible for God.” Luke 1:37

Trust God. Let go of fear. Expect good things to happen. Share a smile, share a meal. Look for God in everyone. Bless the world with your love and respect and kindness.

Today I will remember I carry God’s love with and in me, and nothing will be impossible.

Embody goodness

Third Sunday of Advent

Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Kindness is good. Patience is good. Respect for all people is good. Forgiveness is good. Giving thanks is good. Compassion is good.

God’s love for us is good and calls us to turn away from the dark to embrace the light.

Today I will seek the light of Christ to help me embody goodness with my words, actions, and behaviors.

Give comfort

Second Sunday of Advent

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

We are all frail people who are suffering from something voiced or unvoiced, something accepted or denied, something tangible or intangible.

Today I will do as God asks and offer a word or gesture of comfort to everyone I meet, including myself.

Have faith

First Sunday of Advent

God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9a

Have faith in goodness.

Have faith in love.

Have faith in mercy.

Have faith in compassion.

Have faith in God’s vision of peace and unity for our world. Watch for it. Participate in it. The vision will not fail. God is faithful.

Honor Christ in each other

Montreal Soup Kitchen, 1931

“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'”Matthew 25:37-30

Today I will bring a little food to the food pantry, smile a welcome to someone I don’t know, write a note someone who is ill or troubled—and honor Christ in each precious person.

Christ light

Rembrandt (1606-1669)
La parabole des talents

For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

Our light is the Christ, the light of goodness, the light of love, the light of compassion, the light of mercy, the light of forgiveness, the light of healing.

Today I will shine my light of goodness and love wherever I find myself.

Fill up with wisdom

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Les vierges sages
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum of Art

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. Wisdom 6:12

The wisdom of God is in our hearts. Our hearts know how to love, how to forgive, how to welcome others, how to discern truth and justice.

Today I will replenish my supply of patience, mercy, kindness, and compassion by spending five minutes alone with the Lord. I will find wisdom by listening to the love in my heart.

Christ my teacher

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Malheur à vous, scribes et pharisiens
gouache over graphite on gray wove paper
between 1886 and 1894
Brooklyn Museum of Art

Jesus said, “You have but one teacher, the Christ.” Matthew 23:8b

May my life—every word, action, and attitude—center on what Christ has taught me:
Welcome everyone.
Forgive everyone.
Love everyone.

Today I will find peace in carrying out the lessons Christ my teacher has taught me.