On the holy-go-round of lectionary readings, we will soon be back in Year A, the year of Matthew. Because Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, his writing has many references to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Throughout Advent we will see that Jesus Christ is the longed-for Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law.

Perhaps you’ll soon be unpacking your Christmas crib for the beginning of Advent on November 29-30. Usually our nativity sets includes shepherds and kings besides the Holy Family. Perhaps you know that the kings wouldn’t be there without the gospel of Matthew. If you enjoy re-arranging the Nativity scene, perhaps you could focus on Mary, Joseph, and the Baby one week, angels on another, shepherds later and kings finally arriving on their camels just in time to share the first Christmas presents anyone ever received—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. You’ll be more aware of your Christmas crib—and you probably won’t have to dust the figurines