December 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 40, 67, 114
Isaiah 60:1-6
Galatians 3:23-4:7
Matthew 1:18-25

II. Selections
Psalm 40:2
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.

Isaiah 60:2
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.

Galatians 4:6
And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Matthew 1:21
" ...She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [ An angel of the Lord to Joseph]

III. Meditation: Out of the thick darkness

Out of the thick darkness that covers the earth
and its peoples, you have risen upon us,
and your glory has appeared over us.
Up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
you have drawn us up and set our feet upon a rock.

Mary bore a son, and named him Jesus,
and he saved his people from their sins.
And because we are God's children,
God has sent the Spirit of his Son
into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"