Morning Prayer for Thursday, 3rd Week in Advent: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25; Psalm 71:3-6, 17-18; Luke 1:5-25 ~ change of watch

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Now that I am old and gray… let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Morning readings

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 NLT:

In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.”

The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like one of God’s angels, terrifying to see. I didn’t ask where he was from, and he didn’t tell me his name. But he told me, ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. For your son will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from the moment of his birth until the day of his death.’”
__________

When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, which is located between the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol.

Psalm 71:3-6, 17-18 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!
__________

"Angel Gabriel struck Zechariah mute" Alexander Ivanov (1824) — “Angel Gabriel struck Zechariah mute”
Alexander Ivanov (1824)

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

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.

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.”

Reflection/Prayer:

Mighty God: Nothing is impossible with You. Send an outpouring of Your Spirit to our sons and daughters… that they might boldly proclaim Your wonderful deeds throughout the world. Come to them in power – with signs and wonders… with dreams and visions – so that they may experience for themselves Your presence among us. Fill the old and gray with joy and gladness as Your Spirit moves with power among a new generation. Help us to each do our part – faithfully to the end – through the changes of watch in this dark night that has fallen upon us… each watchman Spirit-filled and longing for Your Light. Amen.

“The Watches of the Night” – by Kristyn Getty

I looked towards the wintering trees
To hush my dreadful soul
as they rise to face the icy sky, they hold fast beneath the snow
and their rings grow wide, their roots go deep that they might hold their height
and stand like valient soldiers through the watches of the night.
And no human shoulder ever bears the weight of all the world
but hearts can sink below the ache of troubles’ sudden surge
Yet far beyond all knowing
there’s a strong unsleeping light
that reaches around to hold me through the watches of the night
And i have cried upon the steps that seemed too steep for me to climb
And i have prayed against the burdens that i did not want to be mine
But here i am, and this is where You’re calling me to fight
And You, i will remember through the watches of the night
You, i will remember through the watches of the night

“Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer” – by Keith & Kristyn Getty

Jesus, Draw me ever nearer / As I labor through the storm / You have called me to this passage / And I’ll follow, though I’m worn

May this journey bring a blessing / May I rise on wings of faith / And at the end of my hearts testing / With Your likeness let me wake

Jesus, guide me through the tempest / Keep my spirit stayed and sure / When the midnight meets the morning / Let me love You even more

May this journey bring a blessing / May I rise on wings of faith / And at the end of my hearts testing / With Your likeness let me wake

Let the treasures of the trial / Form within me as I go / And at the end of this long passage / Let me leave them at your throne

May this journey bring a blessing / May I rise on wings of faith / And at the end of my hearts testing / With Your likeness let me wake

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the USCCB Daily Readings and the format from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com. The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you.

Morning Prayer for Wednesday, 3rd Week in Advent: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Matthew 1:18-25 ~ God’s righteousness revealed

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. May all the godly flourish during his reign.

Morning readings

Jeremiah 23:5-8 NLT:

“For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.

“In that day,” says the Lord, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.”

Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 NLT:

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
___________

He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
__________

Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

Matthew 1:18-25 NLT:

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, her fiancé, was a good 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. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Reflection/Prayer:

Mighty God: Thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus – Our Righteousness (Our Justice), to save us from our sins and to establish Your Kingdom here among us. May all Your people dwell in safety under His protection and authority, wherever they live… today.

King Jesus: Hear the cries of Your people suffering under great injustice, oppression and violence. Come to the rescue of the poor and troubled, those who feel alone and abandoned, who have no one else to help them. Lord have mercy on them.

Spirit of God: Fill us with Your compassionate presence toward all we meet today – be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful. Fill me with the wonder of Christmas – God with us… God with me. Amen.

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

Morning Prayer for Tuesday, 3rd Week in Advent: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17; Matthew 1:1-17 ~ thoroughbred

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

Morning readings

Genesis 49:2, 8-10 NLT:

David's Tower covered in snow — Jerusalem: David’s Tower
covered in snow

“Come and listen, you sons of Jacob; listen to Israel, your father.
__________

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness — who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor….”

Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17 NLT:

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly. May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitful. Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.
__________

May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
__________

May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.

