In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”
~Matthew 2:1-2

Image: Dürer, Albrecht, 1471-1528. 1504. Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Adoration of the Christ Child by the Three Wise Men, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=46303 [retrieved December 14, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albrecht-D%C3%BCrer-005.jpg.

For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Image: Angels Worship the Christ Child, carved retable, St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K., from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57898 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/6611391645.

So all went to be registered, each to their own towns. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, for he was from the house and heritage of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was betrothed and who was pregnant. So it was, that, while they were there, the time came for her to birth her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and swaddled him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
~Luke 2:3-7
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Nativity on Ivory, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=31702 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: Prof. Patout J. Burns.

Now, this is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to have a child in her womb from the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a just man and unwilling to shame her; he wanted to divorce her secretly. But when he deliberated this, suddenly an angel of the Most High God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for in her is conceived a child from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” “
~Matthew 1:18-21
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Gandolfi, Gaetano, 1734-1802. Joseph's Dream, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54282 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:'Joseph's_Dream',_painting_by_Gaetano_Gandolfi,_c._1790.jpg.

Sarah was the mother of Isaac,
And Rebekah was the mother of Jacob,
Leah was the mother of Judah,
Tamar was the mother of Perez.
The names of the mothers of Hezron, Ram, Aminadab,
Nahshoon, and Salmon have been lost.
Rahab was the mother of Boaz,
and Ruth was the mother of Obed.
Obed’s wife, whose name is unknown, bore Jesse.
The wife of Jesse was the mother of David.
Bathsheba was the mother of Solomon…
~ From “A Genealogy of Jesus Christ,” by Ann Patrick Ware. Public Domain

Image: Swanson, John August. Story of Ruth, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56561 [retrieved November 7, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

There appeared to Zechariah a messenger of the Living God, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Now Zechariah was shaken when he saw the messenger and fear overwhelmed him. But the messenger said to him, “Fear not, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son for you, and you will call his name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many at his birth will rejoice
~Luke 1:11-13;
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Zechariah Coming out of the Temple Speechless, Cathedral of Amiens, 1508-1519, painted medallion on choir-screen, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29361 [retrieved November 4, 2025]. Original source: image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson.

Jesus said, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Son of Woman is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
~Matthew 24:32-35
Translation: The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney, “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A.”

Image: Harpursville after the storm, 2014. P. Raube.

Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
~Jeremiah 23:3-4

Image: Catacomb of Callixtus, 3rd Century, Rome, Italy - The Good Shepherd, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54382 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/2594526135/.

When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
~Luke 21:5-6

Image: Bokvoed, Temple Mount, Jerusalem, 2019. Creative Commons License, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.
~Haggai 2:4-5

Image: Swanson, John August. Presentation in the Temple (1988, Los Angeles, CA), from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56557 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Estate of John August Swanson, https://www.johnaugustswanson.com/.

He entered Jericho and was passing through it.  A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
~Luke 19:1-2

Image: Cara B. Hochhalter, “Zacchaeus,” Woodcut, 2019, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59299 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Cara B. Hochhalter.

For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
~Romans 3:22b-24

Image: Andrea di Vanni d'Andrea, ca. 1332-ca. 1414. St. Paul, Paint on Wooden Panel, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=50504 [retrieved September 16, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrea_Vanni._St_Paul.Boston_MFA.jpg.

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’”
~Luke 18:2-3

Image: John Everett Millais (1829-1896), Parable of the Unjust Judge (1863; illustration for “Parables of Our Lord”), Public Domain.

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
~Jeremiah 29:4-7

Image: Christ with the Grateful Samaritan Leper, 20th c., St. Andrew’s Church, Buckland, Oxfordshire. UK, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57163 [retrieved October 7, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Andrew,_Buckland,_Herts_-_Window_-_geograph.org.uk_-_368076.jpg.

“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ ”
~Luke 17:7-10

Image: Hochhalter, Cara B.. A Parable - The Mustard Seed, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59282 [retrieved September 26, 2025]. Original source: Cara B. Hochhalter.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores…”
~Luke 16:19-21

Image: Wesley, Frank, 1923-2002. Lazarus at the Door of the Rich Man, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59195 [retrieved August 19, 2025]. Original source: Estate of Frank Wesley, http://www.frankwesleyart.com/main_page.htm.

Then Jesus[a] said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer…’”
~Luke 16:1-2

Image: George Frederick Watts (1817-1904), Mammon (or, Mammon, Dedicated to His Worshipers), (1885), Oil on Canvas, Tate Museum, London, UK. Public Domain. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable…
~ Luke 15:1-3

Image: Fetti, Domenico, approximately 1589-1623. Lost Coin, Painting, between 1618 and 1622, Dresden, Germany, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54793 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parable_of_the_Lost_Drachma_by_Fetti.jpg.

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel.
~ Jeremiah 18:1-3

Image: Potter, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54856 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurapadgett/3825087416/.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable.
Luke 14:7

Image: Cara B. Hochhalter, A Parable - Where to Sit. Print, 2019. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=59048.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
~ Psalm 103: 1

Image: Cross and Tree of Life Banner, UPC Sanctuary.

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain,’ and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
~ Luke 12:54-56

Image: "A New Command...", Public Art, Beijing, China, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54326 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/portablematthew/3491085679/.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
~ Luke 12:32-24

Image: Lamp of Wisdom, sculpture, freestanding, Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire, U.K., from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54977 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rowanbank/5815103193/.

And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly…”
~ Luke 12:15-16

Image: Watts, George Frederick, 1817-1904. For He Had Great Possessions, 1894, Tate Britain, London, U.K., from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=58462 [retrieved July 24, 2025]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oxfordshire_church_photos/413448324 - Martin Beek.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
~Psalm 85:10-11

Image: Hosea Takes Gomer to Be His Wife, Cathedral of Amiens, France, 1220-1240; from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29457 [retrieved July 18, 2025]. Original source: image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson.

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying.
~Luke 10:38-39

Image: Gentileschi, Orazio, 1563-1638?. Martha reproving her sister Mary, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=55622 [retrieved June 19, 2025]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orazio_Gentileschi_-_Two_Women_with_a_Mirror_-_WGA8573.jpg.

An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

~Luke 10:25-29

Image: The Good Samaritan: Modersohn-Becker, Paula, 1876-1907. Good Samaritan, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54709 [retrieved July 6, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paula_Modersohn-Becker_005.jpg.

“Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.”
~Luke 10:3

Image: Anonymous. Seventy Disciples, from a Greek manuscript, 15th century, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56197 [retrieved June 19, 2025]. Original source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seventy_Disciples.jpg.

“For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
~Galatians 5:14

Image: Trinity Church, Boston – Cross, circa 1877, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=51526 [retrieved June 19, 2025]. Original source: Image donated by Jim Womack and Anne Richardson. This beautifully decorated kneeling stool needlework cover from Trinity Church, Boston, contains stylized flower and vine and heart motifs. The heart motif speaks to the love of Christ for the world, as he sacrificed himself on the cross in order to save others.

There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
~Galatians 3:28

Image: Courtesy of Vecteezy.com.