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.


Hannah and Anna (Greek for 'Hannah')--Jan. 1, 2012



Strong with the strength that comes from your power,
Both Hannah and Anna prayed night and day.
Hannah's son Samuel learned to call on your name,
And old Anna praised you and spoke of your Son
To all those who waited for you to redeem.

You answered the prayers of Hannah and Anna--
You gave them endurance and patience to wait;
You made them both joyful, full of thanksgiving--
Two women called Hannah (a name that means 'grace').
Lord, give us strength from your glorious power.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 150; 99; 8
1 Sam. 1:1-2, 7b-28
Col. 1:9-20
Luke 2:22-40

Selected Verses
Ps. 99:6
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
      Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
      They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

1 Sam. 1:27-28
"…For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD." [Hannah, when she delivered Samuel to Eli]

Col. 1:11-12a
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father…

Luke 2:37b-38
[Anna] never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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