Welcome to another opportunity to spend time with the Lord. This time we cele- brate the twelve days of Christmas.The Christmas season begins on December 25 and continues through January 5. Epiphany - the church festival celebrating the arrival of the Wisemen - follows immediately on January 6. In this booklet you will find new opportunities for a daily time of worship and meditation on Scripture. Daily readings from Christmas Day through Epiphany are listed. (December 25- January 6) Use the seasonal Morning and Evening Prayer to invite the Lord into your day as you are able. Also included are some additional ideas for creating an opportunity for family devotions. Dive in or continue on with confidence, knowing that our loving God eagerly waits to meet with you in these quiet (or not so quiet) moments. The Twelve Days of A One Year Journey through the Bible Beginning January 1, the Saint Lucas family will work through the Bible in one year. The daily reading plan includes both an Old and New Testament reading and readings from Psalms and Proverbs. Read all of the reading each day in one Christmas sitting (or read part in the morning and the rest in the evening), or focus on either the Old or New Testament reading. Devotional ideas for all ages The first month’s readings are included on a separate sheet with this booklet.The reading schedule is also available at openthebook.org. There is also a link to pur- chase the One Year Bible if you so choose. 1 Family Devotions Readings for for the The Twelve Days Twelve Days of Christmas of Christmas Some thoughts on cultivating a successful devotional time together as a family: “Family devotions can be a very useful device.....Little by little we accustomed our children to sitting still and listening and even participating in family devotions. We Friday, December 25: Luke 2:1-20 did it day after day; it was a part of their lives. Saturday, December 26: Matthew 1:1-17 One important thing that [we] learned ... was that our attitude makes a huge dif- ference. If we want our children to enjoy participating in devotions and to learn God's Word joyfully, then they must sense that these are important to us per- Sunday, December 27: Matthew 1:18-25 sonally. ... We have to lead the way.” Complete Sally Clarkson article can be found at sallyclarkson.com/blog/2016/10/31/reaching-our-childrens-hearts-family-devotions Monday, December 28: John 1:1-18 Ideas for the Twelve Days of Christmas Tuesday, December 29: Titus 2:11-15 1.Research the history of the twelve days of Christmas in the Christian church. Wednesday, December 30: Hebrews 1:1-14 (It’s more than the Christmas carol). Find out how other Christians around the world celebrate Christmas. Thursday, December 31: Psalm 98 2. Create a nativity scene at home with family members, pets, stuffed animals, dolls. Interact with the story and see what comes of it. Friday, January 1: Luke 2:21-40 3. Continue to use picture books and coloring books. Saturday, January 2: Luke 2:41-52 4. Encourage your children to write their own picture book. Create a simple Sunday, January 3: John 8:12-20 book using folded blank sheets of paper and let them go to town with art supplies. Let it be their own project. Monday, January 4: Isaiah 60:1-9 5. How do Christians all over the world represent the nativity in the artwork of their own culture? The included link shows modern nativity paintings from a Tuesday, January 5: Psalm 72 wide variety of cultures. Enjoy looking at these paintings with your kids. https://thejesusquestion.org/2011/12/25/nativity-paintings-from-around-the- world/ Wednesday, January 6 (Epiphany): Matthew 2:1-12 3 4 Song: (to read or sing) - melody CW 44 Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly Break forth, O beauteous heav'nly light, and usher in the morning; light,to herald our salvation; Twelve Days of O shepherds, shrink not with affright, He stoops to earth–the God of might, Christmas but hear the angel's warning. our hope and expectation. This Child, now weak in infancy, He comes in human flesh to dwell, Morning Prayer our confidence and joy shall be; our God with us, Immanuel; the pow'r of Satan breaking, the night of darkness ending, (Matins) our peace eternal making. our fallen race befriending. Lighting of Candle Prayers for Others Opening Words In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Lord’s Prayer “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to Blessing worship him.” Matthew 2: 1-2 May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us: his light to guide us, his pres- ence to shelter us, his peace to unite us. Amen Prayer: Oh, Lord God, as the shepherds and the wisemen did at the time of your birth, give to us also the desire to worship you. Send your Spirit to bless that desire so that we grow in love and understanding of you and your ways. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen. Reading (see reading for the day on page 4) Time of Silence to consider with the Lord what was read. 5 6 Come, then, let us hasten yonder! Twelve Days of Here let all, great and small, kneel in awe and wonder! Love him who with love is yearning! Christmas Hail the star that from far bright with hope is burning! Evening Prayer Thee, dear Lord, with heed I’ll cherish, (Vespers) Live to thee, and with thee, dying, shall not perish; But shall dwell with thee for ever, Far on high, in the joy that can alter never. Prayers for Others Lighting of Candle Opening Words Lord’s Prayer In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Blessing Luke 2:19 Lord God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us also from the fear of Christmas Prayer: our enemies that we may live in peace and quietness, through the merits of O Lord our God, may we ponder and treasure up all that you have to teach us. Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one Send your Spirit to guide us in our time with you. In Jesus Name. Amen. God, now and forever. Amen Reading (see reading for the day on page 4) Time of Silence to consider with the Lord what was read. Song (to read or sing) - melody CW 37 All my heart this night rejoices as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices. "Christ is born," their choirs are singing 'til the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing. Hark! a voice from yonder manger, soft and sweet, doth entreat,"Flee from woe and danger. Brethren, from all ills that grieve you, you are freed; all you need I will surely give you." 5 6 Nativity, The Birth of Jesus Christ, Joseph Mulamba-Mandangi, 2001. Woonbo Kim Ki-chang, 1952-53, God Is With Us, Adoration of the Magi Hanna Varghese, 2006. Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) .