Your Gift of the Waters of Life--Dec. 24, 2012

 O God, to prepare the way for Jesus, you sent

John to give knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of sins.

You put in John's mouth a new song of praise,

that many would see and fear and

put their trust in you.

Jesus came, the eyes of the blind were opened,

and the ears of the deaf were unstopped,

and the lame leaped like deer.

Then the tongues of the speechless sang for joy,

and waters broke forth in the wilderness,

and everyone who was thirsty drank

your gift of the waters of life.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67

Isa. 35:1-10

Rev. 22:12-17, 21

Luke 1:67-80

Selected Verses

Ps. 40:3

[The LORD] put a new song in my mouth,
          a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
          and put their trust in the LORD.

Isa. 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.  For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…

Rev. 22:17c-d

"…And let everyone who is thirsty come.  Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.  …"  [Jesus, in his testimony to John of Patmos for the churches]

Luke 1:76-77

"…And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.  …"  [The prophecy of Zechariah about his infant son, John]