December 17, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 17, 50, 53
Isaiah 9:8-17
2 Peter 2:1-10a
Mark 1:1-8

II. Selections
Psalm 17:8-9
Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who despoil me,
my deadly enemies who surround me.

Isaiah 9:16
...for those who led this people led them astray,
and those who were led by them were left in confusion.

2 Peter 2:9
...then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment ...

Mark 1:2-3
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
"See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.' "

III. Meditation: From the wicked who despoil

O God of mercy,
who sent a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus,
you know how to rescue the oppressed from trial.

Look upon the people who have been led astray and
left in confusion, guard them from the wicked who
despoil them, hide them in the shadow of your wings,
so all may be free to follow the straight path of Jesus.
In his name we pray.