Matthew 1:1-17 (excerpts) NLT:

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers….

Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah)….

Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel….

Matthan was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

Reflection/Prayer:

Hark! how the bells / Sweet silver bells / All seem to say, / “Throw cares away.” / Christmas is here / Bringing good cheer / To young and old / Meek and the bold

Ding, dong, ding, dong / That is their song / With joyful ring / All caroling / One seems to hear / Words of good cheer / From everywhere / Filling the air

Oh how they pound, / Raising the sound, / O’er hill and dale, / Telling their tale, / Gaily they ring / While people sing / Songs of good cheer / Christmas is here

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas / Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas / On, on they send / On without end / Their joyful tone / To ev’ry home

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

Morning Prayer for Monday, 3rd Week in Advent: Numbers 24:2b-7, 15-17a; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 21:23-27 ~ rising star

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

Morning readings

Numbers 24:2b-7, 15-17 NLT:

Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and this is the message he delivered:

“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob; how lovely are your homes, O Israel! They spread before me like palm groves, like gardens by the riverside. They are like tall trees planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their offspring have all they need. Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted….”
__________

This is the message Balaam delivered:

“This is the message of Balaam son of Beor, the message of the man whose eyes see clearly, the message of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:

I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel….”

Psalm 25:4-9 NLT:

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

Matthew 21:23-27 NLT:

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things….”

Reflection/Prayer:

“In the Bleak Midwinter” a poem by Christina Rossetti

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Canticle

Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

_____________________________________

3rd Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 ~ joyful patience

THE SEASON OF ADVENT: please see resources below.

During Advent, we wait patiently for the Lord’s return… with a song of praise in our hearts. “Rejoice in the Lord, always: again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.”

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

Opening sentence:

O God, who sees how your people faithfully await the celebration of Christmas, enable us to realize the joys of our salvation, and to celebrate them always with reverent worship and glad rejoicing.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-6 (NLT)

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
__________

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 146:6-10 (NLT)

He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord!

A Reading from the Apostle James’ Letter to the Church: James 5:7-10 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 11:2-11 (NLT)

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”

Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen — the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,

‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’

“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

Intercessions:

Lord God of Heaven and Earth: I come before You today with a patient, joyful spirit…. anticipating Christmas, and yet longing for Your return – when all things will be made new. Hear my prayers on behalf of Your people –

+ Fill us with the joy of knowing You are near… in our praying, our longing, our hoping as we live our daily lives.

+ Give us a spirit of contentment and generosity… when everyone around us says “get more”, may we cheerfully give more – especially to those desperately in need.

+ Set us free from our fears and anxieties… to live joyfully for You and for others.

+ Forgive us our sins… and keep us sound in mind and body until the coming of Your Son.

+ Help us to stand watchful and ready… until your Son is revealed in all his glory.

May we live as godly people… clothed in our Lord Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit. Lord hear my prayer.

Hymn: “Gaudete” (Wikipedia)

Gaudete, gaudete / Christus est natus / Ex Maria Virgine / Gaudete
(Rejoice, rejoice! / Christ is born / Of the Virgin Mary / Rejoice!)

Tempus adest gratiae / Hoc quod optabamus / Carmina laetitiae / Devote reddamus
(The time of grace has come / What we have wished for / Songs of joy / Let us give back faithfully.)

Deus homo factus est / Natura mirante / Mundus renovatus est / A Christo regnante
(God has become man / Nature marveling / The world has been renewed / By Christ reigning.)

Ezechielis porta / Clausa pertransitur / Unde Lux est orta / Salus invenitur
(The closed gate of Ezekiel / Is passed through / Whence the light is raised / Salvation is found.)

Ergo nostra contio / Psallat iam in lustro / Benedicat Domino / Salus Regi nostro
(Therefore let our gathering / Now sing in brightness / Let it give praise to the Lord / Greeting to our King.)

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

_________________________________________

THE SEASON OF ADVENT: + Online Advent Calendar – US Catholic Conference of Bishops + Online Advent Calendar for Adults – Loyola Press + Busted Halo’s Surprise Advent Calendar + 2013 Advent Devotion Apps, eBooks and More! | ChurchMag

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: