2^nd Sunday after Christmas

Year C:  January 3, 2016

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14

How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment:  “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” Where do people left with next to nothing find hope? Professor Bo Lim suggests the assurance shared in Jeremiah’s Book of Comfort “provides the hope to enable the exiles to not despair when restoration seems so distant.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=809) How I Learned Geography  is the story of a Polish child living in exile with his family during World War II. For Uri, hope is found in a large, colorful world map purchased by his father. With this story and the text from Jeremiah, we are invited to wonder about the ways our imaginations can be stirred by hope, even in the midst of sorrow and despair.

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment:  In her comments on this text, Carolyn Brown highlights two valuable themes to explore with children: God chose us before we could choose God and Jesus gives us forgiveness. (http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/11/year-c-second-sunday-after-christmas.html) The good news is that our place in the family is not really about who we are, but who God and Jesus are. Porcupette Finds a Family explores the experience of adoption. Mother Bear expresses grace, love, and care to Porcupette, even when she lashes out and becomes prickly. The story of Mother Bear and Porcupette serves to remind us that there is nothing we can do to keep God from loving us. Like Porcupette, we can find comfort in our identity as beloved ones, let down our quills, and practice loving in return.

Gospel Reading:  John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Night Lights by Susan Gal

(Written for ages 2-5)

Comment:  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” A number of children express fear of the dark—something scary might be waiting, but we don’t know, because we are unable to see. Night Lights is a simple picture book that helps children remember that even the smallest light can change one’s experience of darkness. In our world we seem to be bombarded by darkness. We all need reminders of the light to help ease our fears and anxieties and to propel us forward on the paths God calls us to travel. Using this text and story, help your congregation identify experiences of light in your community and the world.

We welcome back Noell Rathbun-Cook, Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna, as our Lectionary Links writer for the next four weeks.