Luke 1

Summary: Luke dives right in: he exclaims that this is all true, from Zechariah and Elizabeth's miraculous birth of John to visits by an angel of the Lord to both Zechariah and Mary, Elizabeth's cousin, about two miraculous births.

Response: This is a classic my-family way to start a story: completely unrelated and extremely long-winded. But the Greek is very insistent, first with "it happened that" (no really, this happened!) and the Greek "Kai" (then this happened), to keep the story going and going. God didn't pop in one day and die on the cross the next weekend. Like any life, Jesus' life is its own story mixed in with that of all around Him.

John 1

Summary: John sets up his story in brush strokes: the grandeur of Jesus' origin, the mystery of John the Baptist's prophecy, and finally Jesus' grand entrance, calling people to Him with an invitation so infectious that they have to tell those around them about Him.

Response: "Come and see." Lord, open my eyes afresh; help me to get excited about Your story, the excitement and majesty but also the truly human reactions You had and caused.

Colossians 1

Summary: again Paul sets the stage, showing the context of where God, Jesus, himself, and his audience stand in relation to one another. God is the creator, Jesus is his only son, Paul and his assistants are merely teachers, and his audience is a batch of new believers.

Response: it feels good to get back into the swing of things, and to see Paul prepare his pupils beforehand, like a teacher preparing lessons. It is my hope that I can be instructed and figure out how to instruct even better.

Ephesians 4

Summary: Since followers of Christ know their place in respect to the Trinity, they should also know that they are different from other people in their actions, attitudes, and purpose.

Response: Help me to grow in You, to do what I do with Your will in mind.

Ephesians 3

Summary: Paul confirms that, in the place of things, Jesus saves not only Jews but Gentiles as well. He affirms the Church's purpose to discover and share the wisdom of God.

Response: I continue to pray for opportunities to put that wisdom to use as an individual and as a collective Church. Help me and help us!

Ephesians 2

Summary: Paul continues his world building; just as he explained how the Trinity relate to one another in the last chapter, here he explains how Jews and Gentiles alike relate to Jesus.

Response: Help me to know my place, to strive to fulfill it, and to guide others on their path to the same, Lord.

Ephesians 1

Summary: Paul greets the church(es) to which he writes, giving praise to each part of the Trinity before moving on to the Church and her place among them: she is to be the body of Christ.

Response: That feels like a big call, especially after all the lauding done on the Trinity. I know I can't do it alone, so help me to ask aid of others and to ask power of You, Lord.