Visual Resources for the Lectionaries

This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for December 31, 2023.  This is the Second Sunday of Christmas. The RCL looks at Jesus in the temple at the end of Luke 2. The NL begins a journey through Mark. Guess what, no Christmas in Mark!?!

Let’s be honest, this can be one of the most ironic worship services of the year. It is officially the second Sunday of Christmas, but, what are you really planning for worship this week? Read my reflections on this HERE.

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Jump to Narrative Lectionary resources.

Revised Common Lectionary

The RCL Gospel Reading is Luke 2:22–40.

This image comes from page 2 in A Cartoonist’s Guide to Luke.

Preview PowerPoint

Feel free to use any or all of these slides and images in your own preaching and teaching.

[slideshare id=239810128&doc=acartoonistsguidetoluke2-201206142644&w=800]

Narrative Lectionary

The NL begins its journey through the Gospel of Mark with Mark 1:1-20. That’s a lot of territory to cover. CLICK HERE to view all of my visual commentary on this passage. Below is the main page and one extra PowerPoint on the Good News that you might find interesting.

This image is page 1 in A Cartoonist’s Guide to Mark.

Some commentaries on Good News:

What does it mean to repent?

The term repent translates the Greek term metanoia. It literally means to “change your mind” or to “change the way you perceive reality.” I found this at Metanoia.org:

Imagine you are standing in a circle of people.

In the center of the circle, there is a source of light.

But rather than facing the center and the light, you are standing with your back to the light, facing outward.

When you stand this way, facing away from the light, all you can see is your own shadow.

You cannot see the light.

You can only look into your shadow.

You cannot see the others in the circle with you.

From what you can see, you are disconnected and alone in the dark.

Now imagine that you turn around to face the light that is in the center of the circle.

When you turn toward the light, you no longer see only darkness.

When you turn toward the light, your shadow is behind you.

When you turn toward the light, you can now see the other people who are standing with you.

You can see that the light is shining on everyone and that you are all connected in its radiance.

Making the decision to turn around, to turn away from shadow, to face the light: this is metanoia.

[slideshare id=264874097&doc=beginningofgoodnews2024-231223170452-02d015b5&w=800]

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