Morning Prayer: Thu , 22 Dec – 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Luke 1:46-56 ~ He has set the world in order

Thursday in the Fourth Week of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8 (NLT)

Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me.
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“The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The Lord gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and he has set the world in order.”
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Reading: Luke 1:46-56 (NLT)

Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
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Prayer:

O King of all nations and head of the Church: come and save us, whom you formed from the dust! In a world divided by fear and greed, Lord Jesus, come to us in love.

+ Help us to set our hearts where they will find fulfillment and not betrayal.
+ Keep us on the path to eternal life as we proclaim your saving power to others.
+ Flood our world with the grace of your coming: let us experience the fullness of your joy.
+ Enable us to live our lives to the full in this world, and transfigure it with the hope of future glory.

God and Father, you looked with pity on fallen man and redeemed us by the coming of your Son. Grant that we who profess our firm and humble faith in the incarnation of our Redeemer may have some share in his divine life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“The Magnificat, Canticle of Mary” – Latin Hymn, Daughters of Mary

Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo, quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes, quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius, et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui; deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles; esurientes implevit bonis et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae, sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Wed, 21 Dec – Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Luke 1:39-45 ~ oh what joy!

Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21 (NLT)

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
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The Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
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We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
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Reading: Luke 1:39-45 (NLT)

Visitation, 1528-29 San Michele, Carmignano (Florence) — Visitation, 1528-29
San Michele, Carmignano (Florence)

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, our glory lies in praising you; come to save us, and we shall bless your name. Through faith you have already led us into light; may our lives be worthy of your call.

Lord Jesus, you entered our world and shared our condition; bring health to the sick and give the dying a share in your glory. Come, Lord, do not delay.

In your goodness, Lord Jesus, listen to your people’s prayer. We rejoice in your coming in flesh and blood like ours, grant that when you come again in glory we may receive the gift of eternal life.

We ask this in your name. Amen
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“What Joy” – Sarah Emerson

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Tue, 20 Dec – Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 1:26-38 ~ ave Maria

Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 24:1-6 (NLT)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.
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Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

La Anunciación - oil -Francisco Goya (1785) — La Anunciación – oil -Francisco Goya (1785)

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
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Prayer:

Lord, may your kingdom come!

+ Wake us from our sleep: the day of our salvation is near.
+ Help us to show our repentance by a new way of living.
+ Prepare us for the coming of your Word by opening our hearts to receive him.
+ Help us to overcome our pride, and raise us from the depths of our weakness.
+ Throw down the walls of hatred between nations, clear the way for those who work for peace.

Lord, at the angel’s message Mary, the virgin, became the temple of God and was filled with the light of the Holy Spirit when she received your divine Word. Grant that, after her example, we may humbly and steadfastly follow your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“Ave Maria” – Celtic Woman

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Mon, 19 Dec – Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17; Luke 1:5-25 ~ you alone are my hope

Monday in the Fourth Week of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17 (NLT)

Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
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I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
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Reading: Luke 1:5-25 (NLT)

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.

Archangel Gabriel Struck Zechariah Mute by Alexander Ivanov, (1824) — Archangel Gabriel Struck Zechariah Mute
by Alexander Ivanov, (1824)

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
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Prayer:

Mighty and Everlasting God: you are my rock and my fortress; you alone are all I need in life and in death.

+ Turn my mind and heart back to you, Lord; send me your light and your truth.
+ Help me to grasp the meaning of your Son’s coming in a way that is personal and profound.
+ Show me your image in even the lowliest of my fellow-men; may I preserve their dignity and honor.
+ Make me your peacemaker; healing the broken bonds of human life by sharing my hope in Christ.
+ Help me to hear your voice through the situations I encounter today; give me a willing obedient spirit.

Deepen my faith, Lord God, as I prepare to celebrate Christmas; may I never be afraid, for you alone are all I need in life and in death. I ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“God Alone Is Enough” – David Haas

Let nothing upset you, let nothing startle you.
All things pass; God does not change.
Patience wins all it seeks.
Whoever has God lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.

-St Teresa Avila
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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holly Spirit. Amen!

4th Sunday of Advent, 18 Dec: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 ~ loved and called to holiness

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Season of Advent ends next Saturday, so the celebration of the birth of Christ is now quite close. Let us prepare for that great event by worshiping God who was made flesh to bring us to glory.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Eternal God, in the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, in the dream of Joseph your promise is spoken. At last, in the womb of the Virgin Mary your Word takes flesh.

Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel, and to preach the good news of his coming, that every age may know him as the source of redemption and grace.

Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Immanuel” – Songs Of Praise

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-14 (NLT)
[Isaiah’s prophecy of the events we celebrate at Christmas — words repeated in today’s Gospel.]

Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”

But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”

Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 24 (NLT)

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

“Psalm 24” – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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A Reading from the Letters: Romans 1:1-7 (NLT)
[Paul begins his letter to the Romans by summing up the message of Advent and Christmas.]

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 1:18-24 (NLT)
[Matthew recalls some events that happened before the birth of Jesus.]

“Angel Appears to Joseph in a Dream”
Gaetano Gandolfi, c. 1790

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
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“O Come O Come Emmanuel” – Enya

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Intercessory Prayer:

Sovereign Lord, King of Glory: in Jesus Christ you made your home among us – to save us from our sins and to teach us how to live. Hear, now, the prayers of your people as we await your glorious return.

+ For church leaders around the world as they prepare for the celebration of Christmas – that they may be filled with wonder and joy…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers everywhere – that our hearts may be open to receive you anew and to live as faithful citizens of your Kingdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers in war torn regions of the world – that the promise of your certain return may fill them with hope and courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the suffering people of Aleppo and Syria – that they may not be forgotten during this holiday season…. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace and reconciliation where there is hatred and war – that Christmas may bring a respite to people of good will…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who are bereaved and lonely – that they may be supported and included in our gatherings and celebrations…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have gone before us in faith – that they may share in Christ’s resurrection from the dead…. Lord, hear us.

Sovereign God, yours is the earth and all its fullness: reign over us and bless us by responding to our prayers on behalf of your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Immanuel” – Joshua Aaron

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Benediction:

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” – Luke 2:14
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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