Tag: birth of John

Morning Prayer: 24 Dec – Luke 1:67-79 ~ the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us

First Day Before Christmas

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

Opening sentences:

The Lord is close at hand: come let us worship him.

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Today you will know that the Lord is coming, and in the morning you will see his glory.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:67-79 (NLT)

Photo of the Tower of David, David's Citadel, מגדל דוד, Migdal David, taken at dawn. Jerusalem Israel.
Photo of the Tower of David, David’s Citadel, מגדל דוד, Migdal David, taken at dawn. Jerusalem Israel.

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant — the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
__________


__________

Canticle

Lord, let your lovingkindness be upon me – your salvation as you promised.

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.

Tomorrow the sin of the world will be taken away, and the Savior of the world will reign over us, and he will take away all weakness.

Blessing:

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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

Morning Prayer: 23 Dec – Luke 1:57-66 ~ His name is John!

Second Day Before Christmas

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

Opening sentences:

The Lord is close at hand: come let us worship him.

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

Lord, let your lovingkindness be upon us – your salvation as you promised.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:57-66 (NLT)

Naming of the Baptist Giusto de’Menabuoi (1376-78) Fresco, Cathedral Baptistery, Padua, Italy.
Naming of the Baptist
Giusto de’Menabuoi (1376-78)
Fresco, Cathedral Baptistery, Padua, Italy.

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.
__________


__________

Canticle

Lord, let your lovingkindness be upon me – your salvation as you promised.

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.

Let us know your way on earth, Lord: let all peoples know your saving power.

Blessing:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

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