What a week it has been! We have started at the very beginning - God creating the heavens and the earth - and ended with the boy Jesus astonishing the teachers in the temple. If you have fallen behind, the weekend is your chance to catch up. And if you are on track, take a moment to thank God for the privilege of spending time in His Word this week.

We close our first week with God's rainbow promise after the flood, a beautiful morning cry for God's protection, and the growing-up years of Jesus - including a jaw-dropping moment in the temple.

From a world drowning in sin to a Saviour born in a stable, today's readings invite us to stand firm in faithfulness, find peace in God's presence, and marvel afresh at the gift of Jesus.

From jealousy and lists of names to a cry of faith in the dark, today's readings challenge us to make our lives count for God - just as Enoch, David, and Zechariah did.

Today we trace the tragedy of the fall in Genesis 2-3, take refuge in God's sovereign purposes in Psalm 2, and join Mary in wholehearted praise as she visits Elizabeth in Luke 1.