Matthew 1:18-25

Isaiah 42:1-9            We often get very zoomed in at this time of year. We have narrowed our vision to that of a nativity set. There is a stable (or not), shepherds, animals, the holy family, maybe some magi or wise men. The Christ child takes center stage, as does Bethlehem, that small town of David. We have traditions, music, habits, food,…

Esther 4:1-17            Mordecai and Esther are the big players in this narrative. They alternate being the primary character in any given scene. Mordecai has the space outside the palace, and Esther has the space inside the palace. The news and the view aren’t the same in those two places.            Mordecai hears about Haman’s actions, and Esther doesn’t seem to know.…

Habakkuk 1:1-7; 2:1-4; 3:3b-6, 17-19 Habakkuk complains about what is, as we often do. He speaks to God about it, as we often forget to do. Habakkuk commits to watching to see what God will do. And God responds with a vision, writ large and plain. What is God’s vision? What will happen next? That too, we wonder. What is God’s vision…