In 2006 Year B in the Sunday Lectionary cycle the Gospel reading is usually from Mark This is the shortest and earliest Gospel written around A D 70 probably at Rome Mark was the first to provide a narrative framework or plot for the traditional sayings and stories related to Jesus He seems

The magi who seem to have been Persian priests and or Babylonian astronomers came to Israel in search of the ldquo King of the Jews rdquo the Gentile translation for ldquo messiah rdquo or ldquo anointed one rdquo In ancient Israel priests prophets and kings were anointed In some Jewish

The first words that Jesus the Word of God speaks in John rsquo s Gospel are directed to two prospective disciples sent to him by John the Baptist Jesus asks them ldquo What are you looking for rdquo At the beginning of any spiritual journey it is important to ask what it is that we seek and d

In recent years there has been a lively controversy about ldquo de-Christianizing rdquo Christmas We all now speak vaguely about ldquo the holidays rdquo In some circles the greeting ldquo Merry Christmas rdquo has become forbidden speech Whether one regards this debate as serious or silly

Names are important All of us like to be called by our names It indicates recognition and even friendship We are annoyed when someone gets our name wrong We are embarrassed when we do not know or forget the name of someone we should know When others make fun of our name or deliberately misprono

quot But you promised rdquo Most parents have heard this lament from their children more than once A promise is a declaration that something will or will not happen A promise indicates what may be expected A promise demands and elicits trust The Scripture texts for the Fourth Sunday of Adven