Tag: Universalis

9th Day of Christmas: Wed, 02 Jan – Luke 2:1-7 ~ The Birth of Jesus

9th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
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Morning Reading: Luke 2:1-7 (NLT) –

The Birth of Jesus

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, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
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Morning Prayer

Mighty God: In all of our wandering and travail, make your home in our hearts by the power of your Spirit – that we might bear the image of your Son, Jesus Christ, throughout the coming year. We ask this in his Name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Away In A Manger” – Casting Crowns

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

New Year’s Day: Tue, 01 Jan – Colossians 3:2-4 ~ Look up!

New Year’s Day

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Colossians 3:2-4 (NLT) –

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
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Morning Prayer

Gracious God: Hold us close to your heart and fill us with your Spirit, that we may live day to day with our end in mind – sharing in the heavenly glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
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“Heaven Came Down And Glory Filled My Soul” – Paul Nicholas

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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

New Year’s Eve: Mon, 31 Dec – Ephesians 5:15-20 ~ Wise up!

New Year’s Eve

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
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Morning Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT) –

Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father: We bless your holy name as we end one year and begin another. Give us the wisdom we need to make the most of the time allotted us. May our lives be music to your ears, lived in joy and gratitude in every circumstance, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“10,000 Reasons Live in Times Square” – Matt Redman

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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

5th Day of Christmas: Sat, 29 Dec – Matthew 1:18-25 ~ Joseph’s obedience

5th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT) –

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

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. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
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Morning Prayer

Gracious God: Give us Joseph’s righteous heart and willing obedience even in the most unlikely of circumstances – for your ways a far beyond our understanding, and yet you work for our good in all things, through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
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“Joseph’s Lullaby” – Mercy Me

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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

4th Day of Christmas: Fri, 28 Dec – Micah 5:2-4 ~ a ruler from Bethlehem

4th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Micah 5:2-4 (NLT) –

A Ruler from Bethlehem

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth.

Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world.
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Morning Prayer

Awaken us, Lord God, to the wonder of the birth of Jesus – our Savior, our Shepherd, our Peace – whose origins are from the beginning, from the days of eternity. And prepare us for the glory of his return – when every knee shall bow and tongue confess his Lordship, all to the glory of your Name. Amen.
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“O Little Town of Bethlehem” – Kari Jobe

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Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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