I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

God Has Come to Dwell in Our Midst--Dec. 25, 2014


May all the earth break forth into joyous songs of praise
to you, O God, for you have come to dwell in our midst.
You have sent Jesus, who speaks your words and gives
your Spirit without measure.  Through him we know
the love that you have for us--you are love, and
and if we abide in love we abide in you,
and you abide in us.  We sing,
rejoice, and praise you.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 2; 147:1-11; 98; 96
Zech. 2:10-13
1 John 4:7-16
John 3:31-36

Selected Verses
Ps. 98:4
 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
          break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 

Zech. 2:10
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!  For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the LORD.

1 John 4:16
So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.  God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

John 3:34

He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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