Thought for Thursday December 31

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

John 1: 1 – 18 What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Does the darkness ever overcome me? Do I sometimes look for the darkness i.e. pay close attention to all of the negative stuff that is or might be happening in the world?

Action: Resolve to pay close attention to the good going on in the world instead of obsessing about the bad.

Thought for Wednesday December 30

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Luke 2: 36 – 40 She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

How do I worship? Do I put a lot of thought into it?

Action: Worship God today in a different way than is usual for you.

Thought for Tuesday December 29

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Luke 2: 22 – 35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Do I know anyone like this? Would anyone ever describe me this way?

Action: Work on being righteous (not self-righteous) and devout.

Thought for Monday December 28

Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Matthew 2: 13 – 18 The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Is “run away and hide” the advice I would expect from the God who sent plagues to Egypt, wiped out the Amalekites, and destroyed Jericho? Does the birth of Jesus seem to usher in a new era in God’s dealings with his people?

Action: Make a point of doing something nice for the “innocent” people around you.

Thought for Wednesday December 23

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Luke 1: 57 – 66 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.

With whom will I be rejoicing this Christmas? If I had my pick of anyone to rejoice with, who would it be?

Action: Get ready to rejoice with whomever you are spending Christmas.

Thought for Tuesday December 22

My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”
My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Luke 1: 46 – 56 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

Am I rejoicing in God? What am I feeling as Christmas draws near?

Action: Start relaxing now so you can enjoy Christmas.

Thought for Monday December 21

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield,
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust.
Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

Luke 1: 39 – 45 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

When was the last time I leaped for joy? Is there enough joy in my life?

Action: Plan some joy in your life.

Thought for Friday December 18

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Matthew 1: 18 – 25 Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

Am I ever afraid to do what is right? How do I overcome my fears?

Action: This weekend don’t be afraid to ___________________ .

Thought for Thursday December 17

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Matthew 1: 1 – 17 Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok.


What do I get out of the annual reading of Jesus’ genealogy? Do I think Jesus would have found this interesting?


Action: Introduce yourself to and learn the names of three people you see all the time but don’t really know.

Thought for Wednesday December 16

Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
Let the clouds rain down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Luke 7: 18 – 23 John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”

Is Jesus enough for me or am I looking for something more? Do I live like Jesus is “The One”?

Action: Put Jesus at the center of your holiday preparations.

Thought for Tuesday December 15

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Matthew 21: 28 – 32 When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.

Do I believe people can change? Am I ever skeptical of conversion stories?


Action: If you have been working to convert someone [to faith or away from sin], keep at it.

Thought for Monday December 14

Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Matthew 21: 23 – 27 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”

How often have I said “I don’t know.”, because I was afraid to give the real answer? Am I willing to give an unpopular answer or opinion?

Action: Rejoice, this is the third week of Advent, make it a good one.

Thought for Monday December 14

Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Matthew 21: 23 – 27 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.”

How often have I said “I don’t know.”, because I was afraid to give the real answer? Am I willing to give an unpopular answer or opinion?

Action: Rejoice, this is the third week of Advent, make it a good one.

Thought for Friday December 11

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Matthew 11: 16 – 19 But wisdom is vindicated by her works.

What works have I seen wisdom produce? Do I respect wisdom?

Action: Talk to three wise people this weekend and heed what they say.

Thought for Thursday December 10

The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Matthew 11: 11 – 15 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force.

How many kinds of violence do I see every day? How violent am I in the way I talk, drive, work, shop, etc?

Action: Resolve to not buy any violent Christmas presents.

Thought for Wednesday December 9

O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
O bless the Lord, my soul!

Matthew 11: 28 – 30 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

How tired am I? How important are the things I have accepted as burdens?

Action: Let go of some burden that wasn’t really important anyway.

Thought for Tuesday December 8

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Luke 1: 26 – 38 Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Do I feel like my name could go in this sentence? Do I believe I have found favor with God?


Action: Send expensive birthday presents to all of the Marys you know. Or, write out this sentence with your name in it and carry it around with you for a few days so you can think about what it means to you.

Thought for Monday December 7

Our God will come to save us!
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
Our God will come to save us!

Luke 5: 17 – 26 But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus.


What do I do when there are obstacles in my path to God? How hard will I try to find another way?


Action: If there is some good thing you have wanted to do but haven’t been able to do, try to find a different way.

Thought for Friday December 4

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Matthew 9: 27 – 31 Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”

What do I believe Jesus can do for me? Do I ask Jesus for help or do I prefer to get by on my own?

Action: Ask Jesus to do something for you.

Thought for Thursday December 4

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 7: 21 – 27 Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

What is my house built on? What kind of foundation is necessary to be a saint and missionary like St. Francis Xavier (today is his feast day)?

Action: If there are in soft/sandy spots in your foundation, make a plan for shoring them up.

Thought for Wednesday December 2

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Matthew 15: 29 – 37 The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.

Do I acknowledge that people I know can change or do I tend to always think of them the same way I always have? Do I want people to let me grow and change?

Action: Thank God for all of the infirmities he has helped you overcome.