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.

December 22, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 16, 102, 130
Isaiah 31:1-9
Revelation 21:22-22:5
Luke 1:39-56

II. Selections
Psalm 16:15
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Isaiah 31:1
Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help
and who rely on horses,
who trust in chariots because they are many
and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel
or consult the LORD!

Revelation 22:5
And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Luke 1:43
" ...And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ... " [ Elizabeth, as Mary enters]

III. Meditation: In your presence, fullness of joy

Why should it happen,
that you should come to us?

You show us the path of life.
In your presence is fullness of joy,
in your right hand pleasures forevermore.
We need neither lamp nor sun, for you are our light.

Alas for us if we go to others for help-
rely on horses and horsemen and chariots-
but do not look to you, the Holy One of Israel.

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