Tag: Virgin Birth

4th Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24 ~ Good News for you

THE SEASON OF ADVENT: please see resources below.

During Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christmas – remembering that God sent His Son into our world… because He loved us.

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

Opening sentence:

AdventCandlesBokeh

The Good News is about his Son; He is Jesus Christ our Lord.  And you are included among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. You are loved by God and called to be His own holy people.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-14 (NLT)

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’).

A Reading from the Psalms: 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.

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome: Romans 1:1-7 (NLT)

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.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 1:18-24 (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.

Intercessions:

Heavenly Father: During these final days before the celebration of Christmas, help me to pause and reflect on the significance of Your Son, Jesus, coming into our world…. In Your mercy, hear my prayers:

Lord Jesus – You offer peace to the world… but even in the country of Your birth there is continuing conflict.

+ I pray for the peace and goodwill of the Middle East, of Israel, and of Jerusalem in particular. Protect Your people and offer them Your comfort and deliverance from evil – especially those who suffer great persecution for their faith and trust in You.
In Your mercy, Lord, hear my prayers.

Lord Jesus – You bring Your Spirit to the world… yet our society is characterized by consumerism, entertainment and the pursuit of wealth and pleasure – all distracting from this gift.

+ I pray for those of us who live in a world of abundance and plenty – give us a spirit of contentment and generosity. May we Hear the cries of those who are destitute beyond our imagination – and may we be guided by Your Spirit in our giving.
In Your mercy, Lord, hear my prayers.

Lord Jesus – You revealed the love of God by entering our world in humility as a baby… a love which can also be seen in the miracle of every new-born child.

+ I pray for every mother and child – born, unborn, and about to be born – and especially those children who were unplanned, or unexpected. Fill their parents with Your love and enable them to see the miracle and wonder of new life… and Your plan and purpose for every child.
In Your mercy, Lord, hear my prayers.

Lord Jesus – You offer inspiration and support to all as we face the challenges of each day.

+ I pray for my family… and friends… and neighbors – You know their needs, the burdens they carry, and the cries of their hearts. Come to them in this season of advent… reveal Yourself to them. Open their eyes and ears and hearts to Your presence among us. Show Yourself to them in things big and small… and may this season be a time of encouragement, faith, and growth.
In Your mercy, Lord, hear my prayers.

Lord Jesus – You bring new life to the world, and raise the dead to eternal life.

+ I pray for all those who mourn the loss of loved ones – especially those who have died in You. Comfort them in their loss, and give them the certain hope of resurrection and reunion in eternity.
In Your mercy, Lord, hear my prayers.

God of love and goodness, of wonder and mystery, You will and desire that all people be saved and come to recognise the value of your liberating grace. Move with power among us and prepare us to share in your goodness, mercy and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Hymn: “Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming”

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming / From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming / As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

Isaiah ’twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright / She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender / With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor / The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God, From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load

+ 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

Morning Prayer for Friday, 3rd Week in Advent: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 1:26-38 ~ the sign… begotten

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Saviour of our race; and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, first revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

Morning readings

Isaiah 7:10-14 NLT:

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’).

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.

Luke 1:26-38 NLT:

1280-virgin-mary-pregnant

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!”

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 nothing is impossible with God.”

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

Reflection/Prayer:

Lord Jesus: As Your birthday celebration draws closer, reawaken within me the wonderful impossibility of it all – “conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary;” “begotten, not made… by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary.” The enormity of Your love for me is beyond my comprehension – coming from heaven and taking on human form… emptying Yourself of all Your heavenly prerogatives… becoming vulnerable in the womb of a woman… and being born as an infant – for me and my salvation.

Holy Spirit: Fill me with wonder, joy, excitement and anticipation as I ponder the reality of God moving into my neighborhood, my home, my heart – truly, nothing is impossible with You.

Heavenly Father: Thank you for loving me so much…. that You sent Your Son to live, die, and be raised from the dead – all for me. Keep my heart and mind attuned to Your larger plan and purpose for the world during this holiday season. And may I be prepared for His immanent return in glory. Amen.

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” – Latin text by Prudentius (b. 348).

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 Monday, 2nd Week in Advent: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38 ~ “favored one”

Morning Prayer

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

Opening sentence

My soul praises the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 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.

Morning readings

Genesis 3:9-15, 20 NLT:

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

_________________

Then the man — Adam — named his wife Eve, because she would be the mother of all who live.

Psalm 98:1-4 NLT:

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
________________

God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.

Luke 1:26-38 NLT:

Henry Ossawa Tanner - "The Annunciation", oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Henry Ossawa Tanner – “The Annunciation”, oil on canvas, Philadelphia Museum of Art

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!”

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 nothing is impossible with God.”

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

Reflection/Prayer:

Ave Maria, gratia plena.
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris,
Ventris tui, Jesus.
Ave Maria.

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.