[From the original version]

You may feel impatient, as you anxiously wait for the recognition of Joseph by his brothers. Yet the mounting tension only serves to make the coming disclosure all the more poignant—all in the Lord’s own time. Each step of the story purifies Joseph’s brothers of the evil they did to him. The coming reconciliation of the brothers will be all the more complete.

Do you become impatient when some issue needs resolution in your own life? Perhaps the Lord is dealing with you as he did with Joseph’s brothers, purifying your mind and heart so that you will more fully recognize your Jesus who has been with you all along, yet you did not know it. What is in the way of the deeper recognition that is delayed?

Genesis 43:16—44:17

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The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

[From the original version]

The Gospel of Luke begins and ends in the Temple. Place yourself a short distance from Zechariah and spend time in quiet prayer with him. Open your heart by faith to what is about to happen. The longing of the ages is gathered into this high priest and his aged wife, earnestly praying, patiently waiting for God to make his saving move upon the earth.

Sense the awesome moment as Gabriel announces the first words of God’s intervention on our behalf. Listen slowly to each phrase of the angel. Gabriel cites the final verses of the Old Testament found in Malachi 4:5–6. The dangling thread at the end of the Old Testament is gathered and attached to the wondrous new covenant, which begins to be woven in John the Baptist.

Sink into the scene. What movements does the Spirit make upon your heart?

Luke 1:1–25

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Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

[From the version for families with children]

Like the stars that are scattered across the Advent night sky, so does St. Peter write to his beloved Christians who are flung across Asia Minor, the area that is now the country of Turkey.

This letter is like an Advent candle.  The candle might seem powerless to push back the darkness as some great floodlight would do. St. Peter describes the people going through very hard times: persecution, jealousies, bully-fights from those who do not know God.  St. Peter encourages them and lets them feel that though they are small against big attacks, still—like the Advent Candle—the darkness cannot any longer say that there is no light!  Not only that, but the flame that lights the candle will also be like the fire that purifies gold and makes it shine more brightly. 

So when things happen to you that frighten you or make you angry or sad, just take up this passage and pray slowly over some of the verses in the reading that will bring comfort and joy to your heart.   Comfort and joy—two gifts that Jesus wants to give you this Advent and Christmas!  

 1 Peter 1:1-12

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Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.