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Introduction (Nativity)
In the town of Nazareth, a young woman named Mary lives. She was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. One day an angel Gabriel appeared before her and told her she had been chosen to conceive and bear a special baby. The baby would be Gods son and she must call him Jesus.
Mary was due to have her baby when they hey had to go on a long journey to Bethlehem, since Joseph must register his family on a census. Mary had to ride on a donkey for a few days over the hills of Galilee. Bethlehem was already crowded when they came since the registration was already due. Mary was very tired and needed a place to stay. At each inn, the story was the same. There was no room for them. Eventually, one kind innkeeper recommended a stable he owns. The couple had no choice and accepted the offer.
After a few hours, Mary gave birth to her son on the stable. She wrapped him in a thin cloth and laid him on a manger that was full of hay. As the angels told her, she named the baby boy Jesus.
At the same time, on a hillside overlooking Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching over their sheep. A bright light appeared in the sky. It was an angel sent by God. The angel proclaimed the good news to the shepherds that the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. The shepherds hurriedly went to the stable to see the baby and worshipped him with joy. They believe that Jesus is the savior.
In the not so far east, three wise men saw a very special star. They believed that the star represents the birth of a great ruler. They came over King Herod to tell the good news. The present King was threatened of the new King. The wise men went off to see the baby. The star guided them to the stable where they knelt and offered gold, frankincense and myrrh.
That night, Joseph dreamt of King Herod ordering the death of Jesus and an angel asking them to leave Bethlehem. They believed this to be a premonition so they left the place and headed to Egypt. From here, the story of Jesus began.
The Parable of the Sower
Once a sower went out to grow grains. He scattered the seeds on the field. Some of these seeds fell along his path. These were eaten by the farm birds. Some fell on the rocky ground, the seed sprouted but the later dried up since the roots weren’t able to grow deep on the ground. Some seeds fell among thorn bushes. The seeds grew but were destroyed by the thorns. But some seeds fell on good soil. It sprouted, grew and bore grains.
The sower sows the message of the Lord. The seeds that fell along the path and eaten by the farm birds represent the people who came to listen to the message but Satan had taken it from their minds. The seeds that fell on the rocky ground personify those who have heard the message but lacks retention and the messages did not actually sunk in. The seeds that were destroyed by the thorn bushes are like those who have understood the teachings, but with their worries and desire for untrue riches, their faith were destroyed. But the seeds that grew on good soil, these were the people were heard, understood and spread the good news. And it’s all that matters.
Miracle Story
The news about the healing of Jesus was heard over Capernaum, a town in Galilee. Thus, so many people have come to listen in his teachings and ask their illnesses be healed. Suddenly, four men came carrying a paralyzed man but were not able to make it inside the room because of the huge crowd. They made a hole in the roof and let the paralyzed man lie in there. First, Jesus forgave the sins of the man. But some of the spectators accused him of blasphemy as they believe that only God can forgive sins. To their surprise, Jesus proved himself by commanding the paralyzed man to get up and walk. Everyone watched as the man stood up from the mat where he was lied down. They were all completely amazed and praised the Lord.
Sayings
“I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger.”
Jesus is the bread of life. Just as bread nourishes man’s physical body, Jesus gives and sustains the eternal life of the believers. We may be physically satiated, but our spirits also hunger, and only Jesus can satisfy our spiritual needs.
“I am the light of the world; he who fallows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Jesus is the light of the world. Just as light that illuminate the darkness; Jesus gives us guidance so that we can see the right way. All we have to do is do things according to God’s will and we will never be on the wrong path.
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.”
Jesus is the good shepherd. Unlike a hired shepherd who runs for his life when a wolf comes, Jesus knows his people and the people know him as well. And he is willing to sacrifice his life just to save us. Jesus represents true and unconditional love.
“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.”
Jesus is resurrection and life. People who have faith in him and to our Father will bear witness to the sacred promise of eternal life. There is life waiting after death. Only the physical body dies, but our spirit will be living with God in the Kingdom of Heaven if we have faith.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
Jesus is the true vine. With the personification of a grapevine that bears fruit, Jesus recognized the Father as the vinedresser, the