Celtic Odyssey

John 1:1-18 (GNT 1 ; adapted): In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with G‑d, and the Word was G‑d. From the very beginning the Word was with G‑d. Through him G‑d made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. G‑d sent his messenger, a man named John, who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light. This was the real light — the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. The Word was in the world, and though G‑d made the world through him, yet the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own country, but his own people didn’t receive him. Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become G‑d’s children. They didn’t become G‑d’s children by ...

Luke 2:1-20 (NLT adapted): At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “D...

Luke 1:26-38 (GNT 1 ; adapted): In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, G‑d sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman named Mary who was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. The angel came to her and said, “Peace be with you! The Lord’s with you and has greatly blessed you!” Mary was deeply troubled by the angel’s message, and wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; G‑d’s been gracious to you. You’ll become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you’ll name him Jesus. He’ll be great and will be called the Son of the Most High G‑d. The Lord G‑d will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he’ll be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!” Mary said to the angel, “I’m a virgin. How, then, can this be?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and G‑d’s power will rest upon you. For this reason the...

John 1.6-8, 19-28 (CEB); adapted: A man named John was sent from G‑d. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light. … This is John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John confessed (he didn’t deny but confessed), “I’m not the Christ.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” John said, “I’m not.” “Are you the prophet?” John answered, “No.” They asked, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied, “ I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord’s path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said.” Those sent by the Pharisees asked, “Why do you baptize if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered, “I baptize with water. Someone greater stands ...

Mark 1:1-8 (CEB; adapted): The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, G‑d’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you . He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness:        “ Prepare the way for the Lord;         make his paths straight .” John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted G‑d to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he wi...

Mark 13.24-37 (CEB): “In those days, after the suffering of that time, the sun will become dark, and the moon won’t give its light. The stars will fall from the sky, and the planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then they will see the Human One coming in the clouds with great power and splendor. Then he will send the angels and gather together his chosen people from the four corners of the earth, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven. “Learn this parable from the fig tree. After its branch becomes tender and it sprouts new leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that he’s near, at the door. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. “But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the angels in heaven and not the Son. Only the Father knows. Watch out! Stay alert! You don’t know ...