1. The Annunciation

Today we observe the Christmas service. We will contemplate the announcement of the Incarnation to Mary by reading Luke 1:26-38. The word “Annunciation” makes many of us think about Leonardo da Vinci’s painting in which he presents the scene where Mary has received the news from the Angel Gabriel. DaVinci portrayed Mary listening to Gabriel with a very calm facial pose. However, in reality she may not have been so peaceful. Mary’s reply reveals her amazement: “How will this be,” Mary asked the Angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). (³¤­…)

1. In the Beginning Was the Word

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Next Sunday, we will observe the Christmas service. Today’s lecturing passage is John 1:1-18, a hymn-like celebration of the coming of the Word into the world. These short opening verses represent the essence of the Gospel according to John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). (³¤­…)

1. Beginning of the Good News

Since last week we are in the period of Advent. During these days we are waiting for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and refreshing in our mind the hope of the second coming of Christ, after the Ascension. Today, the second day of Advent, we read together Gospel according to Mark, which is written before other tree Gospels. (³¤­…)

1. Jesus and the Man Born Blind

Today we enter into the period of Advent, during which we commemorate the Nativity and keep in mind His second coming after the Ascension. Jesus’ first arrival on the earth was an extraordinary event, unlike anything in History. It is proof that God’s work will be finally revealed in humans. John, the Gospel writer grasped the fact this way: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him"¡ÊJohn 3:16-17). (³¤­…)

# On the 4th Sunday of every month, Pastor Mizuguchi gives a lecture of reflections upon, “The Sermon on the Mount.” This session today is the eighth of the series.

1. Love Changes Enemies Into Friends
Today’s lecturing theme is ‘Love your enemies.’ I would like to commence by defining what is “enemy.” We have, in Japan, an old saying concerning the enemy: a man has seven enemies just outside the entrance to his house. In general, enemies are those who seek to harm or defeat. They are to some extent competitors, who would seek to damage our favorable conditions. Nonetheless, Jesus compels us to accept such an antithesis: “You have heard that it was said, ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’” (Matthew 5:43-44).
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