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 25, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 2, 96, 98
Zechariah 2:10-13
1 John 4:7-16
John 3:31-36

II. Selections
Psalm 96:7
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Zechariah 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 3:31
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.

III. Meditation: So we have known and believe

Glory and strength belong to you, O God,
for you have come to dwell in our midst.

We are of the earth and belong to the earth-
we speak about earthly things;
you are above all-you speak about heavenly things,
about the love you have for us.

You are love; and if we abide in love,
we abide in you, and you abide in us.

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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