Today we see Jesus as a 12-year-old boy staying behind in the temple, astonishing the teachers with his wisdom while Mary and Joseph anxiously search for him. This passage highlights the importance of steady, faithful religious practices in shaping spiritual character, as seen in Mary and Joseph’s consistent observance of Jewish customs. It reminds us that formation in faith doesn't come from dramatic moments alone, but from regular rhythms of worship, prayer, and community. Jesus, though fully divine, was formed by these habits and obedient to his parents, growing in wisdom and favor. This story invites us to reflect on the practices that are forming us—and how we’re passing them on.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A%2041-52&version=NRSVUE

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We see the birth of John the Baptist today. First, we see that when he is born, people expect him to be named after his father. When Elizabeth says no, he is to be called John, but no one believes. It was only after his father agreed that he was able to speak again. But once Zechariah was able to speak, he began to prophecy and tell people what his son, John, would do. He would point others to Jesus. That was his job. And ours too.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A57-80&version=NRSVUE

Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today, we read Mary’s great song of praise to God, the Magnificat. After being faithful, after being encouraged, Mary now sings this song of praise. There is much for which she praises God. She praises Him for His blessings to her. She will be called blessed by all generations. She praises Him for His remembering of His promises to Abraham and their ancestors. And finally, she praises Him for turning the world upside down. The hungry are fed, and the lowly are lifted up. We pray weekly for God’s will to be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. We see here the heart of what God wants it to look like.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A46-56&version=NRSVUE

Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Another great story from the first chapter of Luke. Today, we see Mary go to Elizabeth. We have this wonderful image of the unborn John the Baptist leaping in the womb in the presence of the unborn Jesus. The Spirit falls on Elizabeth, and she pronounces blessings. Blessings on Jesus and on Mary, as well as on Mary’s faith. Mary had made the right choice, had done what God required and asked. She was faithful. But that encouragement still had to feel nice. Let’s not admire from a distance. Let’s speak the words of encouragement to each other when we have the chance to speak them.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A%2039-45&version=NRSVUE

Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We have one of my favorite examples of faith today, Mary. I heard Rich Mullins say once in an interview, “It’s not that Catholics think too much of Mary, it’s that we Protestants don’t think enough of Mary.” Mary is a perfect example of faith. God comes and upends her world. And what does she say? Let it be unto me, according to thy word. She trusts in God, even when it is not the path she had planned. She trusted in God more than any of her plans. She had faith. She is an example.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A%2026-38&version=NRSVUE

Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

Today in Luke, we see the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. He was the last of his kind. His parents were of the line of priests, but he was going to be the last of the Old Testament prophets. He was the one who would be the last of the old covenant and who would point to the keeper of the new covenant, Jesus Christ. As his parents were living their lives, God showed up, invaded their lives, and gave them great blessings. Today, if we allow, we may not have the same blessings as they did, but God will show up and give us His blessing of grace.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.

You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201%3A5-25&version=NRSVUE

Click here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb6C

You can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/