Prepare O Bethlehem: Reflections on the Scripture Readings for the Christmas-Epiphany Season

Prepare O Bethlehem is a collection of pastoral reflections on the Scripture readings that appear during the Christmas-Epiphany season. At Christmas, we prepare to once again receive Jesus into our lives, fi rst as an infant, but also as our Lord, King and Savior. Ultimately, however, we receive him as the Word made flesh and we have "beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." (John 1:14). Th is Word comes to us through the very words of scripture, for it is here, in the Old and New Testaments where we encounter the good news of our salvation. As we read through the scripture lessons for Christmas, Epiphany, and the Meeting of the Lord we are reminded that we are given the greatest gift of all, who is Jesus Christ himself. Unfortunately, the true "reason for the season" is oft en forgotten as we are bombarded by a myriad of holiday planning, parties, and activities that surround the holiday season. Hopefully we can take a few precious moments out of our busy schedules and patiently read the Word of God as we once again prepare to meet our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God.